Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-12-20

q e .SHh18 Q
she says, laughing softly. and looking a,
aim a little shyly. but so prettily. But
lor you, one cannot say where we should
be now."
She bows to him, and SO does her sis.
er quite as graciously, and then the
horses once more commence their snail
Ike progress. grinding through the dusty
road at the rate of three miles an hour
The little episode is over: the young man
settles his soft hat more firmly on his
bead, picks up his rod, regards it anx.
iousiy to see that no harm has come 10
it, and disappears once more into the
'helter Of the cool wood.
Half an hour later they are at the en-.
rance gate Of Greycourt, and practically
at their journeys end. Both girls, with
an involuntary movement, crane theil
necks out Of the carriage to get q first
glimpse at their future home, and then
turn dismayed glance on each other.
Anything more dreary, more unfriendly,
yet withal grand in its desolation, could
hardly be seen.
How dark it is." says Griselda, q
nervous thrill running through her. as
they move onward beKleth the shade Of
the mighty trees thafSc!asp their arms
between her and tho glorious sky-thus
blotting it out.
A sudden turn briggs them within view
of the house. A beautiful old house ap-
parently, OF red brick. toned by age to a
duller shade, with many gables. and over
grown in parts by trailing Ivy, the leaves
Of which now glisten brightly in the even
ing sunshine.
The coachman, scrambling to the
ground, bids them in u surly tone 20
alight. He is tired and cross, no doubt,
by the unusual work Of the day. And
presently they find themselves on the
threshold of the open hall door, hardly
knowing what to do next. The shambling
igure of man about seventy, appeared
presently from some dusky doorway. he
waves to them to enter the room, and,
shutting the door again behind them with
a sharp haste, leaves them alone With
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 figure is seated. She
sees an old man, shrunken, enfeebled,
with Q face that is positively ghastly, be-
cause. of its excessive pallor; a living
cornse. save for two eyes that burn and
rslenm and elitts6s5 et6 with an almost deyilish
$50 you've come" he says, withou
making any attempt to rise from his
chair. "Shut that door, will you? What
vile draught! And don't stand staring
like that, it makes me nervous"
His voice is cold, clear, freezing. 1t
- - Il
him as il a breath Of icy air had sudde My
fallen into the hot and sitting room.
Vera, 1 presume" says Mr.. Dysart,
holding out his 1.-THE white hand to permit
her to press it. "And you are Griselda :?
names, as l was well acquainted with
your mother many years ago."
Il feel that l 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
he, quickly. 'I 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, yes-go on" He thrusts out hia
old miserly face as il 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 bef-iend-
ed you; l have been the means Of saving
you from starvation"
IL SO corpse-like a face could show sign.
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 or repugnance
and disgust.
Il have consented to adopt you," he
Soes on presently, his cold voice now cut
ling like a knife. But do not expect
much from me. 1t Is well to come to a
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 up
a most extravagant 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 IL unpleasing.
it seems" says he, unmored. Before we
quit this point, however, one last word
You are beneath my roof; shall expect
you to conform to my rules. l see no one.
| permit no one to enter my doors save
my son. 1 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 l am poor. poor, tell you. AL
ways remember that"
Griselda's features having settled them
selves into rather alarming expression,
Miss Dysart hurriedly breaks into the
conversation.
III you will permit u.s." she says, faint
". I'VE should like to go to our rooms, to
rest a little. 1t has been long journey.
Her uncle turns and touches the bell
near him, and Immediately, SO immedi-
atelv as to suggest the idea that she has
been applying her ear to the keyhole. .
woman enters.
You are singularly prompt" he says,
with a lowering glance and sneer. This
is Mrs. Crunch" turning to Vera. my
She will see to your wants.
Crunch. take these young ladies away.
My nerves." with a shudder, ''are all un-
strung to the last pitch"
Thus unceremoniously dismissed, Miss
Dysart follows the housekeeper from the
room. Griselda having preceded her.
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 a door for the girls to
enter, and then abruptly departs without