The Lamar register., 1900-09-19


from Alan. She had waited so long
that a little more or less waiting did
not matter. And he had said he would
write-he was certainly a man to be
trusted.
And on the third day a letter came.
Veronica could not guess what it had
cost Alan to write it. He did not want
to be harsh and cruel towards the af-
fectionate creature, whose only fault
had been that she had not been drown
ed in the shipwreck, and yet he felt 1t
ifficult to be kind to her who had
spoilt his life He wrote that hence
forth she :nd the boy would be his
care, that he wished to allow her and
her boy enCugh to live in comfort; but
that he could not bring himself to
come and zee her. He told her that
he was parted from Joyce, who was
now hovering between life and death,
and that he would not burden her with
the sight of his unhappiness. He
would always be glad if she wrote to
him in an" time of trouble Or diff
Guilty, to give his advice and help; but
| that most probably he should leave
| England. He told her that If she fol-
| lowed his advice she would remain in
England, which was q safe place for
her to live in. Besides, he would
rather that the boy was brought up as
an Englishman. There was lot OF
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. They were going to
winter in Biarritz.
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-
son. He was half drunk, but sober
enough to want to pick a quarrel. His
schemes had been bafiled by the idiotic
straightforwardness of a man who pre-
ferred honor to love. Naturally
enough Hutchinson could impose no
| hush h-money on a 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 II
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 a fit mood. He
remembered as soon as he saw the
man that he might have saved Joyce
| r,.i, ,,,it ),
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 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 hatred
was too much for him. Because
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 | should
forego my revenge! You fool, to for
get that you had me to deal With"
Yes" said Alan slowly. 81 forgot
that | was dealing with devil, and
not a man. A man might have had
pity
pity" Hutchinson sneered. PITY
towards man who ruined me? Not
|! 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 'or | will throw you down
stairs He looked so fierce that
Hutchinson went at once.
Six months had elapsed since he had
said goodby 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 a will leaving all else he
had to Joyce. She would not let him
do anything else for her whilst he WAS