The Leon reporter., 1900-11-08
ODe IN " "A Fascinating
60 Romance
"- 60 by
W ~I ~ Alan Adair.,,

tiresome law business to be gone
through. His marriage with Joyce had
to be annulled, and the old general
would not allow him to provide at all
for his daughter.
Joyce felt keenly the difficulties OF
her position, but most Of all she felt
the separation from Alan.
Alan was seated in his office one day
when he heard heavy step on the
stair. 1t was his old enemy Hutchin-
sen. He was half drunk, but sober
enough to want to pick quarrel. His
schemes had been bafled by the idiotic
straightforwardness of man who pre-
ferred honor to love. Naturally
enough Hutchinson could impose no
hush-money on man who would con-
sent to hush up nothing, but who put
away the woman who was dearer to
him than life rather than fail in do
ing what was right. But Hutchinson,
baffled at every turn, still had his re-
venge. He meant in the end to be
even with Alan, let it cost him what it
might. He came today to gloat over
his enemy's misery. Some one had told
him that Alan's hair had turned grey,
| and he wanted to see for himself
But Alan was just in fit mood. He
remembered as soon as he saw the
man that he might have saved Joyce
the crowning misery of marriage with
| one from whom she had been Obliged
| to be separated, that he had deliber-
ately done his best to ruin her, and
Alan's wrath burned hot within him.
He sprang up from his desk as soon
as he saw Hutchinson, and caught
hold of him. He gave him little
shake, and, looking him straight in
| the face, said: You dog! why did you
not tell me that Veronica was alive
when l told you was about to marry
another woman? Why did you let me
do an innocent girl an injury?"
Hutchinson looked at him. He was
going to prevaricate, but his haired
was too much for him. Because l
hated you!" he cried. Yes, and hate
you now! shall never be content till
l see you dead at my feet, you villain,
who deprived me of everything I pos
sessed! And you dream that I should
forego my revenge! You fool, to for
/ get that you had me to deal with!'
YES" said Alan slowly, "I forgot
that I was dealing with a devil, and
not man. A man might have had
pity"
"Pity" Hutchinson sneered. PITY
towards man who ruined me? Not
I! But have not done with you yet,
| you may be very sure Of that"
Alan sprang at him. You get out
of my Office this moment he ex-
claimed, cor l will throw you down.
stairs" He looked so fierce that
Hutchinson went at once.
Six months had elapsed since he had
said good-by to Joyce-six months of
such utter hopelessness that Alan re-
solved that he would leave England.
The firm of Dempster was going to be-
gin operations in Australia. Any
thing, thought Alan, would be better
than this life. He would work hard
and live hard. He settled five hun
dred year on Veronica and the boy,
and made will leaving all else he
had to Joyce. She would not let him
do anything else for her whilst he was
alive, but she could not refuse a ben
eft by his death. He knew that the
general only had his pension. He had
learned that he had brought his
daughter back to London. 1t was too
much to be near Joyce and yet not
see her. Every time he went out he
was letting his eyes stray everywhere,
hoping, fearing that he might see the
one woman in the world for him. But
chance never favored him, and his ar
rangements We're made to go away.
After much deliberation he resolved
to write to both women who loved
him. He wrote to Veronica a letter
which, poor soul, hurt her, although
he had no intention Of being otherwise
than kind:
Dear Veronica: I am going to Aus
tralia. 1 do not think shall see you
again, but I have arranged everything
4 fer you with Truscott, the lawyer. You
will have five hundred year whether
l live or die. hope you will bring
the boy up well.
ALAN MACKENZIE.
Poor Veronica cried bitterly when
she received this letter. 1t seemed to
her that Alan thought he had finished
all his obligations to her by paying
her five hundred year, and Veronica,
who was yearning for little love, and
who had made pilgrimage across the
dark waters to land where there was
but little sun, for loves sweet sake!
Alan had fight over his letter to
Joyce. He had said he would not
write to her; but surely he could not
leave the country without word OF
farewell to the sweet woman whom he
had wooed and won openly, who for
six perfect weeks had been his wife.
and whom he loved more than any
thing on earth.
(To be continued.)
Nake- Relieva RivaI.