Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-25
The MartlGt Seal.
BY JEANETTE H. wALwoRTH.
CHAPTER V.

one enucreu the room upSUalrS pre- pared for contest. She rather enjoyed the prospect of the fray. The necessity for some outlet to the pent-up excite mont of the day was laid upon her very strongly.
 Father, have you heard from Sib- lCy?" she asked, abruptly.
 "D-n Siblcy!" "As you please about that; but have y,m hcard from him? Dido tells me you had a letter this morning."
 "ll--n Dido!"
 "No objection in the world to that, either, if it will contribute to your pra,c of mind" She came forward with tho air of n Van Ambcrg entering the cage of some particularly untrustworthy animal Circumstances must decide whether ca jolery or the lash (tiguratively in this casc) must be uscd The shuffiing slippercd feet came to a halt just as their wearer reached an immense upholstered chair, into which he dropped with sigh of physical ex- hnustion.
 Ida had taken up position in the low cushioned window seat, where, clasp ing her hands about her knees, she sat slowly swinging one little dusty boot backward and forward, while she looked at her father as stcadfastly as she had looked at her mastiff Stepniak in the woods half an hour ago.
 Your boot is dusty, disgustingly dusty" said her father, peevishly, totally ignoring her twice-rcpcated question.
 Both of them are. It has not rained for two weeks, you know"
 And your attitude is excessively un- ladylil1e, Ida"
 ''So is ovcrsccing'
 She was calmly surveying the offend ing boot as it swr>Ag into and out of sight.
 You have not answered my ques- tion, father, Have you heard from Siblcy?''
 "Why should hear from Siblcy?" he snarled, showing a set of perfect teeth, very much as an angry dog might have shown his.
 ''Why? Because there are only two male Fairbanks left. Because it is not right that one of them should shut himself up scnselcssly in luxurious hermitage, and the other flee to the uttermost limits of the earth, leaving a girl to struggle with this horrid planta- ton. 1t is not right, father, and if you have heard from Sibley want his ad- dress. want to write to him.
 "What would you say to him?"
 ''I would tell him to come back home and take his rightful place as the master of Glenburnic."
 "I am not dead yet, girl"
 "You are to all intents and pur- poses"
 It was daringly uttered taunt. His eyes glittcred dangerously.
 His hands-idle hands, softer, winter and smoother than Ida's busy ones gripped the arms of his chair until white gristly spots appeared on every knuclllc.
 Look at me, girl!'' "Well, sir, am looking" She was, unflinchingly.
 'What do you scc?"
 "A very handsome man, in a perfect state of health. Not an old man. His hair is scarcely gray at all. And his eyes are positively luminous, especially just now that he is in a fury. I see a man who, with every faculty unim- paired, and, presumably, in his right mind, is yet content to live within the narrow circuit of four rooms, has his food brought to him as if he were n | cripple or an octogcnarian, and has ab- | rogated his rights and duties in life as completely as dead man could"
 She took no note of his Increasing | frenzy. His voice, cholled with pas sion, did not cause tho fluttering of a1 cyclid.
 ''I wonder if you have forgotten, Ida that l drove your brother Sibley out O this houSc?' No, sir, have not forgotten it." And do you know what for?'' "For daring to tell the truth, as have just done" "For less-far less," He was bran ! dishing his mcerschaum pipe menac ingly.
 eff don't speak 1t to you, father, nc one will. No ono cares enough for yol to do it. l want you to break tha senscless vow and take your place D the head of your own affairs; or clsC send for your son to do it. l am tireC of carrying your burdens and his. My own are great enough" She hat \ dropped taunts for serious protest
 Your own? Your burdens? I sup pose you mean Dennis Lorimer?"
 "rhat is one of the burdens l have laid down."
 Her face had suddenly grown as whit, as the wall behind her, but her sof musical voice remained perfectly steady.
 You have! By heaven, that look like itr'
 He sent Q heavy envelope hyin, through the space between them. Id looked at it amazedly. It was addressed to herself. She turned it slowly owe and over. The seal was intact. Sh look calmly into her fathers angr face.
 Thank you, sir"
 She got up heavily and walked tc wards the fireplace.
 "Where are you going?" MT. Fail banks asked. The tall back of hi chair hid them from each other, an the exertion of turning himself abou was too great.
 ''I am not going anywhere"
 He heard a soft crachling. A brigt
 blaze sprang up in the open fireplac'