The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-09-09
CHAPTER II.

their new relative, Gregory Dysart.
CHAPTER II.
Vera, going quickly forward, moves to-
ward an armchair at the upper end Of
the room in which a figure is seated She
sees an old man, shrunken, enfeebled,
with face that is positively CHASTITY, be-
cause of its excessive pallor; a living
corpse, save for two eyes that burn and
CLEAN and glitter with an almost devilish
brilliancy.
80 you've COME" he says, without
making any attempt to rise from his
chair. Shut that door, will you? What
a vile draught! And don't stand staring
like that, it makes me nervous"
His voice is cold, clear, freezing. 1t
seems to the tired girls standing before
him as if breath Of icy air had suddenly
fallen into the hot and sitting room.
Vera, | presume" says Mr.. Dysart,
holding out his 1.-THE white hand to permit
her to press it. And you are Griselda?
L need not ask what lunatic chose your
names, as l was well acquainted with
your mother many years ago"
Il feel that | must think you at once,
Uncle Gregory, for your kindness to u.s."
says Miss Dysart, gravely, still standing
"Ay, ay. You acknowledge that" says
be. quickly Il have been your best
friend, after all, eh?'
You have given us a home" continues
Miss Dysart, in tones that tremble a lit
tie. But for you"
Yes, ycs-go on He thrusts out his
old miserly face as if athirst for further
words. But for me you would both
have been cast upon the worlds highway,
to live or die as chance dictated. To me,
to me you are indebted for everything.
You owe me much. Each day you live
you shall owe me more. l have befricnd-
ed you; | have been the means of saving
you from starvation" 80.
If so corpse-Gke face could show signs
Of excitement it shows it now, as he seeks
to prove by word and gesture that he is
their benefactor to an unlimited extent
The hateful emotion he betrays raises in
Griselda's breast feelings Of repusnauce
and disgust.
Il have consented TO adopt YOU" he
goes on presently, his cold voice now cut
ting like a knife. But do not expect
much from me. 1t is well to come to
proper understanding at the start, and
so save future argument. Honesty has
made me poor. You have been, l hear,
accustomed to lead a useless luxurious
existence. Your father all his life kept I'D
a most eytravagant menage, and, dying,
left you paupers." He almost Kisses out
the last cruel word.
Griselda starts to her feet.
The honesty of which you boast is not
everything" she says, in a burning tone.
Let me remind you that courtesy, too,
has its claims upon you"
"Hah, The word pauper is unpleasiny,
it seems" says he, unmoved. Before we
quit this point, however, one last word.
You are beneath my roof; l shall expect
you to conform to my rules. l see no one.
| permit no one to enter my doors save
my son. | will not have people spying
out the nakedness of the land, and specu-
lating over what they are pleased to call
my eccentricities. They will have me
rich, but | am poor, poor, 1 tell you. AL
ways remember that"
Griselda's features having settled them
selves into a rather alarming expression
Miss Dysart hurriedly breaks into the
conversation.
If you will permit u.s. she says, faint
ly, I'VE should like to go to our rooms, to
rest a little. 1t has been a long Journey"
Her uncle turns and touches the bell
near him, and Immediately, so immedi-
ately as TO suggest the idea that she has
been applying her ear to the keyhole, a
woman enters.
You are singularly prompt he says
with lowering glance and a sheer. This
is Mrs. Crunch" turning to Vera, my
housekeeper She will see to your wants.
Crunch, take these young ladies away.
My nerves." with a shudder. ARE all I'M
strung to the last pitch
Thus unceremoniously dismissed. Miss
Dysart follows the housekeeper from the
room, Griselda having preceded her
Through the huge dark hall and up the
wide, moldy staircase they follow their
guide, noting as they do so the decay
that marks everything around.
She filings wide n door for the girls TO
| enter. and then abruptly departs without
offering them word or glance. They are
thankful to be thus left alone, and in
voluntarily stand still and gaze at each
other. Vera is very pale, and her breath
is coming rather fitfully from between her
| parted lips.
| He looks dying" she says. at last.
| speaking with a heavy sigh. and going
nearer TO Griselda, as if unconsciousy
seeking a closer companionship. did you
| ever see such a face? Don't you think
| he is dying?'
Who can tell?' says Griselda. Il
might think it, perhaps, but for his eyes
| They"-she shudders-''they look as if
they couldn't die. What terrible eyes
! they are. and what 4 vile old man alto
| sether. Good heavens. how did he dare
so to insult us! l told you, Vera"-with
rising excitement-"I warned you that
our coming here would be only for evil"
y moment later a knock comes to the
door.
VIII you be pleased to come down
stairs OF to have your tea here?' de-
mands the harsh voice OF the housekeep-
er from the threshold.
| Here is on Nera's lips, but Griselda,
| the bold, circumvents her.
| Down stairs" she says, colby. when
we get some hot water, and when you
send a maid 70 help US to unpack our
trunks"
| There are no maids in this house. -
replies Mrs. Crunch. sullenly. You must
either attend to each other or let me help
YOU
No maids says Griselda
None" briefly.
And my room? Oh-is this mine. or
Miss Dysart's?'
! Both yours and Miss Dysarts; sorry
if it amt big enough" with derisive
glance round the huge. bare chamber.
| You mean. we are to have but one
| room between us?"
Just that, miss. Neither more nor
less. And good enough, too, for those
/ as"
Leave the ROOM" says Griselda, with
| a sudden, sharp intonation. so unexpect-
Ell, so whitening, that the woman. after
q surprised stare, turns and withdraws.
CHAPTER III.