The Red Cloud chief., 1900-08-31
CHAPTER yIII-(Continued.)

wrote to her:
My Own Joyce: I am breaking my
self-imposed resolution to tell you that
| am leaving England for Australia on
the Condor, which sails next week. !
cannot live this life any longer. DO
you know | come out at night Just to
look at the house that contains your
There Is no JOY for anything. and
am afraid OF breaking down under the
strain. ! must work, sweetheart; !
must do something. Life is too hard.
Joyce, | do not wish to see you again.
II | saw you again | should never
leave you; but | must hear from you to
know II you are well, dearest. | ought
to say to you that you should try and
forget me, and be happy with some
other man. but | cannot. 1t Is ire
mendous selhshness on my part; but 1t
would kill me II you were to look at
another man. But It Is not for that
] am writing, but to tell you I am
leaving. Your own ALAN.
When Joyce received this letter she
sat quite still for a little time. She
felt as II her heart must break when
she thought OF Alan. She knew what
his unrest meant; she knew that II 1t
were possible that he could lay mis-
head against her shoulder, and feel her
hand upon his brow, all his troubles
would vanish. But this might not be.
Never again could they go through the
agony OF another parting, never again
would they look into each Others eyes
and see what II was costing them to
walk the path Of duty-the only way
for them. But she-she must look
upon his face again. She would 60
down to Southampton, and then she
would try and get a glimpse OF his
dear face. so that she could see for
herself how he looked.
She told no one OF her project. II
was not a wise thing to do, but II was
a thing she must do.
veronica was resting In her room
the boy was with her. Now she had
a nurse for him, and she had a pretty
house and all comforts: but she looked
more haggard than in the old days,
when she eked out a miserable exist
by teaching. Then there WAS
something to live for, now she had
nothing.
She heard a tap at the door that
made her tremble. Hutchinson had
been a frequent visitor lately-since
she had been prosperous. His visits
always left her poorer and sadder. She
did not mind the money, having a
childish ignorance or the subject; but
she did mind the way he spoke OF
Alan. She prepared herself for battle
when she heard his knock. He came
in, looking more bloated and excited
than ever. Lately he had drank very
heavily. Today he was sober enough
but he looked more angry than he had
done OF late.
$50 that fellow thinks he is going
to elude mel" he said, as he came into
the room; but he makes a mistaken"
Veronica turned pale. She knew he
was speaking of Alan, and that he was
threatening him.
What do you mean" she asked
boldly.
DO you NEAR to say that you don't
know that that precious husband OF
yours means to sail in the Condor on
Friday? ] dare say he wants to de-
sert you, and to go off with that other
woman!'
Alan would not do that" said Vero-
Mica, quickly. However much he and
she suffer, they will do nothing
wrong"
Il dare say he is a saint!' sneered
Hutchinson. Well. he will have a
chance Of going TO heaven quickly. for
I've sworn to do for him, and this Is
my last chance."
Veronica listened. Hutchinson had
spoken like this before. and II had
come to nothing; still, 1t was possible
that he might be desperate now. He
looked 1t, and II he meant mischief
TO Alan she must warn him. Not a
hair of Alan's dear head should fall
by this mans hand. Still. she knew
that she must not let Hutchinson sus-
pect that she was on the alert.
so he sails on Friday?" she said
quietly. From Southampton, is It not ?
He wrote to wish me good-by."
1T will be a longer good-by than he
knows Of" said the man. Lend me
two pounds. Veronica"
Veronica hesitated. He might be
askins for money in order to kill her
husband; but she had often lent him
money before, so she rose slowly and
went to the writing table and took it
out.
Il suppose he has made a settlement
upon you?" he asked, with cunning
leer, And poor Veronica, falling int)
he trap. answered.
Yes"
Then it's all right" he said, and
went sit.
Veronica spraug up from her chair
the instant the hall door changed after
him. She knew he meant mischief to
Alan. She kissed her boy many many
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 If she would never look