Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 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. cnfeebled,
with face that is positively ghastly, be.
cause Of It's excessive pallor: living
corpse. save for two eyes that burn and
CLEAN and glitter with an almost devilish
brillancy.
$50 you've come" he says, without
making any attempt to rise from his
chair. "Shut that door, viii you? What
vile draught! And don't stand staring
like that, II makes me nervous"
His voice Is cold, clear, freezing. 1t
seems to the tired girls standing before
him as IL breath Of icy air had suddenly
fallen into the hot aud sitting room.
''Vera, presume" says NJ. Dysart,
holding out his 1.-THE white hand to permit
her to press 1t. And you are Griselda Z
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.
LAY, ay. You acknowledge that" says
he, quickly. II have been your best
friend, after all, eh?'
'You have given us a home" continues
Miss Dysart, in tones that tremble lit.
tie. But for you"
Yes, yes--go on" He thrusts out his
old miserly face as if athirst for further
words. "But for me you would both
have been cast upon the worlds highway,
to live or die as chance dictated. To me,
to me you are indebted for everything
You owe me much. Bach day you live
you shall owe me more. have befriend-
ed you; have been the means Of saving
you from starvation"
If 80 corpse-like face could show signs
OF excitement II shows II now, us 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.
~ have consented to adopt you," he
goes on presently, his cold voice now cut
ting like knife. But do not expect
much from me. II Is well to come to a
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
most extravagant menage, and, dying,
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. a burning tone.
Let me remind you that courtesy, TOO,
has its claims upon YOU"
"Hah! The word pauper is unpleasing,
1t SEEMS" says he, unmoved. Before we
FQuit this point, however, one last word.
You are beneath my roof; l shall expect
you to conform to my rules. see no one.
| permit no one to enter my doors save
my son. l will not have people spying
out the nakedness OF the land, and specu-
lating over what they are pleased to call
my eccentrlcities. They will have me
rich, but am poor, poor, tell you. AL
ways remember that"
Griselda's features having settled them
selves into rather alarming expression,
Miss Dysart hurriedly breaks into the
conversation.
''If you will permit u.s." she says, faint
ly, ''we should like to so to our rooms to
rest little. 1t has been long journey"
Her uncle turns and touches the bell
near him, and Immediately, so immedi-
ately AZ to suggest the idea that she has