The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-05-25
EBENSBURG, Pa FRIDAY MAY % 1885,

'aiSc Chdrse, whether you destroyed tilslt
will or not
Stlll there was no answer
Il swear to Heaven that | saw her 10
It, and that l have the proofs" cried the
maid. Il should not speak so plainly
before you. Sir Marc. but that hush
money will do from you as well as from
her"
Then Veronica spoke, she went up TO
him, and without looking at him, she
said
"Wil you send that woman away.
Marc? 1 shal; die if she remains here
vii! speak 10 you when she is gone"
1t struck him with a pa:c more bitter
than death that she had never once de-
MED the charge
go" he said TO Morton; "leave Miss
di Cyntha's presence, and never dare 10
seek it again. Leave this house at once.
If in one hour from now you are within
the walls, nothing will save you from
prison"
And nothing will save Miss III CYNTHIA
from penal servitu,le," she rejoined
The woman's persistence in her stoiv
astoun,led him, while Veronica silence
bcw:idercd him. 1t could not be true
of course it was ia.se; but it was evident
from her silence that there was mys-
terry.
Hush - The white lips had opened
again, ard voice that was unlike any
he had ever heard came TO him in the
sun!it Silence ado not drive her to ex-
tremes. Senl her away"
Then Sir Marc pointing to the door,
said:
"Go! Leave the house: but wait for
L w! see you there"
TIE woman ;c!t the room, and he took
Veronica in his arms.
"SweetEeart' he said, "what is this
mystery: Why d:d You not deny that
woman's OUTRAGEOUS cta-ces Ny Yer
onica burn a VIII, You cannot think
how i; has distressed me" lie kissed
the white cold face, which looked as
though neither warmth ncr color could
ever brighten itaSain his heart was full
OF keen, into e:ac:c pain. There is
some mystery, Veronica" he went on;
Il can see that. Tel me what it is"
i canno:, she said.
And the two simple words were more
tc.r.o.e to linn than any ot!.e:s.
AT lest. my darling" he pleaded. tell
me tat Il is not true. L cannot endure
t..at you shouid remain silent ua.rT such
4 Case; il Is unwoman.y a!most-,lenv
it. | ask no ex- -a=a::on OF the mystery;
my sweetheart shal! be rs free and uniet-
tered as the wind that blows. But l dc
ask this-deny those horrible words
Then she looked at him with the
pa:.or OF death on her face. She tried
TO speak lightly. but her lips t:a:ra.et.
She tried TO smile, but the smile died
away.
What if I could not deny it, Marc?''
His face famed hotly.
Great Eesven, Veronica" he cried,
ado not Jest over such a subject as this
do not Jest about crime l could not
have thought you capable OF such light
words"
81 am not jes.:ac." she answered,
family; Il never thought of DO 20 So"
Size raw his :ace grow stern and his
Veronica" he said, 'answer me one
question-it ie your own fault that have
10 ask it's the w7Tan charge true?
She SAYS that she ho.,ls proo!s-is IL true?
TEL me-JId YEA burn VIII or did you
not? Answer me-"
She knew that it would be useless to
resist her fate even if she could lie
Morton would proIuce the charIed frag-
ments rs evidence. She - Veronica -
would not attempt to screen herself.
He must think what he would.
"Did you destroy viii, Veronica ?''
he repeated. Answer me = shall 20
mad with suspense"
She raised her white face TO his, and
spoke slowly:
at IS G':.te true" she said 81 did burn
Sir Jasper Brandon's last VIII and tesla
mcnt vet. listen-I would deny it if
dared, but if that woman holds those
fatal p,0G:s it is useless
lie drew back from her as though she
had stabbed him.
''You do not mean it, / am sure" he
said--'you cannot mean tit would be
too horrible. You are saving it TO try
NV .ove-only for that-to try NV faith,
my darling; you could not have done
it,
"Was it so great crime? ?" she asked
simp.y.
"A crime 81 he repeated. "The per
son who could even ask such a question
,,,,,e, l,a Ja,l 70 oil SapSa of ,,o,o, 81
shame \ crime l should place il
next to murder"
81 did not know it." she said softly;
81 never thought of that
He looked at her in horror
''TEen you did it-you really and truly
did it, Veronica ," he SAID.
"Yes, 1 did If, Marc" she replied
sad:y.
"What was the reason? Why did you
do il? What was your motive? Tell
me that 1 may understand"
Il cannot 10 that" she replied sadly
Il can tell you no more than this. that
OF my own accord burned that will"
Great Heaven" he cried, 1t is in
credible. Did any one else know 90
Il cannot tell you," she replied.
-N as anv one e.se present ?"
"No," she answered
"Was the Will you destroyed one
against your own interests? Did it take
money from you, or what ~
She raised her dark eyes in solemn
] wonder at tine question.
''lou must think what you will of my
motives" she replied-'I cannot explain
them 10 you."
alt is incredible,'' ne cried 81 could