The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-11-15
CHAPTER vIII.-(Continued.)

could cavil at his writing to her. AS
ne ielt-that is, from his heart-so he
wrote to her:
My Own Joyce: am breaking my
self-imposed resolution to tell you that
am leaving England for Australia on
the Condor, which sails next week. 1
cannot live this life any longer. Do
you know come out at night Just to
look at the house that contains you!
Inere Is no Joy for anything, ana
am AFRAID OF breaking down under the
strain. must work, sweetheart;
must do something. Life is too hard.
Joyce, do not wish to see you again.
saw you again should never
z leave you; but must hear from you to
know II you are we'll, dearest. / ought
TO say to you that you should try and
forget me, and be happy with some
other man. but I cannot. It is ire.
mendous selfishness on my part; but it
would kill me If you were to look at
another man. But it is not for that
am writing, but to tell you I am
leaving. Your own ALAN.
When Joyce received this letter she
sat quite still for little time She
felt as If her heart must break when
she thought Of Alan. She knew what
MS unrest meant; she knew that if it
were possible that he could lay mis-
head against her shoulder. and feel her
hand upon his brow, all his troubles
would vanish. But this might not be.
Never again could they go through the
agony of another parting, never again
would they look into each others eyes
and see what it was costing them to
walk the path of duty-the only way
for them. But she-she must look
upon his face again. She would go
down to Southampton, and then she
would try and get a glimpse of his
dear face. so that she could see for
herself how he looked.
She told no one of her project. 1t
was not wise thing to do, but it was
thing she must do.
Veronica was resting in her room;
the boy was with her. Now she had
nurse for him, and she had pretty
house and all comforts; but she looked
more haggard than in the old days,
when she eked out a miserable exist
ence by teaching. Then there was
something to live for, now she had
nothing.
She heard a tap at the door that
made her tremble. Hutchinson had
been frequent visitor lately-since
she had been prosperous. His visits
always left her poorer and sadder She
did not mind the money, having a
childish ignorance on the subject; but
she did mind the way he spoke of
Alan. She prepared herself for battle
when she heard his knock. He came
in, looking more bloated and excited
4 than ever. Lately he had drank very
heavily. Today he was sober enough
but he looked more angry than he had
done Of late
4 So that fellow thinks he is going
to elude mel" he said. as he came into
the room; "but he makes mistaken"
Veronica turned pale. She knew he
was speaking Of Alan. and that he was
threatening him.
what do you mean?" she asked
boldly.
DO you mean to say that you don't
know that that precious husband of
yours means to sail in the Condor on
Friday? l dare say he wants to de-
sert yon, and to go off with that other
woman!''
Allan would not do that" said vero-
MICA, quickly: However much he and
she suffer. they will do nothing
wrong"
Il dare say he is a saint" sneered
Hutchinson. well, he will have a
chance of going to heaven quickly, for
I've sworn to do for him, and this is
my last chance!"
Veronica listened. Hutchinson had
spoken like this before, and 1t had
come to nothing; still, 1t was pusslpie
that he might be desperate now. He
looked it, and If he meant mischief
to Alan she must warn him. Not
hair of Alan's dear head should fall
by this mans hand. Still, she knew
that she must not let Hutchinson sus-
pect that she was on the alert.
So he sails on Friday?" she said
quietly. From Southampton, is it not !?
He wrote to wish me good-by.''
ut will be a longer good-by than he
knows Of" said the man. Lend me
two pounds. Veronica"
Veronica hesitated. He might be
asking for money in order to kill her
husband; but she had often lent him
money before, so she rose slowly and
went to the writing table and took it
out
Il suppose he has made settlement
upon your" he asked, with cunning
leer. And poor Veronica, falling into
the trap. answered.
YES"
Then it's all right" he raid. and
went out.
Veronica sprang up from her chair
the instant the hall door Changed after
$ him. She knew he meant mischief to
Alan. She kissed her boy many. many
times before giving him in charge of
his nurse. She was always 10th to let
him out Of her sight: but today she
almost felt as IL she would never look
upon him again. At the same time she
felt strangely happy. for it seemed as
y at last she were able to do some
!. thing for Alan.
Alan had taken his seat In the train
without thinking much Of leaving Eng
land. It had ceased to be home to
him: he thought he might be happier
vuy,on no uyoo rnrouo6 from, Tho %op,y.