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

Christmas without neg SlectinT duti sS th3t
his conscience would not allow him to
neglect. He said TO himself that he mast
be content. There was no help for il.
lie must shut himself up in the old
Manor house, where VeronIca's sweet
face would never shine. Time would
pass when once he was over the seas
he would live on excitement Anything
would be better than staying in England.
Yet 10y night and by day-despite al.
his stern resolve TO forget NeronIca-he
~as always asking himself why she had
b-rncd the will-what her motive was
what she had gained by IT? Was it
ross. be that the viii took from her
,.ne legacy or gift2
al never thought that she even cared
for money" he said 10 himself over and
aver again. "She seemed 50 free from
al mercenary taint. Why did she de-
st:ov the viii ?'
The more he thought vbout it the
more ne WAS puzzled, the greater grew
,rs mystery. lie drove himself almost
mad with conjecturing; and he never
even iaini.y guessed the truth, it never
3a~ued across him
80 the time wore away; he bore pa
tiently al. comments and remarks Ii
was supposed by the world in genera.
that lac had been dismissed by Miss iii
CyriEIa no one bad even an inklIDg OF
/ The truth. lie grew pale and th:n dur
/ ing those few months; but they passed
| at !as;.
Two days before Christmas day all his
arrangements were made and he was
/ really to sail.
lie bethought himself then that it
would be only right to destroy the
/ charred fragments of the will, for IL they
fell into other hands there would be dan
| ger; and one wild day in December,
! when the wind was wailing and roaring
round the house, he went 10 the safe
and took from it the little parcel. The
snow was beating furiously against the
window, great masses OF cloud darkened
! the heavy skies then came 4 lull in the
storm. Never until the day he dies vii.
Sir Marc forget the hour and the scene
! With some curiosity he went to the win
dow to examine the charred fragments :;
vuite distinctly he saw the worls-"The
last viii! and testament of Sir Jasper
Brandon"
"Poor childr' he murmured to him
self. "What could have prompted her
to DO this most evi. deed?"
A little rohin-redbreast fell with hut-
tering wings on the window-sill, beaten
down by the snow and wind il lay
there tluttering, gasping, with its little
life almost gone. He was tendrr OF
heart, this man so stern in morals he
could not endure the sight OF the little
birds agony. He dropped the parch-
ment and opened the window. lie took
the little, helpless creature in, he warmed
| II and fed it, and then bethought him
self OF the will. lie hastene1 to pick il
up; it had opened IS it fell. and as he
raised it he saw words that he had not
seen before. He took it to the window,
and as he examined it his face grew
white, great dark shadows came into his
eyes, and he cried:
"Great Heaven! How is it that have
never even thought of this before ?"
CHAPTER NJ.
Great had been the consternat an at
Queens Chace when Lady Brandon, in
few cut words, said that Miss di Cyntha's
wedding was postponed Indefinitely.
The worst of it was there came no solu.
ton to the mystery-whether there had
been 4 quarrel or not no one could say.
All that was known WAS that Sir Marc
had left quite suddenly one day, and
that two or three days afterward thOs,
interested had been told TO cease al
preparations for the wedding.
No one was more astonished thar
Katherine when her mother told her the
news; and 1t first she refused to believe
it.
"There is some mistake, mamma
she cried; al would more readily be
!icve that Alton did not care for me-"
Unfortunately there is no mistake
said Lady Brandon sadly.
"Whose fault is it >" inquired RATHER
lee. "Not Veronica's am quite sur,
Inat Veronica loved Sir Marc more ,Iear
~ than | can tell. 1t always seemed tc
me that her love was her life. II can
not be Sir Mares, for he loved the very
ground she stood on i cannot under
stand it, mamma. What does Veronica
say ?"
Nothing. She only looks unutterably
sad and miserable, and begs OF me not
10 talk about il.
Il will 90 TO her myself" said Kath
crime impulsively.
at Is useless, Katherine" returned
Lady Brandon. She Will only be NOR,
miserable than ever"
But Katherine would not be con
trolled. She FASTENED up to Veronica
room and found her favorite s;andin;
by the window.
My darling. You have been ILL" sht
cried. Mamma says that you tainted.
Then she started, for Veronica hac
turned round to greet her, and tn,
change that had como over her was S.
terrible that the young heiress wa.
shocked. Veronica's face was pale anC
worn, the dark eyes were fearless, bu
there was in them q look OF iathomlcs
woe.
"Vcronica," cried the girl, at is tru
then! l can see from your face that
is true; there is no need to ask a ques
ton. You and Sir Marc have parted -
"Yes," she said drearily, "wc hav
parted, Katharine-not ior an hour,
day, or n year but forever"
Il will not believe it What has com
between you who loved each other S
well?"
81 cannot tell you," replied Veronic.
with long. low sigh.