Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-01-12
for her everything that she re-

! chase for her everything that she re
quires"
Her wants are legion" said Lady
Brandon; Hshe has literally nothing
except few picturesque old dresses
that would look very nice in an ole
curiosity-shop.
Lady Brandon set to work at once
She knew too well the effect of dress
TO offer to transform Veronica into &
fashionable English lady Every
thing she purchased was made after
some picturesque Venetian fashion
and Sir Jasper was pleased when he
saw it.
You have preserved the unities, he
said to his wife, with one Of those
rare smiles that SO altered the express
sion Of his face.
AS for Veronica herself, she could
not understand such attention.
All this for mel" she cried when
she saw the lace, the silks, the velvets,
! the thousand little elegancies that
make up lady's toilet, fans and
slippers, gloves and sunshades.
Then Sir Jasper brought her some
superb jewels, a set of rubies that
! suited her dark loneliness, a set of
corals, and a set of diamonds. The
girl raised wondering face to his
when he showed them TO her.
why do you do all this for me?''
she asked.
He looked down at her. She was
looking at him with dead Giulias love-
lit eyes
Why" he repeated. Because I am
your guardian. You will know more
some day
She took his hand and kissed it in
her strange, impulsive way.
you are very good to me, and I am
very grateful sic said.
But it seemed to him that GiuIia's
lips had touched him. He shrank
back pale and trembling.
Never do that again, child he
Said never again"
She glanced at him quickly, not
understanding. How should she?
Have [ veXed your she asked Il
am sorry, for you are so kind
You have not yeXed me, Veronica"
he said. why should you have done
so? English people are unused to
showing emotion-yours startled me. |
am pleased that you like the jewels. l
shall be glad to see you wear them
w j
aside"
By the middle of December, Veronica
was quite at home. How she loved
Katherine There was something al
most pathetic in the way in which she
followed her about and waited upon
her. She would have served her al
most on her knees. She watched her
every look, waited for every word.
Lady Brandon was amused by it: Sir
Jasper was panied
She had been introduced to most of
their friends and neighbors; the
beautiful Venetian girl, whose face
was study, whose voice was like
music, was admired by all who saw
her. She went with Katherine to all
the balls, the soirees, the parties, in
the neighborhood. where they reigned
as queens. There was no jealousy,
no rivalry, between them. How could
there be when Veronica worshipped
her brilliant young sister?
So Christmas came, and it was, as
usual, kept up in right good English
style at Queens Chace Every man,
the happier for its coming, and richer.
Sir Jasper was most liberal The
friends he had invited came. and
among them was Alton, Lord Wynn
leigh, who had decided not to leave
Queens Chace until he had won the
hand of the heiress. He conquered
after few days hard siege; the love
ly, wilful girl had plighted her troth
TO him, and he knew that she would
keep it sacred until DEATH
Give me something else. Kate" he
said. "A kiss from you is indeed
favor, but [ want something more
What do you want?" she asked.
Il want your love, your promise TO
be my wife, your troth tonight.
'HiiS Jou' any W US lily own
forever and ever. What do you say?''
The sweet flushed face dropped be-
fore his; the blue eyes could not meet
his own; the sweet lips opened, but he
did not hear the faint whisper that
came from them
Kate, said what do YOU say?
You know, my darling, if | thought
you did not love me, | would go away
now from out of the Iigh. of your
sNo,s3a presence he 'a1e; and wo1ld-well,
OF my life. You see, Kate, you are a
great heiress; that makes all the diff
ference
What difference does it maker"
she asked.
To be continued.