The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-05-11


'Only that it is the dearest face in the
world" replied Veronica, kissing the
laughing lips.
"Veronica," said Katherine, "whom,
at this moment should you consider
the very happicst girl in al the world.n
'The very happiest OF all Oh, how
could tell ~
81 VIII ;ell you. 1t is myself, Kath-
crime Erandon. And can YOU guess
why an SO happy? 1t is becanse- oh,
Veronica, how shall l tell you Pit is
because someone whom l love very
much loves meme, you understand
Neronica-not my fortune, not Queens
Chdce, but me-loyes me-and has
asked me 10 be his wife"
"His WIFE, repeated Veronica, SOFT
". katherine, the laughter-loying
beauty, was suddenly invested win an
importance in her eyes which was
marvellous How wonderful - how
strange"
Nay, it is not strange, Veronica. 1
love him-he loves me. Can you CUES,
who 1t is -
Slowly the dark eyes wandered ov-r
the bright face, and then sad Veronica
answered:
at must be Lord Wynleigh.'
YES" si Katherine, simply, at is
Lord Wynicigh; and / am not one of
the haPpicst cut the happiest girl in ali
the world. Nevertheless l tell myself
that such great JOY rs mine cannot last
- that 4 time Will come VIII n must
sufler AM weep an grieve as ctncr p o.
pie do. What will il be for?' She looked
wiStiully at Veronica as she spoke. Il
have read" she said, ''of ships safe
enough TO sail in when the sea is calm,
but sure to sink when the storm comes
on. think l should be ike one OF
those ships-I should go down IN the
first storm"
"We viii hope then that storm win
never come" put in Veronica. ali it
depended on me there never should"
she adjeL "Still there is one thing
can safely promise you-one thing that
viii 90. Ii ever it lies in my roxer
10 give you happiness, will give il 10
you.'
And the time came when the mcm-
ory oi those words weighed down the
balance IN which she held both lives.
CHAPTER V.
As Veronica descen led the broad
staircase she looked in astonishment at
tn brilliant scene that met har gaze on
every side. The shining .hts, the
wealth OF evergreens, holly with lovely
laugh n crimson berries, the cr--eiuI
laurel with its shining leaves, the dark
stately fir and the sweet mystical mis-
tctoe-it was all like dram to her
Her heart warme1 as she gazed. If
this was an English Christmas, then
might Heaven bless Christmas for ever
more. Everyone had someth n. KIM
TO say there was a smile on every fare,
light in kindly eyes, music in the sound
of kindly voices. She thought that
while she lived she would never forget
the words, Il wish YOU a happy Christ
mas" anl the speakers the kindly
people 50 tender AMI true OF heart, were
the cold reserved English who her aunt
had told her were accursed She
looked 1T the noble faces OF the men,
faces that told OF rover anil skill OF
Co.rSs and seli-command, she looileI
at the fair blonde faces OF the iau-hin:
girls and the graceful women and she
thought that the English were a great
pcop.e, greater than the old stately
NcletianS. There was not even a unIe
oi envy in her heart as she noted the
lovely youn ser girls. She was quite
unconscious of her own picturesque
beauty, OF the poetical loveliaess of her
face, the grace of her figure clad in its
trli in. blSc.> robes. Among those fair
En-llsh sir.s she looked Ike gorgeous
passion flower IN the midst OF white
lilies
She never forgot the Christmas din
nar, her first IN England - the grand
table with its costly silver and delicate
glass, the proius:on OF towers and
fruits, the sparkling wines, the laughter,
the general ar OF happiness, while out
side the W nj walled among the leaiiess
trees and the stars shone in the Christ
mas sky. She SAW katherine with her
br ..h; laughing face and her handsome
young lover following her like = shadow.
Presently cir Jasper came up to her.
"Do you like our English way OF
keeping Christmas, Veronica ~ he
asked.
She looked at him.
ait is more beautiful than anything 1
/ have ever SEEN" she replied; and
then he turned abruptly away, for she
had looked at him with dead Giulias
eyes.
Veronica " said a low deep voice.
She turned quickly and saw Lord Wyn-
leigh standing by her side. "I have
come TO ask you ii you are pleased
Walk with me through the ooris. y on
have not wished me happy Christmas
yet"
Then 1 will do it now" she said;
and Lord Wynleigh raised her hand to
his lips.
katherine has been telling me how
dearly She loves you, and how good you
are TO her."
Il love her better than anything or
anyone in the world she replied.
He looked half sadly at her.
81 have to come he said, ''to ask
YOU for little share of that great affec-
ton which you give to my peerless
Kate l will deserve it. l will give
you the true, honest, frank, kindly af-
fection of brother to sister. Will you
accept ii ?"
She looked up at him.
q am bewildered," she said. 'What
have l done that Heaven should give
me so much-what have done Only
few months since no one loved me,
now"