Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-01-17
CHAPTER, IL

nile the two girls were discussing in
frightened way, the result of Griselda' s
'!nprudence, Seaton was having a tussle,
sharp and severe, with his father.
They are all alone in the world he
says.
es, yes" acknowledges the old man
with frown. Except for me-" hastily
II alone came to their rescue
That is true. 1t was quite what I
should have expected of you.''
Why should you expect it? There was
no reason says the old man, sharply.
1t was Of my own free will rnat took
them. DO you question my kindness to
them! What more am to do for them :
would you have me kneel at their f. ct
and do them homage? Have l not ex-
piained to you how desirous l am of max
ing one of them my daughter? Ha. !
have you there. l think! Is not that af-
iectlonI Am ! not willing to receive
aer7 You should best know"
YES" says the young man, stonily, his
eyes on the ground
Why, look you; would give her ever
you! You! My son! My one possession
that has any good in itr'
You must put that idea out of your
head once for all. l could not combat
dislike active as hers"
Her dislike? Hers? That beggarv'
his face working. What dye mean, sir
tell you 1t shall be! Shall!'
Talking like that will not mend mat
ters. 1t certainly will not alter the fact
that l myself personally am objection.
able to her. l can see that it is almost
as much as she can do to be civil to me
to sit at the same table with me. l en-
treat you not to set your heart upon this
thing, for it can never be-"
Il tell you again that it shall." shrieks
the old man, violently. What! is the
cherished dream Of lifetime to be set
aside to suit the whim Of a girl, a penni-
less creature? She shall be your wife,
swear it, though l have to crush the
consent out of her." He falls back clum.
silly into his chair, a huddled heap.
Seaton in an agony Of remorse and fear
hangs over him, compelling him to swal
low a cordial lying on the table near
Here, sir. Be patient. All shall be
as you wish. l implore you to think no
more of this matter. Yes" in answer to
the fiery eyes now more ghastly than
ever In the pallid, powerless face, Il
shall try my best to fulfill your desire"
He feels sick at heart as he says this,
and almost despicable; but can he let the
old man die for want of word to ap-
pease the consuming rage that has
brought death lowering with outstretch
ed wings above him? And yet, of what
avail is it all? A momentary appease-
ment. Even as he comforts and restores
his father, there rises before his mental
vision that pale, proud. sorrowful face,
that is all the world to him, and yet.
alas! SO little.
Vera having made up her mind to go
to her uncle and fully explain to him that
neither she nor Griselda desire any
change in their way of living, waits pa
tiently for Seaton's departure from his
sather's den. and now, at last. seeing
The coast clear, goes quickly forward.
Uncle Gregory, l wish to say some
;hing to you," she is beginning, hurried
". hating her task and hating her hearer.
when suddenly she is interrupted.
"Hah, For the first time. let me say
I am glad to see you," says the old man
grimly. Hitherto 1 have been remiss
I fear. in such minor matters of eti
quette. Sit down. l, too, have something
to say to you" He fixes his piercing
eyes on her and says, sharply: You have
met my son several times"
YES" says Vera.
You like him?" with watchfu
glance.
Il can hardly say much" coldly
He is neither more nor less than a com
,lctc stranger to me.
As yet. Time will cure that: AMI
peak thus early to you. because It l.
we'll that you should make up your mine
beforehand to like him.
Why she asks.
Because in him you see your future
husband"
There is a dead pause. The old mar
sits with bright unblinking eyes fXeC
upop the girl who has risen to her feet
and is staring back at him as if hardly
laring to understand. From red to white
from white to red she grows; her breath
fails her. passionate indignation burns
hot within her breast.
"'Absurd!' she says, contemptuously.
Call it so if you WILL" with an offend
ID flash from his dark eyes, but regard
I as a fact for all that. You will marry
your cousin, let me assure you
That | certainly shall not" decisive
ly.
That you certainly shall. Did yor
not know that your marriage with my
son was the last wish, the last command
of your father"
He is lying well, so we'll that at hrsl
the girl forgets to doubt him.
My father?" she says. with much
amazement. He never so much as men
toned my cousins name to me-
ITO me, however, he did. Do you wisl
TO see the letterT
This is bold stroke. Vera hesitates-
then, NO" says she, steadily. Ever
if my father did express such wish, /
should not for a moment accede to it
shall not marry to please any one, dead
ur living, except myself.
so you now think. We shall see, re
turns he. in an icy tone
May ask if-if your son is aware o.
this arrangementT
my son is willing says MT b'sai'
slowly. : .brovn
Ar this moment the door is thro"b
opea and Seaton himself enters.
won KNOW she cries. Her tone II Is
low. but each word rings clear as pen
..You know, oh. coward! she preathes
vc-v low. her slender hands cilncheo.
Housed from his lethargy and stuhs ny
her contempt, he would now have made
his defense, but with scornfui ses'ule
she waves him aside and leaves 'ne
room. .o +o
"Great heaven! how did you dare SO u
Insult her?" cries the young man, IN yer
rib,e agitation, addressing his father. Iis
casts a burning glance at him. DsSa'
covers before it. ,,,.
"Out of evil comes good" he says SUI
ioply "and l did it for the best ne
stretches out his hand to his son' GEE