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

ing in her fingers 4 ripe sunny peach.
"Thi, is just like kathcrine'S
cheek" she said laUghing!y. And she
looked 50 like her mott her at That mo
alenl thai ht could have cried alOHd il
Ills longing love and pain.
"lou hI\r learned 10 love ha'ltr-
riue. N"ronica:" Ne said gently.
"Bcttcr lhau love life she said.
blushing 10 ind that she no longer said
Better than | love any one else in Tie
world
He looked up at her suddenly.
Have YOU learned IL love &l".
Neronica:" he asked.
Yes. Just as dearly. ne replied.
Then they were >ilcnt-hc mite
with emotion. she wondering that he
should speak 10 htr in this strail-hc
who had aIway> been 50 distant and 50
reserved. Then ne was restless all the
da;. When evening came. he asked
Katherine 10 sing all her Old songs 10
nim-lhc songs he loved best: and
Veronica tancicd that his eyes filled
with tears. Then. when it WAS grow
ing later, he called Katherine 10 him.
She knelt down by his side. and he
drew her golden head down on to h!S
breast.
My child. my darling" he said.
have l been kind to yoU:"
Always. papa" she replied.
Have YOU had a happy life-hatIc,
tell me-a happy litc:"
Yes" she answered. Papa you
know that have never had one mo-
ment care or trouble. one moment S
sadness. ever since was child.
THANK Heaven for that: ne Siio
gently. "IfI should die, kalie-dle
and leave you-would any one eve!
make YOU think me unkind-eNer make
YOU love me less?
No. never. papa" she said, laugh
ing at the notion, never"
kiss me. Tell me you love NE. he
said. Will you remember in the
after years that would have given my
life II any time 10 save l0H from pam:
"Yes.* replied katherine, and, Obey,
iMg his wish. she claSp2i h"r tender
arms round his ncck. ! love you very
dearly. papa." she said. more tnan /
can tell YOU. and am longing 10: the
day 10 come when YOU Will he strong
anu well again.
Later still. when Katherine was 60
ing to her room. he called her TO him,
and. taking the bright young fare be-
tween his hands. he kissed il.
Good night. my darling. he said:
'and NAV Heaven ever bless YOU.
She wondered at the Solemnity OF the
words. little dreaming that she had
heard his voice for the last time.
You are not quite 50 well tonight,
Jasper" said Lady Brandon.
NO he replied There is a
strange Huttering at my heart-l feel
faint--it will pass away. The day has
been 50 very warm.
- wish,' said Lady Brandon. that
YOU would consult Sir William flctcl-
er: they say that he is the cleEereSt ply
sician in England.
- will see about it. replied Sir
Jasper.
It was lovely June night, one OF
those nights that never seem to grow
dark: air was rich and heavy with the
oder Of the sleeping flowers, the dew
lav or the white lilies, on the roses, on
the purple paSSiOn-tioWerS. the wind
stirred ever so family the fresh green
leaves. 1t was one Of those nights when
it seemed impossible to turn from the
sweet face Of nature. Veronica had
stood for more than an hour at the
open window Of her room, when one OF
the servants came to say that she was
wanted in Sir JaSper,S room.
is Sir Jasper wOrSe?* asked Ncro-
MICA in alarm.
The valet said he seemed very i'll.
miss replied the girl: but there was
nothing said about his being worse. >
Without loss Of time Veronica left
her room. She had not undreSSed. She
still wore her evening dress OF rich
black lace with crimson flowers. She
had taken the diamond stars from her
hair, and the black shining waves fell
in rich profuSion over her shoulders.
On her neck cleaned cross OF rubleS
and diamonds. She walked through
the long corridors, where the moon
light lay in great silver floods. making
everything else darker by contrast. Sir
Jasper could not be worse. she th0ught:
the servants were most OF them IN bed,
and. there was no confusion: She went
to the door of his room-a room she
had never entered. 1t was ajar, and
Lady Brandon stood nearit. She look
ed very pale and anxious. She had on L
white dreSsing-gOwn. and was toying
nervouSly with the blue ribbons.
Il do not undertand it, Veronica,
she whispered. "Sir Jasper has sent for
YOU and for me-he wants Us partlcu-
larry. No one else is to come near. he
looks so strange l am half frightened.
Come in"
Veronica entered the Statesman,s
chamber. 1t was d large and magnltl-
Gently furnished apartment. She saw
wonders of rosewood and buhl. Sevres
china, statuettS. pictures and books.
On the bed with its Silken hangings she
saw Sir JaSper-Sir Jasper. with a
grave look on his face and dark shad-
ows round his eyes. She went up to
him, and his eyes, looking into hers,
told her that some strange. unrevealed
secrets was between them.
CLOSE the door," he said-"faSten it
securely: no one must interrupt me.
Marie, my wife. come here. 1t is You
who will have to forgive me. l have
sinneC against you: but my sin always
appea ed to me in better light than
that il which l see it now. It is 4
gilded Sin-a sin so Shr0uded with
sentiment. reserve. poetry. SenSl-
tiveness, that | hardly know
W here the wrong begins or ends-a
gilded sin, my poor Marie. and the
will fall on an innocent
head. Veronica, come nearer to me.
I have sent for you--I have story to
tell. Kneel here where may see your
face. Keep those eyeS-dead Glulla' S
eyes-tiXed on me TO the last. that my
strength and my courage may not fail
me. Marie whom ! have wronged.
give me your hand have Il story to
tell you
The night lamp was partly shaded:
its feeble rays fell on the grave face. on
the dark wistful eyes. on the thln
white handS-fell on the two kneellns
figures. on Neronica'S beautiful face
and Lady Brandon,s troubled features.
The wind. when it stirred, sent great
spray of clematis beating against the