The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-07-02


I have longed 50 often to take YOU in
my arms and tell YOU so. ] did not
love YOU when cvi! spirits whispered 70
me that YOU had cost YOUR mol her Eirr
life: but have learned To love EnU
sine" YOU have l1vrl here. NY daughter.
Kiss me. Ncprn;cI. Say Father, to
ile just once.
She laid lrr fair fac" on his. !:aIi'
frightened III lis drathiy chilli
MY tai;!r! IN; dear father, she
said.
You love me. Veronica You forgive
me-
Il love YOU. and have nothing 10
forgive See father. kiss You again.
Then Sir Jasper took two packets
trCm under his pillow.
There is another thing vet TO ne
tod. he said: "and this. my poor
Marie. know you will feel. feel it
myself: but cannot--I dare not die
until | have done justice TO Giulia 5
child. 1t is the law of or race-one
that have neither the power nor he
right to change hat. failing male
heir, the eldest daughter shall succeed.
You. Veronica Brandon. are my eldest
daughter, SO YOU are my heircSS
heireSS OF Queens Chacc and the 90
main Of HurStw0Od."
That cannot be cried Lady Bran.
dOn-"that is too cruel: it will Kill
Katherine"
i hope not" he said family. 1T
is crucl-Heaven knows l feel it to be
50: but it must be done"
Lady Brandon had drawn her hand
from his feeble clasp: her face tluhed
hOtly: her eyes were full of angry fire.
My child shall not be robbed" she
cried. II will appeal to all England
1t shall not be"
"-lll England could not prevent it.
Marie" he said sadly. My eldest
daughter must be my heireSs: after MY
death she becomes Baroness Brandon
Lam quite powerleSS in the matter.
1t is wickcdly UNJUST she cried
Il wonder at y0u. Sir Jasper-yOu who
ali your life have passed for an honor,
able man. You must not. YOU stlal
not. do my child this wrong
"iluSh. Naric.' he said. sadly. "Dc
not rcproach ne. my dear: | have Suf.
fcred enough. Listen. Veronica. This
is my will: in il You will find repeated
| the story OF my first marriage it
! yOu will find that have made you
what you are-my heireSS. have made
handsome provision for Katherine
handsome provision. Marie. for YOU"
You have robbed U.s." cried Lady
Brandon. What am l to say to my
friends when they hear of this:"
The barOnet continued
"ThiS second parcel. Veronica. con.
tains 81 the papers you will need tC
prove your identity-the certificate OF
your mothers birth. marriage. and
deatd. There is the certificate OF your
birth also, and every other paper which
your Aunt ASSunta thought necessary
to prove your claim. Take them. We
ronica. Kiss me, my daughter: my
strength fails me. Promise me one
thing in your mothers name-will you
promise. Neronica?"
With her white lips on his which
were no less white. she whispered
Il promise"
BE kind tom my wife and katherine,' -
he said. Promise me-
Il WILL" she replied. Then she rails
ed her head. for long Quivering sigh
from him frightened her.
60 and fetch Katherine" he said
"Kate-my own Kate"
Are you worse Jasper" cried Lady
Brandon, forgetting her anger n her
fear.
y smile that Veronica never forgot
came over his face as he turned to her
NO, not wOrSe-better." he said.
Il see it all now" And the next mo-
ment he was dead.
The two horrihed spectators stood
looking at each other, unable to move.
Lady Brandon cried out
He is dead-he is dead. Veronica"
Then. going up TO the bewildered girl.
she seized both her hands. Veronica. -
she cried, hide these papers. Promise
me, swear to me. that YOU will not
mention one word Of all this until
have spoken to you again. Swear it."
II promise" said Veronica.
And then Lady Brandon seized the
bcll-rope and rang haSty peal.
ITO BE CONTINUED