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

you viii come 10 me; Ia ever YOU want
help OF any kind you will remember
that on Christmas Day you promised
a stalwart brother to let him stand be-
tween you and the world"
Il shall never forget" she said.
And Lord Wynleigh left her standing
by the door OF the conservatory while
he went in search OF Katherina.
Veronica was unutterLbiy haypy
into her gray dull life such threads OF
gold were woven that she was dazzled
by them She had hungered AMI
thirsted Tor love; now it was lavisiled
upon her. She stood on the same spot
still, unconscious OF her pictures .ue
loneliness, watching Katherine and her
lover and as she watched them strange
sweet possibilities of life came hoating
to her. She had thought OF herself so
long and SO often as one apart from
others, as ons for whom lie held no
pleasures no hopes; now was the dawn
OF golden morning, now the sweet
vague deiicious fancies that thrill the
heart OF i young girl thrilled her. 1t
might be that IN the golden far of
future such love as Atoms Tor Kath-
crime would fall TO her lot. Perhaps
her life too woald be crowned by that
most pure an perfect gift - noble
lover. Ifheaven had such happiness in
store for her
Il am afraid" said deep musical
voice near her, that YOU viii take cold
there is quite a rush OF cold air here
Veronica looked up suddenly. A tall
stately figure stood between her ana
the light; dark gray eyes were looking
into her own She saw a handsome,
noble face, a proud, pyincely head Gov
cred with clusters OF fair hair. 1t Was
a face that from that moment stood ont
clear and distinct from all other faces.
The gentleman smiled at the hal.-be-
wiidered expression OF the dark eyes.
81 must introduce myself again. he
said. 4" Sir Jasper introduced me 10 YOU
Just before dinner, but was one OF so
many, cannot hope to have been motto
Ell. DO you not remember me ,"
no" she replied ~Sir Jasper intro
ducet so many people to me at once,
and English names are hard TO remem-
ber. I should be glad if you would tell
me yours she added, with some hesi-
tation.
"l-ou viii say that it is a strange one
p-rIlps," he said. Il am eir Marc
CarylL"
''-ir Marc Caryll," she repeated. a
shall remember that in connection with
the patron saint OF Venice Mark"
She could not tell why, but the name
seemed to sink into the depths OF her
heat like the echo of song. Then she
looked at him, and decid that, al
though she hal seen some noble men,
he WAS 10y far the handsomest and no.
blesi. There WAS an air OF coniman |,
oi power, OF authority about him which
pleased her. He looked like man
whose will was stror>/ and relentless,
whose purpose was fixed, whose iudg-
ment was clear and decided. Self-re-
lance, courage, bravery-all those quail
itics were written on the fair handsome
1dtt- lliIl udtl III II a. LlultS - Nuiiiiii
sweetness and the simplicity of chiId.
\ swift sudden thought came to her
that a lie would be safe in those strong
hands OF his-honor, fair fame, every
thing might be intrusted to him, and
the trust would be kept.
Sir Mare smiled at her.
az can read your thoughts" he said,
"you have been estimating my charac-
ter. witt not ask YOU what you think
OF IT; viii only say hope your con-
clusions are favorable. Miss di CYNTHIA,
try one dance with me. Chris, mas Day
Is past; and an example has been set
us
Veronica remembered that Christmas
night-it was the beginning OF new
lie to her. The vague sweet possibili
ties that had thrilled her as she watch
ed Katherine took shape now-vague,
beaut ful shape; something awoke in
her heart which had never been there
beiore-sometimes so tender SO sweet,
that the girls whole soul was moved by
ii. Life was never TO be the same again
Tor her; she had inherited something
oi the quick love and the quick hatred
that characterized the Branions. She
had in her more OF her fathers nature
than her mothers.
@Your face is poem," said Sir Marc
later on that same Christmas night
"a poem that should never tire OF read
ing"
She danced with him, she talked to
him; more than one amused glance
| followed them-she with her dark Ven
etian BEAUTY, he with his Saxon comeli-
ness; they seemed to have forgotten
| the world. Once Sir Marc TOOK her to
the great western window in the broad
corridor. and drawing aside the hang
ings, he said to her:
s'Look, Miss di Cyntha-I want you
to see the poetry OF an English Christ
mas.
Veronica cried ont in wonder and
awe. The sky was of deep, dark, faith
omless blue; the moon was iull, and
shone with clear silvery light; the
earth lay white, still, and beautiful un-
der the pale clear beams; the hard
frost made the tall leaAess trees look
darker, and the hoar-frost shole in the
light of the moon. The winI walled
among the trees, bending tkeir tau heals
and swaying the huge branches.
"How beautiful ~ she cried "There
is nothing in all Venice so fair as this
Thought there was no poetry in Eng
land; but it is full OF it. This looks Ike
fairyland."
'You will try to love England ?" he
said.
- do love it without try.nr," she re-
Piled Il could almost fancy there was
some mysterious reason why my heart