Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-02-07
CHAPTER XIV.

Going to where Tom Peyton Is dill
gently wedding, Griselda takes him to
task.
Why didn't you tell me your sister
was the sweetest woman on earth?" de
mands she, in quite an aggrieved tone.
Because she isn't" says Tom, striv.
Ing with a giant dock that has treacher-
ously concealed itself beneath the spread
Ing leaves of magnificent dahlia; you
are that"
Nonsense" says Griselda; and then,
"Oh, Tom! what do you think she is
going to do-at once? She is going to
make an effort to induce Uncle Gregory
to let Vera and me stay with her at The
Friarsl Only fancy il she succeeds (,
Wasn't it perfectly lovely Of her to think
OF ity'
"Oh, she isn't bad" says her brother,
broadly; but may 1 ask how she pro
poses tackling the old gentleman"
Through Seaton."
IF Seaton helps her"
The words die on his lips, his jubilant
air forsakes him-having turned a cor
ner of the secluded pathway they had
chosen, they run right into the arms of
Seaton Dysart, For a moment the two
men gaze blankly into each others eyes.
What is the meaning of this masque-
rade?' demands Dysart presently with
an angry frown; what brings you here,
Peyton. in that dress, and with my
cousin?'
You certainly have every right to
ask" says Peyton, with a rueful glance
at his damnatory clothing, but surely
you might guess the answer. The fact
is. I'm-in love!' He makes this con-
fession with a careful artlessness not to
be surpassed.
"In love?" exclaims Dysart, frowning
still more darkly.
Quite So" amiably; five fathoms
deep. And your father being so-so-ex-
elusive" making hard fight for civil
word. Il couldn't manage to see her in
any orthodox fashion, so l took service
here"
Her? whom?' asks Dysart, changing
color. A sudden light flashes into his
eyes; to him, as to Tom Peyton, there is
but one her in the world.
Why, Griselda,' says the latter, as if
amazed at the others stupidity.
And what do you suppose will be the
upshot of all this?'' sternly.
That. my dear fellow. is what l have
never yet gone into. But marriage,
hope"
"Pshaw" says Dysart, impatiently;
''and what of Griselda?''
"Griselda has confessed that she-iikes
me a little. l say, Dysart,' with a sud-
den change of tone, you won't tell your
dad-eh?'
Il am much more likely to tell your
sister" says Seaton, angrily.
You needn't. She knows. She was
here just now, and is full of desire to
kiduap Griselda and carry her away to
The Friars. l say. Dysart. my sister de-
pends upon you to make your governor
give his consent to the girls going on a
visit to her; you won't disappoint her.
ehF"
IN do what l can" gravely; but l
shouldn't advise you to be too sanguine
as To the result of my interference"
True to his word. Seaton managed, af
ter a hard fight, to secure his fathers
consent that Vera and Griselda might
pay u two weeks visit to Lady Rivers
dale
1t is quite five O'Clock when they
rive and enter the spacious hall of The
frIarS. that now is iilleu with a delicate,
s"mh"r light. A crimson stream from i
painted window, somewhere in the dis
tance, casts flood OF glory, blood-red, at
Nera'S feet. and a comfortable tinkling
OF spoons clinking against china smites
their ears
At the top of the room. reclining in
rather Gstless fashion on some velvet
cushions, are two little girls, quite lovely
enough to arrest the gaze of any casual
observer. They have given in to the Gu
rIo>ity attendant on the entrance of the
new guests. and fix their large wide eyes
on Vera, who, in turn, looks back on
them with a certain interest.
Lady Riversdale, by word-an in
tenScly proud. fond word-had intimated
that they were her cnIIuren. The young
er. taking her courage in both hands,
sIinS her little slim ingerr -2der the
narrow gold bangles that adorn Vera's
wrist. and begins to push them up and
uoWn with a childish. diffident gesture.
Nhats your name?" asks she, gravely.
Vera"
Nera.' Both children repeat the
WORD with a sort of qualification. but
tell us-you have another name. haven't
youI'
Dysart." confesses she. softly.