The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-05-11
A GILDED SIN.
BY BERTHA NJ. CLAY.


derstanding. How should she ?
"Have l vexed you? ?" she asked. 'I
am sorry, for you are so kind
"You have not vexed me, Veronica
he said. "Why should you have done
so? English people are unused to
showing emotion-yours startled me.
am pleased that you like the jewels.
shall be glad to see you wear them
when your black dresses are laid
aside"
BY the middle OF December Veronica
was quite at home. How she loved
katherine, She had a strange, vague,
underlined sentiment about Sir Jasper
"a feeling that even she herself could
not understand. She was grateful TO
Lady Brandon; She would have done
anything for her. But D., was. katherine
whom she loved-thc beauti.U .,Iliuty,
cIpriCjoUs Young hciress katherine,
who lIad been the first to love her.
There WAS something almost pathetic
in the way in which she followed her
about AMI waited upon her. She would
have serve hnr almost on her knees.
She watched her every look, waited for
her every word. Lady Brandon was
amused by It, Sir Jasper was panied.
She I'm been introduced to most OF
their friends and neighbors; the bcauti-
iul Venetian girl whose face was study,
whose voice was like music, was ad-
mircd ly all who saw her. She went
with Katherine to all the balls, the
s,ircey, the parties in the neighJorhool,
where they rcigned rs squeens. There
was no jealousy, no rivalry between
them. low could there be, when
Veronica worshipped her brilliant young
sister,
80 Christmas came, and it was, IS
usual, KEEP, up in right goo English
style NJ Qucens Chase. Every man,
woman, and child ON the estate was the
happier .o- its coming, and richer; Sir
Jasper was most liberal. The friends
n, had iuvita.i came, and among them
was A,trn, Lori Wyn ei-h, WHO Ind
drcidesl not to leave Queens Chase
until he had won the hand OF It's hcircss-
lie conquered after 4 few DAYS hard
siege; the lovely, williul girl had
p,i-u;cd her troth 10 him, and he knew
that she would keep it sacred until
death. II was a pretty love-story, com
in. TO crisis on Christmas Eve, as he
held her under the mistlctoe and de
maudcd the forfeit.
Give me something else, Kate" he
said u KS from YOU is indeed 4
favo-, but I want something more
What do YOU ysant2' she asked.
Il want your love, your promise to
be my wife, your troth-plight. l want
you, my darling, to be my own forever
and ever. What do you say
The sweet flushed face drooped be-
fore his, the blue eyes could not meet
his own, TIE sweet lips opened but he
did not hear the faint whisper that came
from them.
"Katc," he said, S-shat do YOU say p?
You know, my darling, ii thought you
did not love me, would go away now
from ont OF the light OF your sweet
presence, and l wou,d-wcn, | should
be worth nothing al! the rest Of my
lie. You see, Kate, you are a great
Aletlt-- tAleAN HAAS sAAA NAAN NAAtANA aAAhA-
what difference does It make ?' she
asked.
"Just this-that If YOU were not a
great hcircss, l would make YOU love
mo. l would clasp YOU now in my
arms an kiss you until you SAID Yes
but
"Hut what, Alton ?"
Il. urged you too much, AMI prayed
and begged Of you as it is in my heart
10 pray, You might think carsd about
your fortune; but 10 not
Il am sure YOU 90 not" she replied.
My darlin.," he said, drawing her
nearer TO linn, You trust me you shall
SEQ that your trust IS not in vain. VIII
You bc my wife Kate -
The answer this time must have salts
fed him, ior he kissed the lips on which
il tremb,eI murmuriny words that
were sweetest music TO Katherine.
Il shall work for YOU, Kate" he
sni,I-~uy Kate, the bonniest Kate IN
ChristcnJom. / Will not ask you to
marry me until have male a position
worthy OF your fathers daughter. 1
have lcd useless life, but il shall be
useless no more. viii work for you.
Men shall neversay married an heiress
for her money Kate, your sweet love
has made a man of me. Tomorrow viii
be Christmas Day, and in the morning
shall 20 to your father and tell him.
VIII hc give you 70 me, Kate? ~
Il hope so, she replied silently.
Gle would 90 anything to make me
happy
That was why Sir Jasper sat on Christ
mas morning as the gay bells were ring
Ing, with saddened eyes and darkening
face, while the great heart OF the world
beat high with Joy. Lord Wynleigh had
waited upon him to make his formal
request for his daughters hand. Sir
Jasper listened kiudly-he had a great
liking for the gallant, handsome young
lover.
"What am l TO say to you, Wynleigh?
NY daughter has many suitors.
should like her to marry the one she
loves best" 4
"That is myself, Sir Jasper" he re-
piled, proudly.
Sir Jasper smiled.
"You think so. Well there is one re-
mark / must make. So far as regards
worldly goods you are certainly not
the most eligible lover"
sNever mind that, Sir Jasper" said
Lord Wynleigh. Il know it, and am
going to remedy it. DO not imagine
that am saying to you, Give me your
daughter now at once-my hands are
empty, but she viii fill them. 1t is not
that. / say, give me the hope OF one