The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1900-08-31

| riage he thought he saw a familiar
figure pass. 1t was Hutchlnson's
clouch, but he did not think much
about 1t. He pulled his cap over his
eyes, and pretended to go to sleep;
but although he kept his eyes shut no
sleep came to him. Southampton, 1t
seemed to him, was soon reached. He
got out of the train and began collect
ing his belongings. He was turning
to go when suddenly he heard the
sound of a report and then a woman's
cry. In an instant all was commotion!
A woman had fallen close beside him
"a dark-haired, slight woman. He
rushed forward to help her up, quite
unconscious then that the shot that
had beer fired was meant for him. and
that the woman had intercepted it. He
had a dim idea, too, that he saw
Hutchinson slipping away somewhere;
but he, as we'll as every one else, was
occupied by the fallen woman.
His were the arms that helped her
up, and his were the eyes that recog-
nized Veronica. My Cod" he cried.
And when they said DO you know
her?' he answered Yes, and the shot
has killed her was meant for me-"
He carried her to a room near, and
when he laid her down she opened her
eyes and smiled. II am 50 happy" she
| said, softly. Alan, l never thought
to feel your arms round me again.
Veronica" he said. remOrsefully. Il
would gladly have given my life II this
had not happened"
Il know it," she said, but think of
NE for one instant, Alan. You see, L
love you, darling. l am dying, so that
it does not matter, and my life made
you unhappy. By dying for you
make you and her happy. 1t is the
only way, Alan-the only way"
But, Veronica he urged. But
| she would not let him speak.
Il don't think | have long, dear. Let
NE die like this in your arms, my head
upon your shoulder-sO. You think
I'm pretty still, don't you What was
1 saying? Oh, that it will not matter,
except for the boy. But | know you
and she will be good to him. l should
have liked to have seen him just once
again. You know Hutchinson swore
he would be revenged on you, and so
l followed him; and when he fired at
you | threw myself between. l was
so happy, Alan, dear. The happiest
moment Of my life was when L felt
that l might die for you
"V Veronica" he said, touched to the
Lz.G sT IO-Jt Iocar,ra if-indQp6 I
DON'T"
you see," she went on, 81 made
you so unhappy by living-it is the
only way"
And when the doctor came a few mo-
ments after Alan could see there was
no hope. The bullet had pierced her
side. and she was bleeding internally.
She fell into a state Of semi-consclous-
ness; but towards midnight she
opened her eyes suddenly.
kiss me, Alan" she said, AN love
my boy"
And whilst his lips touched hers her
spirit passed away.
Joyce, waiting at the docks for a
glimpse of the man she loved, saw the
great vessel glide out to sea without
him. Something must have happened
to delay him, she thought! Full Of fear
and anxiety, she returned home, won
dering what had detained him; but
the next day she had a telegram with
these words: Veronica died last night.
l am coming at once" And then she
knew that something serious had oc-
Cured.
Alan came to her, chastened, grey
haired; but still Alan. And when he
told her the simple, touching story of
Door Veronica's s~elf-sacrifice and death
they wept together. And Joyce re-
solved then and there to be a good and
loving mother to Alan and EerOnica's
boy, which VOW she nobly kept. In
deed, there was nothing stepmOtherIy
about Joyce, and she could say truly
that she had had nothing but pity for
poor Veronica, even whilst she was
keeping Alan and herself apart.
Alan lost no time in marrying Jcy,~
again. They had suffered so much,
he said. there was no need to pro-
long their suffering" Now, indeed,
their life is the ideal life Of married
people, whose strong love for each
other is not stronger than their love
of duty, and who did not scruple to
sacrifice everything they loved best
for what they knew to be right.
And as for Veronica's boy, he is like
Joyce's own. Indeed, if anything, she
spells him more than her own chill
dren.
His mother saved your life, DEAR"
she said once, in after days, when
Alan expostulated with her, "and he
is a dear boy, and he is yours. SO you
see 1 have three OF the most excellent
reasons for spelling him"
Hutchinson was never seen again.
There was a ~hge-and-cry after him,
but he was never found. Whether he
knew that the shot meant for Alan
had honn raooivcd hv Veronica no one