The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-10-25

alike. Alan would not give UP Joyce
he felt sure Of that; then he must
pc made to pay for his silence. He
must feel that he, Hutchinson, could
mold the sword over his head, that he
could let 1t fall at any moment. He
nao rubbed his hands at the publicity
OF the marriage. Alan Mackenzie
would never give up his beautiful
wife. Veronica would have to be paid
on. Joyce would not be Alan's law
ful wife. It was going to be life
OF misery for the young man, and at
the end there would be Hutchinson
dagger for his heart. But the whole
tnlng needed careful handling, and
Hutchinson felt that he was the man
undoubtedly who could handle it care
fuliy. 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 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. 81 was paid
Tor my lessons yesterday. must
write to her when / have seen Alan
again. He may not wish me to 20 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
Tor little human sympathy. 'sHe is
handsome, is he not?"
"Oh, yes. he's a good-looking child.
although am no judge" said the
man. In his head he was revolving
plans. 81 would not go straight up to
the house il I were you." he said.
The servants might not understand
1t. You wait for him at the lodge
gates"
Very well, said Veronica, docile
as always. She could not guess that
Hutchinson's one fear was lest she
should meet Joyce and SO spoil his
whole plan. He had looked into
Joyce's face as she was walking with
Alan one day, and he could see inno-
cence and purity written upon 1t.
joyce was not the woman to consent
to the paying of Of the first wife.
And SO it was decided that Veronica
should go down to Summerhaye and
await the coming Of Alan. It was a
lovely day In early July, when she
went down, with that precious possess
sion, her boy. Rugged close to her
heart. The sun was shining and the
sky blue, the corn was waving in the
helds; and it was under the shade Of
a leafy tree that Veronica awaited the
coming OF the man she loved. Hutch
inson had discovered what train he
usually came by. 1t was SO important
that Veronica should see him alone!
And sat there quietly straining her
her ears for the sound of his foot
steps. It took her back to her girlish
days at La Paz, when she had often
watched for him as she was doing
now. Truly there had been no years
of separation from him, and no bow
beside her. AS the time drew nearer
the strain grew almost too intense
She put her hand over her heart SO as
to stop It's wild beating, and the rich
color that generally flooded her cheeks
left her, and she was pale. And sud
denly she heard footsteps in the field
that was before her-manly footsteps,
which she had not heard for four
years, but which she knew at once.
Then a figure vaulted over the stile
and Alan stood before her.
She tottered to her feet, holding out
the child. He looked at her wildly
and gave a great cry, as if body and
soul were being rent asunder. "ver-
onica! o God! o God!"
He fell backwards against the stile,
covering his face with his hands, as If
to shut out the sight of great horror.
She stood trembling before him, push
ing her child in front Of her, as if she
wanted to obliterate herself and to OBJ
trude the child: but he stood there,
shaking and shivering, moaning at
intervals. Veronica! O God! o God!''
It was she who spoke first; he could
not find words, or anything but the
piteous moan, and her voice was
touching in exquisite joy. Yes, Alan,
1t is I. saved from the sea, my dearest
And here--here is our child. Are you
not pleased? Tell me you are pleased,
for have longed so to see your dear
face again! have longed so to hear
your voice cannot believe 1t has
come at last!''
She came quite near to him, adj
vancing as she spoke. 1t seemed as
IL she were longing for him to I'M
cover his face, to take her into his
arms.
Alan she cried. "oh, my darling.
are you not glad to see me?"
There was still no doubt in her
mind. She thought that the joy OF
seeing her had been too great, and
that he was trying to recover from
the shock. She had no doubt, poor
soul. at all. He. loved her, therefore
her coming to him must be inexpres-
sible Joy.
Then Alan uncovered his haggard
face. Glad No! 1t has ruined my
Mel he cried brutally But for the
moment he could think OF nothing but
Joyce-his Joyce, with whom life had
begun 50 joyfully. and whose heart he
must now break, as his own had been