The Lamar register., 1900-09-26


times before giving him in charge of
his nurse. She was always 10th to let
him out of her sight; but today she
almost felt as II she would never look
upon him again. At the same time she
felt strangely happy. for it seemed as
il at last she were able to do some
thing for Alan.
Alan had taken his seat In the train
without thinking much of leaving Eng
land. 1t had ceased to be home to
him; he thought he might be happier
when he was removed from the temp
tation of seeing Joyce, and when he
might now and again hear from her.
And as he sat in the corner of his car
riage he thought he saw familiar
figure pass. 1t was Hutchinson's
clouch. but he did not think much
about it. He pulled his cap over his
eyes. and pretended to go to sleep;
but although he kept his eyes shut no
sleep came to him. Southampton, 1t
seemed to him, was soon reached. He
got out of the train and began collect
ing his belongings. He was turning
to go when suddenly he heard the
sound of report and then a woman's
cry. In an instant all was oommotion.
A woman had fallen close beside him
"a dark-haired, slight woman. He
rushed forward to help her up. quite
unconscious then that the shot that
had been fired was meant for him. and
that the woman had intercepted it. He
had dim idea. too. that he saw
Hutchinson slipping away somewhere;
but he, as well as every one else. was
occupied by the fallen woman
His were the arms that helped her
up, and his were the eyes that recog-
nizcd Veronica. My God!" he cried.
And when they said DO you know
herr" he answered Yes, and the shot
has killed her was meant for mel"
He carried her to a room near. and
when he laid her down she opened her
eyes and smiled. 81 am so happy she
said, softly. ALAN. ! never thought
to feel your arms round me again"
Veronica" he said. remorsefully. Il
would gladly have given my life II this
had not happened"
81 know It," she said. but think OF
m> for one instant, Alan. You see. l
love you, darling. l am dying, so that
it does not matter, and my life made
you unhappy. BY dying for you
make you and her happy. 1t is the
only way, Alan--the only way"
But, Veronica" he urged. But
she would not let him speak.
81 don't think have long. dear. Let
me die like this in your arms. my head
upon your shoulder-so. You think
hot
| saying? Oh, that it will not matter.
except for the boy. But | know you
and she will be good to him. I should
have liked TO have seen him just once
again. You know Hutchinson swore
he would be revenged on you. and so
l followed him: and when he fired at
you l threw myself between. l was
SO happy, Alan, dear. The happiest
moment of my life was when | felt
that might die for you"
"veronica," he said. touched to the
heart, 81 don't deserve it-indeed |
dont!"
You see," she went on, Il made
you so unhappy by living-it is the
only way
And when the doctor came a few mo-
mentS aIteT Alan cDuln See there WIZ
no hope. The bullet had pierced her
side. and she was bleeding internally.
She fell into Il state of semi-conscious-
ness; but towards midnight she
opened her eyes suddenly
kiss me, Alan she said. ''and love
my boy"
And whilst his lips touched hers her
spirit passed away.
Joyce, waiting at the docks for
glimpse OF the man she loved, saw the
great vessel glide out to sea without
him. Something must have happened
to delay him. she thought! Full OF fear
and anxiety, she returned home, won
dering what had detained him: but
the next day she had q telegram with
these words: Veronica died last night.
I am coming at once" And then she
knew that something serious had oc-
Cured.
Alan came to her, chastened. grey
haired; but still Alan. And when he
told her the simple, touching story of
poor Veronica's self-sacrifice and death
they wept together. And Joyce re-
solved then and there to be good and
loving mother to Alan and Veronica's
boy, which vow she nobly kept. In
deed, there was nothing stepmotherly
about Joyce, and she could say truly