The Red Cloud chief., 1900-08-10
ODE Zbw1Z Y/ A Fascinating
OVkU 90 Romance
w 0D~ Alan Adair..

before he began his work OF destruc-
ton; now he had to make sure OF
Veronica. He would have Infinitely
have preferred a woman who would
have clustered, and have worn that
she would have her rights; but YER
onica was the sort of woman who
would shrink away and be lost to the
world rather than hurt the man she
loved. He had shrewdness enough to
see that the girl would say that it was
the only way to act, and that she
would sacrifice both the child and
herself; therefore 1t was imperatively
necessary that she should know moth
Ing OF Alan's marriage, Of his love for
another woman. That must come to
her as a surprise. She must be led 70
expect that Alan was longing for her,
and would be overjoyed to see her
again; then would be his, Hutchin-
sons, opportunity. He knew men so
well that he fancied they must be all
alike. Alan would not give up Joyce
he felt sure of that; then he must
be made to pay for his silence. He
must feel that he, Hutchinson, could
hold the sword over his head, that he
could let It fall at any moment. He
had rubbed his hands at the publicity
OF the marriage. Alan Mackenzie
would never give up his beautiful
wife. Veronica would have to be paid
off. Joyce would not be Alan's law
full wife. 1t was going to be a life
OF misery for the young man. and at
the end there would be Hutchinson's
dagger for his heart. But the whole
Hutchinson felt that he was the man
undoubtedly who could handle It care
fully. Even IL at the end Veronica
refused, as was possible, to come for
ward and make Alan unhappy, never
theless he would have to pay for his
silence.
HE lives in q nice little house in
the country" Hutchinson said at
last. IL will give you the address.
You had better go by train. Have
you any money!"
YES" said Veronica. IL was paid
for my lessons yesterday. l must
write to her when | have seer Alan
again. He may not wish me to go on
giving lessons" But all the time she
spoke her face was TRANSPORTED. The
feeling that soon her weary time OF
probation would be over was strong
within her. She looked with pride at
the beautiful boy. whom she still held
in her arms. will not his father be
proud Of him?" she asked, longing
for a little human sympathy. "He Is
handsome, Is he not?"
"Oh, yes, he's a good-looking child
although | am nc judge" said the
man. In his head he was revolving
plans. 81 would not go straight up tc
the house II | were YOU" he said
The servants might not understand
it.. You wait for him at the lodge
gates"
Very WELL" said Veronica, docil,
as always. She could not guess tina
Hutchinson's one fear was lest sh,
should meet Joyce and so spoil hi,
whole plan. He had looked int
Joyce's face as she was walking will
Alan one day, and he could see limo
cence and purity written upon II
Joyce was not the woman to consen
to the paying off of the first wife.
And so it was decided that Veronic,
should go down to Summerhaye an,
await the coming OF Alan. 1t was
lovely day in early July, when sh
went down, with that precious posses
sion, her boy, Rugged close to he
heart. The sun was shining and tn
sky blue, the corn was waving in tn
fields; and 1t was under the shade @
a leafy tree that Veronica awaited tn
coming of the man she loved. Hutch
inson had discovered what train h
usually came by. II was so importar
hat Veronica should see him alone
And sat there quietly straining he
her ears for the sound OF his foo
steps. Ii took her back to her girls
days at La PaZ, when she had ofte
watched for him as she was doin
now. Truly there had been no yeal
of separation from him, and no be
beside her. AS the time drew near'
the strain grew almost too intens
She put her hand ove her heart so
> to stop its wild beating, and the rio
I. color that generally flooded her cheel
: left her, and she was pale. And SUI
denly she heard footsteps In the fe
that was before her-manly footstep
: which she had not heard for foI
years, but which she knew at ono
? Then a figure vaulted I've the sti
and Alan stood before her.
= She tottered to her feet, holding o
= the child. He looked at her wild
and gave a great cry, as II body al
= soul were being rent asunder. Eve
onlca! o God, o Cod"
He fell backwards against the sti
covering his face with his hands, as
n to shut out the sight OF a great horr'
n She stood trembling before him, pus
~ ing her child In front of her, as If $
~ wanted to obliterate herself and to G
trude the child. hut he stood the