The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-05-13
Ol1e ~ !" A Fascinating
= =" - Romance
VIZ" 60 by
"dI.~ Alan Adair..
CHAPTER III.

ly trusted Hutchinson. Although he had
been q member of his firm for years
he had never made him partner, and
the utmost he had done was to allow
him very liberal salary, and COM
mission on what he had made. There
fore it was not difficult matter to get
rid of him: but the interview between
the three men was one which neither
forgot.
Alan Mackenzie. who, as he told
Veronica, wanted no one to do his
dirty work, was present, and unfolded
document after document of incrim-
mating matter. If he had not made
the discovery it would have come to
1T that the Brazilian government
would have arraigned the firm Of
Dempster on the charge Of selling fire.
arms to the insurgents. Richard
Dempster knew that the confidence in
them would be shaken unless he be-
haved firmly. He dismissed Hutch
inson, Offering him no consolation;
the man must consider himself dis
graced. His imprecations against
Mackenzie were deep and terrible.
Alan would not have cared II it had
not been for Veronica. After all, the
man was Veronica's father, although
the girl had never rightly understood
why she had never been acknowledged.
There was a mystery which Hutchin-
son alone knew. but he was a quiet
and reserved man, stepped to the brim
In plots, and he could be dangerous, as
quiet people alone can.
Dempster's adieux to Hutchinson
were short. "You would have betray-
ed me-" he said to the man who had
been in his employ for years, more
years than he cared to think, eff it had
not been for Mackenzie! My word has
always been we'll thought of until now
my firm an honorable one; but you
would have dragged me down"
Hutchinson said nothing, but glared
at Mackenzie. "That young curt" he
said; but I will be even with him
yeti"
When it came to Saying goodbye to
Alan 1t was another AFFAIR. The elder
man had taken great liking to Alan;
he had full confidence in him.
Look here, my lad" he said, II
sha'n't leave you at Santa Rosa-I'm
not sure it will be worth your powder
and shot; but go there now, and will
move you on to San lago in a little
while"
Alan thanked him and went. His
head was full Of Veronica. The girl
was about to show her confidence in
him in the fullest way a woman can.
True she was leaving nothing but I'M
Kindness and. tyranny; but Veronica
was young and very beautiful, and
many men would have rejoiced to have
secured her for life.
He had made all arrangements for
the girl. She was to leave Rio at once
end go and wait for him at Santa Rosa
He had sent her money, and had found
a lady who would look after her until
he came to claim her for himself. They
would be married at once, and he
would begin his life there married
Kin. He was looking forward to this
new life. He wanted a companion
a woman. Sometimes he felt that, If
1t had been possible, he would have
preferred woman who would de-
laand more of him. for as long as he
was simply Joined to Veronica she
was perfectly happy. Poor child! she
Lad had so much unkindness in her
short life, for she was but seventeen!
Alan Mackenzie was not man who
makes plans that come to naught. Be-
fore another three months were over
he was established at Santa Rosa,
to Veronica. She had a sur
prise in store for him. She told him
that Hutchinson had come home from
the moynentous interview vehemently
abusing Alan.
She had stood up for him, and then
he had flown into violent rage and
had abused her, telling her that she
was not his child, and that she had no
claim upon him. In some strange way
this rather pleased Alan. He had very
definite ideas as to duty, and it had
vexed him that it was his fate to I'M
mask the father of the girl he was to
narry. Therefore, Hutchinson's
words that she was not his child
-ather relieved him.
And now there began some months
Of quiet, uneventful, pleasurable life.
Veronica was sweet. gentle, loving,
and very beautiful. It was impossible
not to become fond Of her; and though
Allan knew that there were possibil-
tiles Of love within him which she
never drew out, yet he never regretted
his chivalry. She was not very use
ful, but she made home. She always
looked charming and made the rooms
pretty with flowers and ornaments.
She was always there, too, to talk to
him when he wanted to talk. to ride
with him when he wanted to ride. She
seemed to live simply = give him
pleasure. True, he never discussed
any serious topic with her, and there
was a part OF his nature that was
fealed book to her; but that did not
prevent Its being happy, easy life.
But it only lasted four months. Alan
end hiH c1fiaf cnrrnsnnnAat1ss two III ~