Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-02-23
ne would suffer tenfold.

Must we part, Veronica?' he said
1--WE who have loved each other wit
so great love,-must we part?"
Unless you can trust me and lie
me keep SILENT" she replied.
Il cannot trust you; l can only sa.
| goodbye. Goodbye, Veronica. Yo1
have broken the heart of the man VIII,
has loved you as few have eve
loved. FAREWELL"
He did not touch her hand, or kiss he
face, or stop to utter one more word
Perhaps if he had done so, his strength
would have failed him. He left he
standing there in the sunshine will
the bitterness of death hanging owe
her.
He at once went in search of Lad.
Brandon. He found her in the prett!
morning-room alone. She cried gu
when she saw his pale, set face.
What is the matter, Sir Marc? Wha
is wrong?" veronica and I have hat
some unpleasant words We have haC
quarrel that can never be healed
and we have parted forever
Lady Brandon held up her hands ir
dismay.
Can it be possible, Sir Marc, thai
you have parted with Veronica? Why
it will break her hearti 1t must moi
be. Let me go to her; let me talk tC
her. If she has offended you, she will
am sure, be very sorry; let me go t.
her. know how she loves you, my
poor Veronica
1T is quite impossible" he said
hurriedly. "This quarrel can never be
healed; even if Veronica wished it,
could not
"You are angry, Sir Mare" asserted
Lady Brandon; "and when your anger
subsidies, you will be sorry for this
Il shall regret it all my life" he
said; mo one knows that better than
| do. There will never dawn an
other happy day for me. Lady Bran
don, I am lost, ruined man"
F'You will think better of it," she
told him. How could you quarrel wi 81
Veronica? I know no one like her;
she is so good, so tender of heart, SC
true, so loyal"
"No more!" he cried, shuddering. 81
can hear no more!"
"You must hear me-" Lady Brandon
persisted. 81 cannot have Veronica
sacrificed to a mere fit of temper
ct is worse than that" he declared
Have you thought what the world
will say, Sir Marc? Her wedding
dress is ordered-the trousseau is pre-
pared. Everything is being put in a
What am [ to say?"
''There is nothing to say" he replied
gloomily, except that Veronica has
dismissed me. l will take all the
blame, all the shame, all the dis
grace. But, Lady Brandon, there is
one thing I should like to ask you.
Do not talk to her about our disagree
ment. Do not ask her any questions.
That which we have quarrelled about
lies between us dead secret. Promise
me that you will not ask her any
questions; it will only distress her
and do no good"
But, Sir Marc, will you not trust
me and tell me something, at least?"
NO." he replied. F'You have been
very kind to me, Lady Brandon; let me
say goodbye to you, and thank you
heartily for all your goodness to me-"
"You will surely stay and see Kathe-
rine?" cried Lady Brandon.
mo. Tell her that I had not the
courage to stay and see her, but that |
hoped she would be kind to Veronica. -
Then Lady Brandon broke down and
wept passionate tears.
You will break Veronica's heart,
she cried; you should not leave her"
Heaven bless you for a kind
hearted, generous woman!" he said
bending down to kiss her hand. 81
wish all women were like you. I shall
go at once. You will see that all be-
longing to me is sent after me, Lady
Brandon?"
But she only sobbed that he should
not leave Veronica.
GO to her." he said; land, Lady
Brandon, while you comfort her, dc
not speak to her of me-" The next
moment he was gone.
She was almost too bewildered tC
know how to act.
Il would give much to know wha1
the quarrel has been about" she sale
to herself; ''but 1 suppose 1 shall
never learn" And then she went tt
VerOnica's room.
The unhappy girl had fallen wher,
| hny 1nJ-AT cd of l..
one dead on the floor. Lady Brandon
raised her; she tried to bring bacl
consciousness to her; and then sh
thought to herself, eff she really love
him so we'll, and they have parte,
forever, it would be more merciful t.
! LET her die"