Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1899-02-16

inSolent woman say that you had |
bnlned will, that you could not deny
it. know the meaning of that. She
brings this false accusation against
you, meaning to extort money from
you, and you very properly refuse to
give it to her. She ought to be sent
to prison"
Stop, Sir Mare" said the woman.
angrily; you speak too fast. Ask my
mistress whether my charge against
her is false or not"
Il will 1ot insult Miss Di Cynthia by
any such question" he replied.
Then you are unjust" she said.
You accuse me of bringing a false
charge; ask Miss Di Cynthia whether
The charge is true or false-she will
not deny it If you ask her."
Still there came no word from The
white lips that were closed so
strangely.
Il refuse to do any such thing" he
returned.
Again, Sir Marc, say that you are
unjust. | accuse Miss Di Cynthia of
having in her own room, unknown to
every one, and, as she thought, unseen
by every one, wilfully burned Sir Jas
per Brandon's last will and testament,
More than that, / can prove that she
did so. Now, Sir Marc, look from her
to me-which of us looks guilty?"
He looked at Veronica as though
half expecting an indignant denial.
none came.
Miss Di Cynthia" she continued,
tell Sir Marc, who accuses me OF
bringing false charge, whether you
destroyed that will or not"
Still there was no answer.
Il swear to Heaven that I saw her
do 1t, and that | have the proofs. .
cried the maid. 81 should not speak SO
plainly before you, Sir Mare, but that
hush-money will 10 from you as well
as from her."
Then Veronica spoke; she went up
to him, and, without looking at him,
she said:
"Will you send that woman away,
| Marc? | shall die if she remains here.
| will speak to you when she is gone"
1t struck him with pang more BIT
ter than death that she had never once
denied the charge.
Co." he said to Morton, leave Miss
Di Cyntha's presence, and never dare
to seek it again. Leave this house at
once. II in an hour from now you are
within these walls, nothing win save
you from prison"
And nothing will save Miss Di
Cynthia from penal servitude," she re-
Joined.
The woman's persistence in her story
astonished him, while Veronica's ST.
| lence bewildered him. 1t could not
be true-of course it was false; but it
was evident from her silence that there
was mystery.
"Hush!" The white lips had opened
again, and voice that was unlike anv
ne had ever heard came to him in the
sunlit silence. DO not drive her to ex-
tremes. Send her away"
60! Leave the house; but wait for
me at the railway station at Hurst
wood. / will see you there"
The woman left the house, and he
took Veronica in his arms.
Sweetheart" he said, what is this
mystery? Why did you not deny that
woman's outrageous charges? NV
veronica burn will! You cannot
think how it has distressed me-" He
kissed the white, cold face. which
looked as though neither warmth nor
color could brighten it again: his
heart was full of keen, intolerabIe
pain. There is some mystery, Ver-
onica, he went on; Il can see that.
Tell me what it is"
Il cannot" she said
And the two simple words were more
terrible to him than any others.
AT least, my darling" he pleaded.
sell me that 1t is not true. / cannot
endure that you should remain silent
under such charge; it is unwomanly.
aimost-deny it. ask no explanation
OF the mystery; my sweetheart shall
be as free and unfettered as the wind
that blows. But do ask this; deny
those horrible words"
Then she looked at him, with the
pallor of death on her face. She tried
TO speak lightly, but her lips trembled
She tried to smile, but the smile died
away
What If could not deny it, Marc?"
His face flushed holly.
Great Heavens! Veronica" he cried
do not jest over such a subject as
this-do not Jest about a crime, /
could not have thought you capable
of such light words"
Il am not jesting," she answered
family; II never thought of doing So"
She saw his face stern and his ewes
take cold, hard expression.
Veronica" he said, answer me
one question-it is your own fault that
| have to ask it: Is that woman's
charge true? She says that she holds
proofs-is it true? Tell me-did You
burn will. or did you not? Answer
me-"
She new that il would be useless IN
resist her fate even If she could lie
Morton would produce the charred
fragments as evidence. She-Ver-
oniea- could not attempt to screen
herself. He must think what he would