Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-01-10

erai years Of his life to possess; but Dy-
sait is disgracefully unmoved by it, and,
refusing to return it, steps outside, and,
with a decidedly unwilling air, proceeds
to lift the dropping tendrils and reduce
| them to order.
Griselda, naturally a girl Of great re-
source, seizes the opportunity she has
herself provided. Catching Vera's arm,
she draws her back out of sight.
"Now's your time" she says. "Say
something. Do something. It doesn't
matter what, but for heavens sake
smooth him down one way or another! II
you don't you'll have the old man down
upon us like
Il can't" gasps Vera, fearfully.
You must" insists Griselda, sternly.
It's impossible to know what sort Of
| man he is. If revengeful, he can play
| old Harry with us!''
Without waiting to explain what par
| ticular game this may mean, or the full
| -i-LiScance thereof, she steps lightly out
| side and gazes with undisguised rapture
| lpon Dysart's work.
Dysart returns to the summer house
with all the manner Of one in mad haste
to be gone. It Is merely a part Of an un-
pleasant whole. he tells himself. that he
must first say chillingly courteous word
Or two Of farewell to the girl who has
openly declared toward him such an un-
| lying auimosity.
| Il am afraid" says Vera, speaking
with cold precision, as one delivering her
self Of an unloved lesson, that you are
going away thus abruptly because OF
what you heard me say this morning.
You are right. That is why l am 60
ing" replies Dysart, calmly.
Yes" in a chilling tone, and with
family lifted brows. Il regret exceed.
ngly that should have so unfortunately
offend you, but to go for that-it all
sounds a little trivial. don't you think p
mot by going, l think. don't see how
I can do otherwise. Why should 1 make
you uncomfortable? But you may cal
it trivial IL you like. to talk of detesting
a man you have only seen for an hour
or two, and who in those hours" He
pauses. Did make myself so specially
Objectionable" demands he, abruptly
turning to her with something that i:
surely anger, but as surely entreaty, in
his eyes.
zone says foolish things now and then
|
not really mean what you saidT'
Il would not have you believe any
thing" returns she, haughtily. II only
think it pity that you should curtai
your visit to your father because g
chance remark of mine that cannot pos
sibly affect you in any way"
rs that how you look at itT'
"Is there any other way? Why should
you care whether or not 1 detest you-I
whom you saw for the first time yester
1ayY
why, indeedv' He regards her alb
sently, as if trying to work out in hi.
own mind the answer to this question
and then, suddenly:
Nevertheless, I do care" he says
with touch Of vehemence. "It Is the
Injustice of it to which object. You
had evidently determined beforehand tc
show me no grace. l defy you to deny
it! Come, can your
Miss Dysart is silent. The very inn
petuosity Of his accusation has deadened
her power to reply, and besides, Is there
not truth in it? Had she not prejudged
by the bye" he says, II am afraid
you will have to put up with me for q
few hours every week. l shall promise
to make them as short as l possibly can
But my father likes to see me every sew
en- days or so, and / like to see him. Do
YOU think" slight smile crossing his
face, you will be able to live through
it?"
Il have lived through a good many
.hings," says Vera, her dark eyes afiame.
THAT gives you Il chance here; prac'
tice makes perfect. l am sorry to be
! obliged to inconvenience you so far, but
,, If l stayed away, l am afraid my father
might want to know why. He nigh,
even be so absurd as to miss me-"
why should you take it for granted
that l desire your absenceT' cries Vera
ner voice vibrating with anger. Come
cnain or stay away forcver-what is II
% mcI''
And it was thus that they parted.
(To be continued.)