The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-10-04
CHAPTER III.

Richard Dempster had never entire
" trusted Hutchinson. Although he had
been a member OF his firm for years
he had never made him partner, and
the utmost he had done was to allow
him very liberal salary, and COM
mission on what he had made. There
fore 1t was not difficult matter to get
lid OF him; but the interview between
the three men was one which neither
forgot.
I, Alan Mackenzie, who, as he told
Veronica. wanted no one to do his
dirty work, was present, and unfolded
document after document of incrim-
dnating matter. If he had not made
the discovery it would have come to
1t that the Brazilian government
would have arraigned the firm of
Dempster on the charge of selling fire.
arms to the insurgents. Richard
Dempster knew that the confidence in
them would be shaken unless he be-
haved firmly. He dismissed Hutch
inson, offering him no consolation;
the man must consider himself dis
. graced. His imprecations against
Mackenzie were deep and terrible.
Alan would not have cared if it had
not been for Veronica. After all, the
man was Veronica S father, although
the girl had never rightly understood
why she had never been acknowledged.
There was mystery which Hutchin-
son alone knew, but he was quiet
and reserved man, stepped to the brim
in plots, and he could be dangerous, as
quiet people alone can.
Dempster's adieuX to Hutchinson
were short. you would have betray-
ed me-" he said to the man who had
been in his employ for years, more
years than he cared to think, "if it had
not been for Mackenzie My word has
always been we'll thought of until now,
my firm an honorable one; but you
would have dragged me down!'
Hutchinson said nothing, but glared
at Mackenzie. THAT young curt" he
said; "but will be even with him
yeti"
When it came to Saying goodbye to
Alan 1t was another anair. The elder
man had taken a great liking to Alan;
he had full confidence in him.
Look here, my lad" he said, 81
sha'n't leave you at Santa Rosa-I'm
not sure it will be worth your powder
and shot; but go there now, and will
move you on to San Iago in a little
while"
Alan thanked him and went. His
mead was full of Veronica. The girl
WaS about to show her confidence in
him in the fullest way woman can.
True she was leaving nothing but I'M
Kindness and tyranny; but Veronica
was young and very beautiful, and
HsARy men would have rejoiced to have
secured her for life.
He had made all arrangements for
the girl. She was to leave Rio at once
and go and wait for him at Santa Rosa
He had sent her money, and had found
a lady who would look after her until
he came to claim her for himself. They
would be married at once, and he
would begin his life there married
man. He was looking forward to this
new life. He wanted a companion
Q woman. Sometimes he felt that, ii
1t had been possible, he would have
preferred a woman who would de-
mand More of him, for as long as he
was simply Joined to Veronica she
was perfectly happy. Poor child! she
had had so much unkindness in her
short life, for she was but seventeen!
Alan Mackenzie was not man who
makes plans that come to naught. Be-
fore another three months were over
he was established at Santa Rosa
married to Veronica. She had a sur
prise in store for him. She told him
that Hutchinson had come home from
the momentous interview vehemently
abusing Alan.
She had stood up for him, and then
he had flown into violent rage and
had abused her, telling her that she
was not his child, and that she had nc
claim upon him. In some strange way
this rather pleased Alan. He had very
definite ideas as to duty, and it had
.vexed him that it was his fate to I'M
mask the father of the girl he was to
marry. Therefore, Hutchinson S
words that she was not his child
rather relieved him.
And now there began some months
of quiet, uneventful, pleasurable life
Veronica was sweet, gentle, loving,
and very beautiful. 1t was impossible
not to become fond of her; and though
Alan knew that there were POSSIBLE
tiles of love within him which she
never drew out, yet he never regretted
his chivalry. She was not very use.
full, but she made home She ALWAYS
looked charming and made the rooms
pretty with flowers and ornaments
She was always there, too, to talk to
him when he wanted to talk. to ride
with him when he wanted to ride. She
seemed to live simply to give him
/ pleasure. True, he never discussed
any serious topic with her, and there
was a part of his nature that was a
sealed book to her; but that did not
prevent its being happy, easy life
But it only lasted four months Alan
and his chief correspondent two or
three times a week, but only on bust
ness affairs II Richard Dempster
heard rumor Of Alan's living at San
4 ia Rosa as married man he did not
attach much Importance to it. Alan
was doing such good work that he was
almost wasted at such small center
las Santa Rosa. He knew it himself
but he had been grateful for the OPP
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