The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-07-02
A GILDED SIN.
BY CHARLOTTE N. BRBAMB.
CHAPTER VI.

A new life-a glorious new life,
bright, hopeful. pleasant, full OF poe
try, full of wonder and romance. The
time came when Veronica began 10
wonder what it was that had fallen
over her life. What was the dazzling
light that had fallen at her feet: Why
was it that from morning to night ano
from night to morning she had but one
thought-and that was about Marc
Caryll?
Christmas had passed now. and the
beautiful springtide had set III: Ihe
air was balmy with the sweet breath
of flowers. yet Sir Jasper had not re-
covered much of his strength The
doctors would not allow him to return
to his duties: he must rest II he woU!c
live. In vain the active. energetic
statesman rebelled. He refused tor d
time to submit, until, he saw the alb,
solute necessity for it. Then he founo
Lord Wynleigh Of great use TO him
He had been returned as member tOl
HurStwood. and had made his maiden
speech-to everbody'S great surprise II
was simply masterpiece OF e!oQuence'
Sir Jasper gave up some OF his duties
to the Young politician, about whom
people propheSied great things.
The baronet was very pleased. II
had ALWAYS been a source OF sorrow &c
him that he had no son to succeed tC
his honors: but he loved the brave
Young nobleman in whom all hathe,
rine'S happiness seemed to be centered'
When despondent thoughts came &c
him, he said to himself that ne shoulo
have a successor. He insisted upon
Lady Brandon's taking Veronica and
Katherine to London for part OF the
season at least, and nothing pleased
him better than to read her ladyshlp. S
letters in which she told OF Veronica
successes and triumphs.
1.-The girl can marry whom she will.
wrote Lady Brandon: her magnificent
beauty has brought all London to her
feet. She does not seem to care about
any one in particular"
Veronica had suddenly become fam
Gus. Her rare style Of face and figure,
her wonderful grace and musical voice,
had made her the observed OF all. She
received more invitations than she
could possibly accept. Every one ad-
mired and liked her. But, when Lady
Brandon had been in town few weeks
she decided upon returning. Sir Jas
per was no better. and the doctor at
tending him did not think it advisable
that he should delay consulting some
eminent physician. SO they went home
again, and, as he looked at his Two
daughters, the master OF queen S
Chace was struck afresh. Katherine IS
animated lovelinesS and Veronica $
pale beauty seemed to have acquired
fresh luster. Those few weeks in town
had wonderfully improved Veronica
they had given a finish and elegance to
hersuch as can be acquired only by mix
ing with the most refined. She haC en-
loved her visit, but not much because
Sir Marc was away. The season had
but little attraction for him. He was
not a man of fashion. A cruise to Nor
way had more charms for him than a
season in London. He had written to
say that he hoped to pass through
HurStwood in July or August, and
would very much like to spend a few
days there, to which Sir Jasper had re-
piled by sending him most cordial
Invitation, guessing shrewdly what
was the attraction: so that Veronica
had that to look forward to. and the
knowledge of it made her profoundly
Indifferent to all the homage offered
her.
The old bitter struggle was still go
ing on in Sir JaSper's mind. What
should he do? His heart was torn
with a thousand doubts, a thousand
fears. There was hardly an hour ofrthe
tWenty-four during which he did not
again and again review all his reasons
and doubts. Do as he would, one or
the other must suffer. Should it be
Catherine, the fair bright child, the
descendant Of the proud EaldoraineS:
or Veronica, who looked up at him
with dead Giulia's eyes? Which Of the
two should it be? He would have
given his life to save either. One thing
be had DONE He had sent for a strange
lawyer, and had made another will, IN
which he told the secret Of Veronica S
birth, and left to her the grand laherl-
tance of Queens Chace and Hurst
wood. That will be kept by him. Re
membering it, he was more at ease
whenever he thought Of her.
He grew worse. The doctors did not
apprehend any immediate danger; be
was only suffering from overtaXed
strength. from ills that might be re-
NEEDED. He did not even keep his
room. Sir Jasper himself was more
alarmed than the people about him.
Strange sensations came to him. There
were times when he fancied, as he
walked through the shady garden
paths, that strange voices called him:
be saw strange figures IN his troubled
sleep, strange faces smlledat nm from
the picture frames.
One day-how Veronica remembered
it afterward.-he had walked in the
grounds, and when the sun grew warm
he went into the drawing-room to rest
on couch. Veronica was there. He
asked her to read to him, and she did
so until he fell asleep: then she sat and
watched him thinking how very III he
looked, how white and sunken his face
was. Suddenly she saw his pale lips
culver: he opened his arms as though
to clasp them round some one whom he
loved, crying in passionate voice
'.Giulia, Giulia, my hearts love-.
She touched him gently. and his eyes
opened and look wildly at her.
"Giulia," he cried again, where am
I? It is you, and yet another
"Sir Jasper" said Veronica, YOU
are dreaming-you are i'll
He looked in bewilderment at her.
"Giulia'S eyes, he said, but
another face. What does it mean"
You have been dreaming" remark
ed the girl quietly: Can l get any
thing for you? Shall l bring Lady
Brandon?"
He gave a smothered moan.
''I-you are right. Eeronica-1 was
dreaming. No, do not call any one; !
want nothing. These June days are so
warm"
It was June then, when the days
were at their longest, and the bright
sweet hours were all filled with beauty
June, when Queens Chace was a
Il