The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-09-23
CHAPTER VI.


diEginess and gloom of that melancholy
apartment sinks into him as he moves
rather discontentedly, but with mans
unfailing instinct, toward the hearth-rug.
1t is not all gloom. however, as he pres
emily discovers, in this dreary place. Some
one rises languidly from a low chalr-a
girl, a lovely girl, as ne instantly admits
and advances about the eighth part OF
an ordinary foot toward him.
They are wonderfully alike, the father
and son, and yet how wonderfully I'M
like. 1t seems impossible that with ex-
pressions so utterly at variance so strong
4 resemblance can exist, yet 1t is there.
The one, the old face, mean, crlnglng,
suspicious. wicked; the other. cold, honor
able, earnest and beautiful. The girl,
watching him with distruSt in her eyes,
reluctantly acknowledged this last fact.
I'm extremely sorry if I've kept you
waiting for dinner he says, advancing
at Il quicker pace, once he sees the pretty
girl in white and holding out his hand.
But the fact is | was dreadfully tired
when | arrived, and I'm rather afraid
fell asleep
The day is warm" says she, coldly.
The likeness to his father seems clearer
TO her as he speaks, and kills for her all
the charm of his face.
Very; but | don't fancy my absurd mt
of laziness arose from that. Rather from
the fact that l haven't had wink OF
sleep for the last two nights
Two nights.' says she with faint
accession of interest. "Toothache! Sick
fricnd?"
"Oh, no. Ball-carjs," returns he, con-
cisely.
All says she, this time rather short
ly.
You are Griseda, l SUPPOSE says
he, pleasantly.
Why should you suppose it, asks she,
with faint smile.
True Why should ~ returns he,
laughing. Perhaps because" with a
steady look at her, Il have been told that
my cousin Griselda is a person possessed
of a considerable amount of-of charac-
ter"
by that you mean that you have heard
Griselda is self-willed," says she, calmly.
And as it is evident you think look the
part also, | am afraid you must prepare
yourself to meet two self-willed cousins
| am not Griselda."
If she had fancied that this announce
mcnt would have put him out, she is I'M
deceived in 4 moment.
NO." says he looking distinctly anus
ed. There is comfort in the thought that
I cannot again fall into error, because you
must be Vera"
Yes, | am Vera" slowly.
Il fear you will find it very duh down
here
Your father has been very good to US;
more than kind" interrupts she, gently,
but with decision. He has given US a
home
Il should think he would be very glad
to get You here" says he. At this mo-
ment Grselda enters the room. A charm-
ing Griselda, in white, like her sister, and
with a flower in her sunny hair. She
trips up TO Seaton and gives him her hand
ana frank smile, that has just the cor
rect amount of coquettish shyness in it.
a man, to Griselda, no matter out Of
what obnoxious tribe he may have
sprung, is always a creature to be gently
treated, smiled upon and encouraged
so you've come at last to this Castle
Of Despair, says she, saucily i must
say, You took time to look us up. But |
don't blame you; life down her is too live
ly for most. 1t has quite done up Vera
and me-
The dismal sound of a cracked old din
ner gong breaks in at this instant on Girl
sclda 5 speech. They all rise and cross
the hall 10 the dining room, but lust in
side 1t a momentary hesitation takes
place. Dysart going to the foot of the
table, Vera stops short as if in some
surprise, TO look at him, question in her
eyes.
You will take the head of the table
/ hope" says he, in low tone. diyiuing
her perplexity.
But quickly, and then pause.
IF You wish it, of course" she saws, with
swift uplifting of the brows and an ol-
most imperceptible shrug.
Her manner somehow irritates him.
1 wish 1t, certainly" says he, coIdlv.
But | wish still more to see Won do oniv
that which you like
Il have few likes and dislikes." renIies
she, still in that utterly emotionless tone.
and sweeping past him, she seats HERSELF
at the head of the table.
As for Griselda, the little jar in the So
cial atmosphere around her goes bv nm
noticed. so overcome is she hy the nm
wonted magnitiCcnce of the sight before
her, decent dinner table at Greycourt
She looks round her and loses herself n
little in the touch of fairyland the room
presents. 1t is, as it were, an echo from
the past, n glimpse into the old life when
her father still lived, that she hardly
knew was dear to her until she had lost
it. The glitter of the silver, the glass.
the intense perfume of the glowing flow
erS, the rich tint of the fruits, all seem
part of a DREAM sweet ore, too.
Mr.. DySart is wondering Why both girls
should have taken 50 instantaneous 4 dis
ike TO MIN. AS a rule, women were civil
enough: yet here were two to whom he
was an utter stranger, and aggressive
was the only word he could apply to their
looks and words, though both were stu
diouSly polite.
DO you stay long?" asks Griselda pres
emily, looking at her cousin.
Il don't know how you may view it.
| return to town the day after to-mor-
row-very early on that day. Whether
| must or must not work for my living
IS thing that does not concern me. l
work-you will hardly believe it in this
/ proSaic ase-but l actually seek after
tame. l should like 10 get on in my pro-
/ ieSSion; To he more than mere trifer.''
You are charming" says Griselda,
| s2rcily. You talk ike book-a blue
| YOUR father will not let us see anyone.
/ Why"
Griselda." says Miss Dysart, a little
sharply. She rises as she speaks, and
/ pysart opens the door for her. AS
/ IEi>olda passes him he says, easily:
Il cannot tell you everything at once.
/ you see; but dare say there will be time
gwen ne. As for my father, he is &C.
centric, and, | fear. hard TO live with.
But If ever | can help you. call on me-"
GriSclda gives him smile for this. and
follows her sister into the drawing room.
After all, he isn't half bad" she saws.
with little nod
Il was right. however. Did you ever
see father and son so like?" asks Vera,
coid.y.
CHAPTER VII.
We'll. I'm off, says Griselda. poking
her pretty head into the summer house.
where Vera sits reading 1t IS next day,
AMI very lovely day. too"