Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-02-04

Something out OF the goodly past, some
vague touch Of decency belonging to the
days when he was young and happy, and
when honor was still word to which he
ciuag with all his might, renders this
coarse epithet, as applied to the pretty or
phans committed to his care. insupporr-
able
You hardly remember, perhaps, that
you are speaking of my nieces," he says
with an angry frown.
''Hoity toityI None Of your airs with
me-" says she, sternly. She advances
step nearer to him Remember, Dysar,
that l can either make or mar you. L
and I only"
II would were sure Of that" says he,
moodfly. But Have you forgotten
Sedley? He knew"
''Pish! He's dead; let him rest. What
a one you are to worrit! Twenty years
and more, and no sign of him, and l ask
you was he the one to remain quiet, if he
saw a way to forcing a sovereign out Of
you?'
''True, true" says Dysart, eagerly
catching at this suggestion. "And yet 1
would give much to know that he was In
the grave"
"Ay, and I in mine! I know you,"
says she, with an evil look. "You fear
me-"
Il fear nothing" says he, coldly.
What" says she. slowly. regarding
him closely; mot even that your son
should know?"
She pauses, pleased with her work. All
at once, as it weDe, on hearing this ques-
ton, the old may quails before her like a
beaten hound. frhe life goes out of him.
he seems to shtink into himself. and puts
out his hands jas though to ward off some
fatal blow.
mot that. Anything but that" he
mutters, feebly.
well, don't drive me to it," says she,
sulkily.
Remember, it was for him I did il"
cries he, sharply. After all my love, my
care, my secrecy, to have it now laid bare
to him! L tell you"-his fingers working
convulsively- than that he should
know, it seems to me that it would be q
sweet and simple thing to murder him
who would betray me-"
'''I'm not going to betray you," says
she. ''And as for saying twas for him
you did it, why"
For him. For his sake only"
"Partly, / think" says she, dryly.
Entirely; altoge. her. What other crea.
mother, as you know, hated me; and
when she died 1 was glad" says he
crushing his fingers together.
yet the deed was scarcely necessary
if done for him." says Crunch, holding
her ground. THAT old aunt of his-the
mothers sister-put want out Of the ques
ton for him.
II knew nothing of her desire to make
him her heir-then."
"You know it now, anyway" says she
with a nasty sneer. "And it is never toe
late to mend-to find by accident thai
paper you have just locked up"
Il have thought of it," says he, with
lowered brow and eyes bent upon the
ground. dreamed of it: and all my
dreaming has but convinced me thai
things had better stay as they now are
Into what better hands could they have
| fallen? Who would have husbanded il
| all like me? You know the care, the
trouble, the sleepless days and nights
| have devoted to the management of-o
| it. You know whether it has ever beer
| a Joy to me-rather a grief, wearying Of
the fesh,>a curse" The word comes from
between his lips with little kissing
sound. But it is all for him, for him.
he says. in a dying tone.
With restless, feeble steps he begins t.
pace the room.
HE believes in me. He trusts me; h
| alone-now! But if ever he were to learI
| the truth he would spurn me from him
| I swear to you"-he turns and fixes hi
| burning eyes on hers-"Id strangle 70,
with these hands," holding them out be
fore her, trembling with passion, We
strong and 1.-THE, 'before the words coul'
pass your lips"
I'm not going to play traitor. Tv
! told you that" says she, frowning. "I'v
had a chance before this if 1 wished to d.
it; and I'm not going to help his children
whatever happens" Her brow grow
black and her eyes tighten. May curse
follow him wherever he be, even through
| the gates of death!'
| "Amen," says Dysart, carelessly. Then
| in a different tone: 'Seaton is comin
home tomorrow"
| "You have a design" says she, fxin
her sharp eyes on him with a searching
regard.
''True; and think we'll of mentioning
it to you," says Dysart, slowly. ''Afte
long and careful thought l have decide
on abandoning more ambitious scheme
and wedding him to my elder niece
Vera"
| (To be continued1