Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-01-23
CHAPTER II.

Vera, going quickly forward, moves to-
ward an armchair at the upper end of
the room in which figure is seated She
sees an old man, shrunken, enfeebled,
with a face that is positively ghastly. be-
cause of its excessive pallor; Il living
corpse, save for two eyes that burn and
CLEAN and glitter with an almost devlish
brilliancy.
$50 you've come" he says. without
making any attempt to rise from his
chair. Shut that door, will you? What
vile draught. And don't stand staring
like that. it makes me nervous"
His voice is cold, clear, freezing. 1t
seems to the tired girls standing before
him as il n breath Of icy air had suddenly
fallen into the hot and sitting room.
''Vera, l presume" says Mr. Dysart,
holding out his 1.-the white hand to permit
her to press it. And you are Griseda !
| need not ask what lunatic chose your
Names as l was we'll acquainted with
your mother many years ago"
II feel that | must think you at once,
Uncle Gregory, for your kindness to u.s."
says Miss Dysart, gravely. still standing
"Ay, ay. You acknowledge that" says
he. quickly Il have been your best
friend. after all, eh?'
You have given us a home" continues
Miss Dysart, in tones that tremblc a lit.
tie. But for you-"
Yes, ycs-go on" He thrusts ont his
old miscry face as if athirst for further
words. But for me you would both
have been east upon the worlds highway,
to live or die as chance dictated. To me,
to me you are indebted for everything.
You owe me much. Each day You live
you shall owe me more. have befricnd-
ed you: | have been the means of saving
You from starvation"
If so corpse-like Il face could show signs
of excitement it shows it now, as he seeks
to prove by word and gesture that he is
their benefactor to an unlimited extent.
The hateful emotion he betrays raises in
Griselda's breast feelings of repugnance
and disgust.
Il have consented to adopt you," he
goes ON presently, his cold voice now cut
ting like a knife But do not expect
much from me. 1t is we'll to come to IL
proper understanding at the start, and
so save future argument Honesty has
made me poor You have been, | hear,
accustomed to lead useless. luxurious
existence. Your father all his life kept up
left you paupers." He almost Kisses out
the last cruel word.
Griselda starts to her feet.
The honesty of which you boast is not
everything" she says, in IA burning tone
Let me remind you that courtesy. too,
has its claims upon you"
"liah. The word paupcr is unpeas sing
it seems" says he, unmoved. Before we
qui, this point. however, one last word.
You are beneath my roof: shall expect
you to conform To my rules. | see no one
| permit no one to enter my doors save
my son. | will not have people spying
out the nakednesS of the land, and Specu-
latlng over what they are pleased to call
my eccentricities. They will have me
rich. but | am poor. poor, l tell you. Al
ways remember that"
Griscldas features having settled them
selves into a rather alarming expression
Miss Dysart hurriedly breaks into the
conversation.
IF you will permit u.s." she says faint
~, 1--WE should like to go to our rooms. to
rest little. 1t has been long journey
Her uncle turns and touches the bel
near him. and Immediately, so immedi'
ately as TO suggest the idea that she has