The Lamar register., 1900-08-22

father as he had told it to Joyce, ana
after that he felt he had done all that
would be asked of him He revelIed
in the thought of Joyce's love, and
poor Veronica might never have ex-
listed for him at all. There was moth
ing but talk of preparations for the
wedding and settlements, nothing but
congratulations and envyings of his
luck, nothing in all this to remind him
of the simple preparations for the
civil marriage that had been the only
one possible in Rio. Joyce had Begged
for six months engagement, Alan
had insisted on three: and as there
was really nothing to wait for he had
his way.
three yearA and had met her at the
houss Of a mutual friend, had been
attracted to her from the first; so that
1t seemed as II they had actually been
engaged much longer than was the
case. He was still in the firm of
Dempster. only now he was a partner
instead OF an employe. He had been
called to the bar, but did not practice
regularly, seeing that he did not have
much time. The three months passed
very quickly: there was so much TO
do. so much to settle. 1t was very
happy time. but one evening Alan got
rather a nasty shock. He had been
seeing Joyce. and they had spent the
usual happy time together. He was
immersed in thoughts and dreams of
her. and was not looking very much
where he was going. Turning a cor
ner sharply he ran up against . man
who seemed little unsteady In his
gait.
Il beg your pardon!" Alan said.
The man uttered an imprecation. At
the nrst sound of his voice Alan
thought that 1t was familiar to him
cried. The man looked up. A gleam
Of recognition lit up his drink-sodden
eyes, and with the recognition there
came. too, a gleam OF hatred.
Its you!" he cried. and he swore
again.
Yes" said Alan. "and 1 am sorry
to see you like this. Can I do any
thing for you. Hutchinson
DO anything for mea You? III
trip you yeti" cried the man, his
hatred flashing like a knife. DO you
think l have forgotten how you got
me turned out. how you ruined me?
No, And / will be even with you yet
IL hang for 1t, And there's that girl
OF mine. too! always thought that
you had hand in her disappearance,
/ will be syen with you yet, my fine
young mani
We'll, said Alan. coolly. IL would
have helped you II you would have let
me. not that | regard your threats II
was your own dishonesty and nothing
else thEt was your ruin. And as for
the girl. you are right there. mar
ried her. and she was drowned: but
she was no daughter OF yours, and
you knew it."
Hutchinson's surprise got the better
Of his caution. Il brought her up"
he said. even II she was not my own.
In way she was mine And so you
married her, did you? And now you
say she is dead"
she Is dead, poor soull" said Alan
Died in the wreck of the Valparaiso
four years ago, and I'm to be married
again I wish you would let me help
you. Hutchinson"
An evil sneer crossed HutchInson's
face. "Narried again. are you? Soon?
Well. l Will wish you Joy you and
your bride You may have an unex-
pected guest at your wedding. al
though I am not quite sure. We will
see what way things will go. Good
by. my fine gentleman"
He left Alan with = curious sense
that something untoward had hap
pened, although the young man could
not say what It had been.