Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-01-05
Continued.

that accounts for the trust, so far as
/ can account for it.
Lady Brandon had studied her hus
band long enough to know that, when
he spoke in the tone that he now did,
it was quite useless TO persevere in
making Inquiries.
Some friends whom he met in
Italy," she said to herself. Most prob
ably, as he is SO reticent, it was
political friend indeed, now l come
to think Of it, that solves the mystery.
There is political secret hidden I'M
der the mystery"
Once feeling sure of that, Lady
Brandon resigned herself to circuen
stances. a political secret, she
knew quite well, could never be forced
from her husbands keeping.
But what will you do with a ward
in Italy, papa?" asked Katherine.
Sir Jaspard turned his careworn face
to her, and it cleared little as he met
the gaze of the bright, sweet eyes.
THAT is the difficulty, Katherine" he
replied; "her property will be in Eng
land, and she must come TO live with
u.s."
Again Lady Brandon looked up,
This time there was some little con-
tempt on her face.
THAT is impossible, Sir Jasper" she
a stranger into the very heart of my
home"
He paused for a few minutes before
answering her, and then he said
gently:
"You have been so kind to me,
Marie, so attentive to my interests.
that am sure you will never refuse
anything that will be of service to
me-"
Would it be of service?" she asked,
quickly
Most assuredly it would" he an
swered. you would help me out of
real difficulty"
Then" said Lady Brandon, IF it
will serve your interests, I will with
draw my opposition"
Sir Jasper bent down and kissed the
white, jewelled hands.
You have always studied my in
terests," he said, "and | am always
grateful"
ut will be just as though [ had
sister" said Katherine; and the words
struck Sir Jasper like blow.
II wonder what she is like, papa?
Dark, I suppose, as she is an Italian?
We shall contrast we'll. I need not
be jealous if she is brunette. I will
be very kind to her. Is it her father
or her mother who has just died,
papa?"
Again he shuddered as the careless
words fell on his ear. He made pre-
tence of not having heard what she
said; and Katherine, with her quick
instinct, seeing that the question was
not agreeable to him, did not press it.
Both ladies settled the matter in
their own minds and according to their
lights. Lady Brandon concluded
that the dead friend had probably been
one who shared her husbands politi-
cal secrets; and Katherine thought to
herself that it was probably some one
whom her father had known in his
youth. They were both content, and
talked quite amiably about it. Sir
Jasper bore it as long as he could;
then he quilted the room and went to
his study.
you see, Katherine" said Lady
Brandon, eff the girl is really noble
and wealthy, it will be an acquisition
rather than otherwise"
II am pleased about it, mamma, y
1nfa 10 crir hoI III fo1 I1
want of a sister; now I shall have
one"
II would not say anything about
that, my dear, until you have seen
what she is like" said prudent Lady
Brandon: sit is always better not to
commit ones self in any way"
They discussed the matter in all its
bearings; there was complete con-
fidence between this mother and child.
Katherine laughed at her mothers
very candid worldliness; she leased
her about her worship of Mammon,
But she was very fond of her; while
Lady Brandon worshipped her beauti-
ful child; she thought there was no
one like her in the wide world; all the
love of which she was capable, the
love of her heart and soul, was cen
tered on and in her darling.
Meanwhile Sir Jasper was in a fever
of dismay. What should he do? II
was as though the dead ghost of his
youth had suddenly risen up before
him; he was utterly unnerved. Then
it became clear that he must send
some one to fetch her. Whom could
he send? He could not go himself; he
was not strong enough to travel; MOI
did he care to see again the place
where he had suffered so much He
decided that the best person to sent
would be his agent, John Segrave, {
sensible, experienced man of the
world. He went at once to summon
Mr.. Segrave; and, when he had reach
ed Queens Chace, he told him exactl,
the same story that he had told hi:
wife.
II want you to go to Italy, he said
Ito bring back with you young lady
my ward, who is for the future tt
make her home with Lady Brandon"
The agent set out, amply provide,
with funds: and then Sir Jasper spen
a day and night in terrible stat
of suspense. What would she b
like-this daughter of his lost Giulia
December came with its frost an
cold, it's biting wind and snow-boun
earth, before that question was an
swered. 1t was on the I'd of Decem