The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-06-10
CHAPTER VII.

Veronica's face was as haggard as
Alan's. The blow had been so crush
ing, so unexpected-that he had not
seemed glad to see her, that his heart
had not leapt out to her, as hers did
to him, that his eyes did not rest for
one moment upon the boy, was bad
enough; but that there should be an
other woman in her place! Oh, that
was anguish intolerable! At last she
spoke. "You love her. Alan?" she
asked.
Better than my life!" he answered
passionately.
"Oh!" She gave a little shudder.
'Then will go and leave you to your
happiness" she said quietly. Its the
only way-the only way. I will take
our boy and go!'
"But you cannot gow he groaned.
Il made you my wife, Veronica, and
as long as you live you will be my
wife, although my heart and hers may
break"
Il break your hearth" cried Ver-
onica. why. would give my life
for you. would not have you I'M
happy for moment if I could help it,
I love you as much as in the old
days, Alan. before the shipwreck. Oh.
why was saved?" M +,
He looked at her, and poor Veron-
tca's heart failed her. There was no
love in that look. All the love of
Alan's heart was given to Joyce.
There was pity and despair, but no
love. When a woman loves a man
she can soon see the difference. He
could not say that he praised God that
she was saved, and he did not. Tell
me about It," he said mechanically.
If she talked he would be able to
think what it would be best to do for
her. But as for him, the despair of
his heart almost choked him when he
thought that in about half an hour
he must pull down that beautiful fab
ric of their lives, must ruin Joyce for
ever! He could scarcely think of Yer
onica in his overwhelming agony;
but she spoke, glad to see his inter-
est
II was washed in shore, into a
sandy bay, Alan. l had gone through
the anguish of dying; but when the
people found me they brought me to,
but the shock had been too much for
me; could not remember anything.
And then in about five months baby
was born. and then it all came to me
slowly. I was Ill and weak and could
do nothing; could scarcely think.
Then at last when / wrote the letters
were sent back to me, and I heard
rumor that you had gone back to Eng
Land. I was penniless. did not
know If you wanted our marriage ac-
knowledged, SO did not write to Mr..
Dempster; but as my strength re-
turned my courage did also. began
giving singing and guitar lessons.
People were good to me. l worked
hard, and at last scraped together
enough money to take me in sailing
boat to England. I hate the sea. l
was afraid Of it; but you were there,
and came. But 1t was year before
I could find anything Of you, and I
should not have found you at all but
Hutchinson told me he had seen you
and had spoken to you"
when did he tell you that?"
1.-TWO days ago. But he told me
that he had seen you two months ago,
and you had spoken Of me. You had
told him we were married, Alan,
which he had not known. He tracked
me home from music shop, where
they get me music lessons; but can
not tell why he delayed"
But Alan could. Hutchinson, In his
cruelty. knew that 1t would be the
ruin of Joyce's life as well as his own
If this marriage with her could be
consummated first He knew Hutch
inson hated him. SO this was his re-
venge!
He tried to think Of Veronica, but
1t was Of no use. Joyce's image came
before him whenever he tried to think
Of the poor girl who was his wife.
The little boy. also, was looking at
him with his. Alan's, own blue eyes,
which were SO great a contrast to his
curly dark hair. That these poor
creatures. dependent upon him for
love which he could not give, troubled
him.
Veronica" he said at length, will
you go back, to where you live and /
will write to you when have seen
bert"
1.-THE wife you loye?" asked poor
Veronica. /.
YES" said Alan. "Will you do
that? You know that you can trust
me"
"of course said Veronica, simply.
r will do what you say always. It.
Is misery to me to think that have
made you 80 unhappy. when I thought
only to make you happy" ,.3
My poor GIRL" he said. deeply
touched by the contrition in her tone
and By her sadness, you would have
done very wrong II you had not
come. u
She gave him her address ard left
h4sss yhnsa she, Il q 4 x<,,, &, lat&In ,sxa :,