Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-02-13
CHAPTER, IN.

CHAPTER IN
While the two girls were discussing, in
Il frightened way. the result of Griscl'la's
imprudencc. Seaton was having tusslc,
sharp and severe, with his father.
They are all alone in the world he
says.
Eyes, yes" acknowledges the old man
with IL frown. Except for me-" hastily;
II alone came to their rescue"
THAT is true. 1t was quite what 1
should have expected of you!'
why should you expect it! There was
no reason says the old man. sharply.
ut was of my own free will that | took
them. DO you question my Kindness to
| them? What more am to do for them?
Would you have me knce at their feet
and do them homage! Have l not eX-
/ planned to you how DESTROYS l am of max
ing one of them my daughter? Ha. l
have you there, l think! Is not that af
lection: Am l not willing to receive
her? You should best know
'Ycs.' says the young man, stonily, his
eyes on the ground.
why, look you: would give her even
you. You! My son. My one possession
that has any good in it"'
You must put that idea out of your
head once for all. | could not combat
dislike active as hers
Her dislike? Hers? That beggar"
his face working. What dye mean, sir?
| tell you it 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. 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 within of a girl, 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 Il 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.
"IIere. sir Be patient. All shall be
as you wish. implore you to think no
more of this matter. Yes" in answer to
the fiery eyes now more CHASTITY than
ever in the pallid, poweress face Il
shall try my best to fulfill your desire"
He feels sick at heart as he says this,
and almost dcspicable; but can he let the
old man die for want of Il word to APP
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 appcase-
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 Sections departure from his
fathers den, and now. at last, seeing
the coast clear. goes quickly forward
Uncle Gregory, l wish to say some
thing to you," she is beginning, hurried
! ly, hating her task and hating her nearer,
when suddenly she is interrupted.
"lIah. For the first time, let me say,
| am glad to see YOU says the old man,
grimly. Hitherto | have been rcmiss.
! fear. in such minor matters of eti
! uuptte. Sit down. |. 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 hm?' with watchful
glance.
Il can hardly say so much," coldly.
"lIc is neither more nor less than a com
plcto stranger to me-"
AS yet. Time will cure that; and |
! speak thus early to you, because it is
we'll that you should make up your mind
beforehand to like him.
"Why?" She asks.
"Hconuse in him you see your future
husband"
There is Il dead pause. The old man
sits with bright unblnking eyes fixed
! upon the girl. who has risen to her feet
and is staring back ut him as if hardly
daring 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. contemptuousy.
Call it so if You will with an offend
ed flash from his dark eyes. but regard
it as Il fact for all that. You will marry
your cousin, let me assure YOU"
That | certainly shall not" decisive
ly.
THAT you certainly shall. Did you
, not know that your marriage with my
son was the last WISH the last commald
of your father?"
He is lying well, so we'll that at first
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 wish
to see the letter?'
This is a bold stroke. Vera hesitates-
then, NO" says She steadily. Even
if my father did express such wish,
should not for moment accede to it.
shall not marry to please any one. dead
or living. except myself"
80 you now think. We shall see," re-
turns he. in an icy tone.