Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1902-02-06
CHAPTER VII.

wen, I'm on, says Griseida, poking
her pretty head Into the summer house,
where Vera slts reading. II Is next day,
aud very lovely day, too"
For your ramble," says Vera, laying
down her book. 80 you won't take my
adVicel Very good. Go on. and you'll
see that you won't prosper" Her tone ia
half say. half serious. "And don't be
long entreats Vera, with a sudden rush
OF anxiety. ."Don't, now. Yes, I'm In
deadly earnest. There 10 that man all
over the place, let loose, as Il were, for
my discontinue, and II he turns up In
THIS part OF the world l suppose shall
have to talk to him."
What calamity" says Griseida, with
4 little feigued dropping OF her mouth.
In this barren wilderness even mama
may be regarded with rapture--eyen Sea.
ton! Better any man than no man,
say l."
80 say not I. then" with great suirit.
She has leaned forward upon her elbow.
and her eyes are brilliant with q little
suspicion Of anger. "Glve me a desert
Island rather chan the society OF a man
whom know Il will require only time TO
teach me 10 detest And how you can
Nall him 10 Familiarity 'Seaton, passes
my"
A pause An awful pause. Who Is Il
TINT has turned the corner OF the summer
house, and Is looking In at them with a
curious expression round his moutlig Gri.
seida IN the FIRST 70 recover.
isn't II absurtg" she says. smiling
rather lameiy. But | assure you, Sea-
ton. your sudden appearance quite took
away mT breath. You should stamp when
you come to house like this. The grass
all round IL 80 thick"
'Too thickp' says Dysart, with a swift
glance at Vera, who has lost all her color
For the future | shall try to remember
| am very sorry startled YOU" He has
addressed himself entirely to Grlselda,
unless that one lightning glance OF con.
temptuous reproach cast at Vera could
be counted. "But | was on my way 70
one Of the farms. and this is the lowest.
the nearest path to 1t. | shall never cease
to regret"--here he stops dead short, and
turns his eyes unreservedly on Vera
that | did not take the upper one."
He makes both girls a slight bow, and
walks swiftly onward on the unlucky
path he had chosen.
"Oh. Vera. do sonething!' cries Grisel-
da, In a small agony OF CONSERVATION.
claSping her hands. Vera, thus admou.
ished, springs TO her feet, and. driven
half by honest shame and half by inn.
pulse, rushes out OF the summer house
aud runs after Dysart as he is fast dis,
appearing through the shrubs, Reaching
him, painting and pale with agitation. she
lays her hand timldly upon his arm.
II am so grieved," she says, her charm.
Ing face very paincd, her lips white.
There are moments when one hardly
knows what one says, and"
There are such moments, certainly"
says be, interrupting her remorselessly.
But they can haIdly be classed with
those In which the calm condolences OF
one sister are exchanged with the other.
And why should you apologizey assure
you, you ueed not. do not seek for or
desire anything OF the kind"
II almost seems to her that he has
shaken her hand from his arm. Draw,
ing back, she sees him proceed upon his
way, and then returns to Griselda.
II really think hate him." says Vera,
vehemently. The recollection OF his con.
temptuous glance, the way in which he
had disdained her apology--above all.
that slight he had offered her when he
had displaced her hand from his arm--all
rankle In her breast, and a hot flow Of
shame renders her usually pale face bril-.
liant. There, never mind him." she saws.
with a little frown. "He is not staying
long, fortunately, and this episode will
bear good fruit of one sort at least. He
will not trouble me with his society while
you are away. Now hurry, Griselda, do"
Grisclda, with light laugh, drawn ir.
resistibly by the gorgeous loveliuess Of
the lights and shadows of the land below,
runs down the pathway and is soon lost
to view.
When she returns over an hour later
she discovers to her amazement, that
Vera is still In it.
"You are miserable about that wretch
ed affair of the morning." cries Griselda.
Never mind it. II you will come to din
ner | promise you TO do all the talking,
and as 1t has to be endured do entreat
you to keep up your spirits"
"Oh, yes. There isn't decent chance
Df escape" says Vera, wearily.
Sh!" cries Griselda. softly, putting
~ her hand; the sound OF coming foot
steps, slow, deliberate footsteps purpose,
y made heavier, smites upon their ears.
''oGod heavens! Here he is," says
iriselda, and indeed they have barely
lime to put on carefully unconscious
lemeanor, when Seaton Dysart darkens
The door of the summer house, and looks
,oldly down on them.
"rhey told me should find you here"
he says, speaking to Vera. II have come
10 say good-by."
"But surely you are not going so soon
mot before dinner, not to-nightw cries
thunderstruck by this solution
If their dificulty, and little sorry. too