Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-12-29
HER ONLY SIN
BY -
BERTHA NJ. CLAY.
Continued.

tOAL4huCo.
Marry" He with his heart in that
2ar-off grave! And the father, look
ing into his sons face, saw tragedy
there. He said no more to him for
A long time; but one day when he was
weak and i'll, he cried out:
Jasper, you must marry. My son,
let me see your children round my
knees before | die"
The words touched him greatly;
and that same day his mother came to
him with a pleased, expeCtant look
on her face.
Jasper" she said ''the daughter of
my dearest friend is coming to Queens
Chace, Marie Valdoraine, and l should
die happy if | could see her your
wife"
Lady Marie came, a handsome,
animated blonde, with the worship of
Mammon in her heart. She was
most lively and fascinating. She won
the heart OF Sir Francis. She made
Lady Brandon love her; even Jasper,
with the shadow of his dead love
darkening his life, was pleased with
her. Lady Marie Valdoraine was of
the world worldly; she knew the just
value of everything.
She saw that there was no position
ia England more enviable than that of
Lady Brandon of Queens Chace, and
she determined that it should be hers
She devoted herself so entirely to Jas
per that in certain way he relied up
on her; her keen worldly knowledge
and her just appreciation of persons
and things were useful to him.
'If you are really going to devote
your life to politics. said a friend to
him one day, you should marry
Lady Marie. She could manage
everything for you"
And the end of it was that, to give
pleasure to his parents, he married
Lady Marie. But he was not quite
honest with her He did not tell her
the story of his marriage; he could
not have Borne her questions, her
wonder her remarks, and have lived;
his dead love was too sacred, far too
sacred, for that, but he tod her that
he had no love to give her, but honor
and esteem only.
Lady Marie smiled in the most
charming manner. She mentally con-
graduated herself-if she could have
all the good things that belonged to
Queens Chace without being leased
about love, so much the better.
The marriage took place, and every
one thought well of it; people said
that it was the most suitable match
they had ever known-universal ap-
prevail followed it, Sir Francis de-
clared he had nothing left to live for.
Lady Brandon was quite content
AS time passed on, it became more
aud more evident that the marriage
was a most suitable one. Lady Marie
Brandon flung herself, heart and soul
into her husbands interests; he
owned, himself, that she was his
right hand. When his reasoning
his clear, pitiless logic, failed, then
her powers Of fascination succeeded
Lady Marie Brandon became a power
in her way; her season in town was
always one Of brilliant success, her
drawing-rooms were always crowded,
people attended her balls and soirees
as though they had received royal
biddings.
Jasper had his reward When old
Sir Francis lay dying, he called his
son to his bedside and laid his tremb-
ling hands in blessing on him.
you have been a good son to me
Jasper" he said you have never
given me a moments sorrow or pain.
So in dying | bless you and thank
you"
They were pleasant words; they re-
paid him for having sacrificed his in
clination and married Lady Marie Val
doraine. Old Sir Francis died with a
smile on his face, and Jasper succeeded
him.
Some months afterward a little
daughter was born to him, who by
mis- mothers wish, was called Kathe-
ripe; and when Katherine was a child
of seven, Lady Brandon died. Then
Sir Jasper and his wife took up their
abode at Queens Chace.
The time came when his name was a
tower Of strength in the land. when
men rejoiced to see him at the head
of the mightiest party, when he be-
came the very hope of the nation from
his clear, calm judgment, his earnest
truth, his marvellous talents. No one
ever asked if he were happy in the
midst Of it ALL