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


Katherine" said Veronica. "And vet L
may tell you this. He asked me to do
something for him, and l refused; he
placed the alternative of parting before
me, and / took it. You will ask me
nothing more ?"
NO." she replied musingly-'that is,
unless you like to trust me more fully"
81 cannot" said Veronica, with
shudder; "he has gone, and We shat.
not meet again in this world yet was
worthy OF his love. To me il seems that
j have stood by him dead and kissed
him for the last time"
Her voice had in it ring of weary
dependency. her eyes were fixed with
strange, dazed expression, her hands
were folded and lay on her knees. She
looked up at Katherine.
Kate, give me one promise" she
said-'just one. Tell me that You will
never renew this subject. To renew it
viii be simply to give me bitter pain.
Trcmise me that You will never do 60"
Her lace had sucn al nnp.orn2 sook
hat the young heiress could not resist.
Il do PROMISE" she said; and then
or one minute the dreary calmness OF
he beautiful face was broken.
Kate, come and sit by me-" she re-
luested; 'l.t us talk of you-not of me
of you and your bright life, your hap
oy love" She took the young hcircss
caressingly into her arms. "Comc and
tell me, dear, how happy you arc-it
will comfort me a little. You are ali
the world to met will comfort me SO
much TO hear that you arc really happy;
talk to me about it," 1t seemed 70 the
.onely, desolate soul and the aching
heart that there would be some little
support, some little comfort, in hearing
that her great sacrifice had not been in
yain-in KNOWN. that katherine would
gain from her-Vcronica's-
at seems so selfish for me to talk of
happiness while you arc SO sad, Yer
| onica"
at Will comfort me-" she pleaded
/ "you do not know why, but it will COM
for: me"
"Then,' said the young hciress, 81
/ am happy, Veronica. My life is so
| bright, 50 beautiful, that l would not
change it for any other lie" She
! paused.
60 on" requested Veronica.
81 am rich" said the young girl, "and
i am Ike child love my position.
:ove my grand, beautiful inheritance" I"
| Then Veronica raised her head, and 4
faint smile came over her white, troubled
face.
"You arc sure of that" she questioned
eagerly-"G1.:e sure?"
"Yes, in:ecd l am" replied Kather-
inc. "No one cor.d even guess how
dearly love tie Chacc."
'Now tell me about your love-" said
Veronica.
"what can tell you, dear, save tha.
my love and my life are one-that
have no thought, or wish, or desire that
does not begin and end in Alton? Now,
has that conforted you ,"
"YesS more than anything you could
have said. You could have thought oI
nothing that would comfort me one-hali
so much. You will leave me now
Kate-I am the better for your coming
dear-and when we meet again all viii
be forgotten, except that We love cacl
other"
1t had not been all in vain then; tho
sun of her life had set in darkness and
gloom, but she had made one at lcas
happy. 80 the past was mentioned nC
more. She tried to bear her life. She
never complained. She was like dc
voted daughter TO Lady Brandon. ShC
WAS the most loving OF sisters to the
young hcircss. But day by day sht
grew more and sad; she grew pale an,
thin; Ehc began to hope that Heavier
would take Ditv on her "Hd let her ~:
soon- SO the winter months came round
and at Christmas preparations wero be.
gun for the marriage OF the young heir
css. Lady Brandon had invited a large
circle OF guests, AMI one Of them, not
knowing of tn. recent conirotcmps, having
just returned from Spain, spoke OF Sii
Marc Caryll, and said that he was goin.
to take up his residence abroad.
Veronica overheard it. She did no
speak; the lovely face grew palcr, and :
Ir.i OF unshed tears dimmcd the beauti
full eyes; but soon aiterward she wen
to Lady Brandon's room, her marvellous
scli-control gone N last. She stood be
fore her with look that Lady Brandor
never forgot.
"You must let me 20 away" she said
az cannot remain here. 1 cannot bea
IL You must let me 90 home 10 NcnicS
to die"
Then she wept IS she had never wep
in her life before, rs one who had NJ
hope-wept until Lady Brandon wa
alarmed, sci she herself was exhausted
Then Lady Brandon said TO her:
"You shall 20; 1 will take you. Yor
shall go to Venice, or where you viii
only va.t-wa:t, for my sake, until LII,
wedding is over"
So for the sake of the woman who ha,
influenced her so strongly she waited
but it seemed to her and to every on
else that those days brought her neare
death.
ado people ever die of a broker
heart? ?" she thcrsnt. "A year ago
was strong and well. l had color in IN
face and light in my eyes; L ha
strength in.my limbs and Joy in my hear
Now my strength has left me; peopl
look grave when their eyes rest on me
life is heavy burden that l would fai
lay down-and why? What has haE
pened? ? / have lost my lovel The ma
who took my heart from me has left IN,
snd-I may hide it as l may-I am pin
ing for one look at his face before die
Oh, Marc, my sweetheart, could you M
have trusted me even ever so little?