The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-08-24
VERNEENA'S FORTUNE
Or
The Stolen Heiress.
A TALE OF new YORK IN 1895,
BY PROF. WM HENRY PECK,
AUTHOR OF
The Queens Secret" The Toioer of Gold,
The Half Breed" @HarolGs Hate"
9The Bride Of Barcelona" Etc.
BY PROF. VIM. HENRY PECK,
CHAPTER XII.

DAME GRIPPARD AND vERNEENA GO TO OLD
ANCHORS
The dame retired to her couch soon after
we left her room, and slept soundly for
some hours. She then arose, found Mag
gle Dilker awake. but heavy eyed still.
Maggie suspected nothing of the events Of
the preceding night The dame was sure
all would 60 we'll could she persuade YER
Verneena to go with her to Old Anchors.
"All will be into my hand, unused the
old woman, IF can persuade her to drive
me there in my chariot.
What the dame called "ny chariot" was
a very ancient and dilapidated chaise,
which Verneena was accustomed to irrev-
erently call IAN old rattle-trap."
Verneena had slept well after we quilted
her room. She rose fresh aud resolute,
mindful Of all that had happened in her
bedroom during the night. She met the
dame at their early breakfast without be-
traying the slightest consciousness of what
she had seen and heard. The dame eyed
her keenly but slyly. At last she said,
suddenly:
MY dear child, how did you get that spot
on your throat? 1t looks as if you had
hurt yourself with something very sharp"
1T is nothing, Dame Grippard. Vernee-
la replied, quietly-she had long ceased to
call the dame grandmother. Il suppose q
a sharp quill-end of feather in my pillow
gave me the hurt. But my eyes were not
open when it happened, and SO cannot
tell much about it,"
"Goodl" thought the dame. "She sus-
poets nothingl" Then aloud and ingratiat-
ingly;
"My dear child, you have been keeping
one of your sweet secrets from mel"
hot M
neena asked coldly. and maintaining the
air of reserve to which the dame was ac-
customed:
That you are in love with a very nice
young man, named Edward, my love-"
"Ah, you have discovered that?"
Verneena said this SO excitedly that the
dame continued to be deceived, and replied.
softly:
you should have no such sweet secrets
from your old grandmother, who loves you
despite your strange and unnatural dislike
for her, Verneena. OF course knew that
you would fall in love some day, but ex-
pected you would make confdante of the
only relative you have on EARTH my child.
l have such faith, however, in your judg-
ment aud good sense, Verneena, that am
sure your choice is an excellent one in
every respect"
AAOW A4U JO0 NAoOOECA 0iA tdioy DhAilO
Grippard?"
@Oh, by accident, and then by investiga-
ton, my love! l found torn letter.
pasted it together. l have discovered
much, my dear. had every right to try to
do so. l am your only relative on earth.
You should have told me all about it.
can only advise you. / give up all right to
oppose your choice. What is the young
mans full name. my dear?"
He will tell you when you and he meet.
Dame Grippard. Some day l will myself
introduce you to him. ! am very glad to
hear you say that you give up all right to
oppose my choice.
Yes, my dear. What good would it do
for me to try to compel you to give mp the
one you love? l know well how stubborn
you can be even in trihing aifairsl In an
lffair of your hearth Oh, should lever
dream of opposing you, my Lowell"
4 am very glad to hear this, Dame Grip
pard, answered Verneena, as coldly as be-
fore.
sand now. my dear" continued the
dame. in her most Wheedling tone and