Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1899-02-16
HER ONLY SIN
AEYA
BERTHA M. CLAY.
BERTHA NJ. CLAY.

70 Dufn, ana L was WIG 10 know what
it was. All at once had an idea that
you were destroying something that
belonged to Sir Jasper, and was de-
Cermined to know"
She paused while the beautiful face
gazing into hers grew deadly white.
Il invented an excuse to get you
from the room, Miss Di Cynthia" she
continued. 81 told you that Lady
Brandon had not answered knock at
her door. Then / took from the fire
the charred remains of the parchment.
1 saw quite distinctly the words,
Last will and testament of Sir Jas
per Brandon Miss Di Cynthia. It was
but a charred fragment l took it
away with me; and now, Miss Di
Cynthia, | accuse you of having burned
Sir Jasper's will You cannot deny
it; / have the proofs"
Veronica stood like one turned to
stone. She had lost all power Of
speech. The girl continued:
II can form no idea why you did it
that does not concern me; perhaps it
was for your own interest. They said
in the servants hall that Sir Jasper
had left you money; perhaps the will
you destroyed took it from you"
There was a flash as of fire from the
dark eyes.
81 do not wish to do you any harm,
miss. | have not mentioned what
saw to any one, and / never will; but
you must give me five hundred pounds
for keeping your secret. Give me that
and | will promise, | will swear, that
no allusion to what | have seen shall
ever pass my lips. Give me that and
! will bring the charred fragment to
you. | do not wish to harm you, but
Providence has given me this chance
and ! must make the most of It,
From that one moment / said to my
self that | would keep your secret UNI
til | could use it. Give me five hun
dred pounds and | will be as faithful
as death to you"
Then the power of speech came to
Veronica
Even If | would condescend to bride
you" she said, 81 could not; / have
not five hundred pounds of my own
money in the world"
You have rich lover" returned
the girl, with a significant smile. Sir
Mare would give you anything in the
world-his hearts blood if you needed
it,"
'Hush!" said Veronica, sternly II
will not allow you to say such words"
'You may do what you like, miss,
| Gh tn 81,
me five hundred pounds / will never
reveal your secret; If not, l will be-
tray it,"
What il l refuse?" said Veronica
Tell me the worst" In her heart she
new the worst must come; it was as
impossible for her to find five hun
dred pounds as it would have been to
find five thousand.
"The worst that is, If I fail to get
the money from you, must try to find
out who is the next most interested in
the matter. There is one thing you
cannot deny, Miss Di Cyntha-you
burned the will" She paused with
sudden cry.
Unperceived by either, Sir Marc had
entered through the open window, and
stood with a horror-stricken face,
listening to the last few terrible
words.
With an air of terrible bewilder-
ment he looked from one to the other.
Veronica was white as death; the
servant-girl insolent in the full
triumph OF her accusation, In the
knowledge of her victory. Veronica
looked round when she saw the sud
den dawn of fear in the girls eyes,
She uttered no cry when she saw her
lover, but cold, terrible shudder
sliced her. He came to her and took
her hand.
What is the matter, Veronica?
What does this insolent woman say?
Why do you allow her to insult your"
Truth is no insult, Sir Mare" put
in Morton.
Say the word, and will send for
policeman and will give her into
custody. heard little of what has
passed, and l see she is trying to ex-
tort money from you. Why not order
her from the house?"
| "Ah, why not?" cried Morton. in
solently. las you say. Sir Mare, why
not?"
Il take the duty upon II self" he
said; II order you not only To quit the
room. but to quit the house. Lady
Brandon will approve of what / have
zone when she hears of your con-
Duct"
Il shall not leave the room. Sir
Mare" she replied quietly. until J.
have Miss Di Cyntha's answer. She
knows what l want; let her say IL she
will give il to me-"
Sir Marc looked at her in bewilder-
ment.
Surely you are not willing to COM
promise with this woman. Veronica?
She must be punished; any attempt to
extort money is a crime that the law
Furnishes very severely. Do not speak
to her; leave her to me-"
Then he paused in bewildered
wonder; there was something he did
not understands shrinking fear In
veropica's face and an insolent
A..