Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-03-11
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 giant dock that has treacher.
ously concealed itself beneath the spread
ing leaves of a 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
Friars! Only fancy if she succeeds.
Wasn't it perfectly lovely of her to think
of it?'
''Oh, she isn't bad" says her brother,
broadly; but may l 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
ut his damnatory clothing, but surely
you might guess the answer. The fact
is. Tm-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. \ 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 p sternly
That, my dear fellow. is what | have
never yet gone into. But marriage, 1
hope"
"Pshaw" says Dysart, impatiently;
''end what of Griselda?"
"Griselda has confessed that she--likes
me little. l say, Dysart," with sud
den change of tone, you won't tell your
dad-eh?"
Il am much more likely to tell your
sister" says Seaton, angriiy.
You needn't. She knows. She was
here just now, and is full of desire to
kidnap 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,
eh?'
I'll do what l can" gravely; but
shouldn't advise you to be too sanguine
Us to the result of my Interference"
True to his word, Seaton managed, af-
ter hard fight, to secure his fathers
consent that Vera and Griselda might
pay two weeks visit to Lady Rivers
dale.
1t is quite five o'clock when they ar
rive and enter the spacious hall of The
FriarS, that now is filled with delicate.
somber light. A crimson stream from a
painted window, somewhere in the dis
tance, casts Il food of glory. blood red, at
Nera'S feet, and comfortable tinkliug
OF spoons clinking against china smites
their ears.
At the top of the room, reclining in a
rather iStless fashion on some velvet
cushions, are two little girls, qaite lovely
enough TO arrest the gaze Of any casual
observer. They have given in to the Gu
rioSity 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
tensely proud, fond word-had iutimated
that they were her children. The young
er. taking her courage in both hands,
slips her little slim fingers under the