Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-01-05
Continued.

hand long enough TO know that when
he spoke In the tone that he nov did,
it was quite useless 10 perseYere IN
making iqlquiries.
some friends whom he met in
Italy. she said 70 herself Most prob
ably, as he is so reticent, 1t was
political friend; indeed, now | come
to think of II, that solves the mystery
There is a political secret hidden un-
der the mystery"
Once feeling sure of that, Lady
Brandon resigned herself to sircum-
stances A political secret she
knew quite well, could never he forced
from her husbands keeping.
But what will you do with a yard
in Italy, papa" asked Katherine.
Sir Jaspard turned his careworn face
to her, and 1t cleared little as he met
the gaze of the bright. sw eet eyes
THAT is the difficulty, Katherine, he
replied; "her property will be in Eng
land, and she must come to live with
us"
Again Lady Brandon looked up.
This time there was some little con-
,empt on her face
THAT Is impossible, Sir Jasper" she
said, Il could not think Of receiving
a stranger into the very heart OF my
home"
He paused for 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 1t be OF service?" she asked
quickly
Most as uredly it would he an
swered you would help me out of a
real difficulty"
"Then,' said Lady Brandon, "if it
will serve your interests ! viii 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"
1T will he just as though had a
sister" said Katherine; and the words
struck Sir Jasper like a blow
II wonder what she is like papa?
Dark, suppose, as she is an Italian?
We shall contrast we'll I need not
be jealous II she is brunette, | will
be very kind to her. Is it her father
or her mother who has just died,
papa"
Again he shuddered "a the careless
words fell on his ear. lie 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 &C..
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 1t was probably some one
whom her father had known in his
youth, They were both content, and
talked quite amlably about IT, Sir
Jasper bore II as long as he could;
then he quilted the room and went TO
his study.
You see. Katherine" said Lady
Brandon, 'if the Girl is really noble
and wealthy It viii be an acquisition
rather than otherwise"
II am pleased about It, mamma, 4"
cried the girl II have always felt the
want OF sister now l shall have
one"
Il would not say anything about
that. my dear, until YOU have seen
what she is like" said prudent Lady
Brandon; ut Ia always better not to
commit ones self in any way"
They discussed the matter In all its
bearings; there was complete con
fldenCe 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 heauti-
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 unueryed Then
1t became clear that he must send
some one TO fetch her Whom could
he send Tie could not so himself; hi
was not strong enough 30 travel; noi
did he care TO see again the plac,
where he had suffered SO much. He
decided that the best person TO send
would be his agent John Segraye. q
sensible experienced man of tn,
world Tie went az once to summon
Mr.. Segraye; and, when he had reach
ed Queens Chnce he told him exactly
the same story that he had told hi,
wife
Il want Won Go 20 10 Italy" he said
tyf.. fe .HsN.