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

faithful wire 10 me, Mdiie' NC &c
turned; but she was my first love"
Veronica had listened like one in a
dream. This was her history, then;
and the golden haired sister whom AS
sunta had never ceased to mourn was
her own mother She was the daugh-
ter of the famous statesman, Sir Jas
per Brandon, who was looking with
such wistful eyes into her face.
"You are my own child Veronica"
he said while Lady Brandon wept as
one who could not be comforted-
my own daughter-dead Giulia's
childi l have longed SO often to take
you in my arms and tell you so. did
not love you when evil spirits whis-
pered to me that you had cost your
mother her life but have learned to
love you since you have been here,
my daughter. Kiss me Veronica.
Say Father to me just once"
She laid her fair face on his, half
frightened at it's deathly chill.
"My father-my dear fatherl" she
said.
"You love me, yeronica-do you
forgive me?"
Il love you, and have nothing to
forgive. See. father. kiss you
again"
Then Sir Jasper took two packets
from under his pillow.
"There is another thing yet to be
told" he said "and this, my. poor
Marie, know you will feel feel it
myself, but l cannot, l dare not, die
until have done justice to Giulia's
child. 1t is the law of our race. one
that have neither the power nor the
right to change, that, failing male
heir, the eldest daughter shall succeed.
You, Veronica Brandon, are my eldest
daughter, so you are my heiress-the
heiress OF Queens Chace and the do
main of Hurstwood."
"That cannot be-" cried Lady Bran
don-"that is too cruel; it will kill
Katherinel"
II hope not" he said, family 1T is
cruel-Heaven knows ! feel it to be
SO: but It must be done"
Lady Brandon had drawn her hand
\ from his feeble grasp; her face flushed
holly. her eyes were full of angry fire
"My cn.ld shall not be robbed" she
cried 81 will appeal to all Eng.
land 1t shall not be-"
"All England could not prevent 1t
Marie" he said. sadly my eldest
daughter must be my heiress; after
my death she becomes Baroness Bran
don. am quite powerless in the
matter"
ut is wickedly unjust" she cried
Il wonder at you, Sir Jasper-you wins
all your life have passed for an hon
orable man. You must not you shall
not, do my child this wrongl"
Hush. Marie!" he said. sally. "D'
not reproach me. dear; l have suf
fered enough. Listen. Veronica. Thil
is my will. In 1t you will find re
peated the story of my first marriage
In 1t you win find that have mad,
handsome provision for Katherine
handsome provision, Marie, for you.
you have robbed us!' cried Lad!
Brandon. What am to say to m!
friends when they hear Of this?"
The baronet continued:
This second parcel, Veronica, con
tains all the papers you will need t
prove your identity-the certificates o
your mothers birth, marriage. ant
death. acre is the certificate of you
birth also, and every other pape
which your aunt Assunta though
necessary TO prove your claim. TAX,
them. Veronica. Kiss me, my daugh
ter; my strength fails me- Promis,
me one thing in your mothers name
will you promise. Veronica"
With her white lips on his, which
were no less white. she whispered;
II promise"
BE kind to my wife and Katherine,
he said. Primrose me-"
II will, she replied.
Then she raised her head. for long
auivering sigh from him frightened
her.
Go fetch Katherine" he said
'Kate-my own Kate"
"Are you worse. Jasper" cried Lady
Brandon. forgetting her anger in hei
fear.
A smile that Veronica never forge
came over his face as he turned to her
9No. not worse--better, he said. :"
see II all now" And the next mo
ment he was dead.
The two Mortified spectators stood
looking at each other. unable to move
,sLady Brandon cried out:
"He is dead. he is dead. Veronica!
Then. going up to the bewildered girl
she seized both her nands Veronica,
she cried. hide these papers. Promise
me-swear to me-that you will MOI
mention one word of all this until
have spoken to you again. Swear t."
II promise" said Veronica.
And then Lady Brandon seized the
bell-rope and rang hasty appeal.
CHAPTER VII.
r noon the following day peace and
Quietness reigned in the house OF
death; the passionate weeping and
wailing. the first wild outbreak of
sorrow, were over. The doctors who
had been summoned in such hot haste
mad given their decision-Sir Jasper
had died OF disease OF the heart. There