The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-06-01

ment
"Now look" he said, 'at what is writ
ten here"
She bent over him and read:
"'AIy beloved daughter, Veronica
Brandon, hitherto known as Veronica di
Cynthia :! "
She cried out as she read the words.
1t seemed TO her as though Heaven
itself had cleared her.
Il hose are the words that the woman
iid not read he said ''They are clear
TO me. The moment my eyes fell upon
them understood it all. l know, just
as well rs If you told me, that Sir Jasper
married your mother long years ago-in
Venice, l should imaGne-and that she
died quite young, leaving you. Why he
gave you up / cannot even imagine
perhaps YOU will tell me; but it seems
TO me that he kept the fact Of his mar
riage profound secret-why l cannot
say. Then" he continued, 81 believe
that on his death-bed he gave YOU this
will, LEAVING as was right, his estates TO
You, his eldest daughter, and that you,
IN your noble generosity. vour great self
sacrifice. rather than disinherit your
sister, burned the Will and never men
toned it. 1t is so ?''
81 cannot answer you," she said. al
will tell YOU why. / took an oath of
sirEce with my hands upon my dead
fathers heart" Then she stopped with
a cry OF dismay. She had betrayed her
self
"Ic was your father thcn." said Sir
Mare. a knew it" He took her hands
in his. Sweetheart" he said, "ny life
has been a curse TO me since I lost you.
Forgive me-forgive my absurd folly,
my miserable suspicion, my unjust
thoughts. Give me the gr at treasure of
your love again and I viii promise on
my part the most inviolable secrecy-I
will never betray the secret Of your birth
or the secret Of the will. l DO not deserve
such pardon, but"
The answer was certainly rot given in
words. There was silence in the room
after that-silence full OF happiness.
How long had it lasted Veronica
started in alarm. Lady Brandon was
/ standing near her with q most alarmed
expression on her face.
"AIy dear Veronica" she was saying,
"where are you? Who is this with
You ?'
She looked still more alarmed when
Veronica raised her happy tear-staIned
face, saying:
LADY Brandon, this is Sir Marc. He
has come back, AMI We are friends
again"
I'VE are more than friends, Lady
Brandon" broke in Sir Marc; Eve are
lovers-and I hope we shall soon Jchus-
band and wife"
Then Lady Brandon went 10 seek for
Katherine; and while she was gone
| Veronica turned to her lover saving;
"Nlarc swear to me that you Will never
utter 4 single word to Lady Brandon
about the will-that you will never be-
tray ID her your knowledge OF my birth" "
He promised, and that was the only
secret Veronica kept from him. lie did
not know that Lady Brandon ever heard
either OF the marriage or of the Will.
81 knew it must be so, said the young
heiressi as she stood holding a hand OF
I -4..s- No.. .-,-, .-.-.-,..s
in a lovers quarrel that has nearly killed
Veronica, and now you have made it up
again. Mamma, their wedding must be
on the same day Is ours, and We viii
take Veronica 10 France until she grows
quite strong again"
And II was all carried out as she pro-
posed.
"What are those bells Ginning Ncron-
lea >" asked her lover as they walked
down the broad corridor together.
"What is it? The music seems quite
familiar TO me-"
They stood for few moments watch
ing the moon shining on the snow, and
listening 10 the grand hosannas oi the
winter wind as it swept over the woods
Then she turned 10 him and answered
at is The Oldest and sweetest music
that the earth knows-'On earth peace
goodwill toward men