The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-03-21
CHAPTER XIX.


or that nights fatal work the country
side remains In complete ignorance. VI
Mr.. Dysart's sudden death II hears the
following morning with feeling OF
strong curiosity, but with none Of regret
The funeral that takes place on the third
day is small certainly, yet. considering
all things-the dead mans open hostility
to his neighbors. and the dearth OF nos
pitality that characterized his so1ourb
among them-larger than might nave
been expected, and at all events select:
Among others Lord Riversdale attended
out OF compliment II was supposed, TO
Seaton, as he and the old man had never
so much as seen each others features.
But it was found impossible to conceal
the existence Of Sedley from the two
girls. Peyton had undertaken to give
them a rather careful account OF what
had happened; and in truth, when all
was told, he was almost as much at sea
about II as they were, as the stranger re-
mained stranger to him. Sedley had
determined to reveal the secret hold he
had had on Mr.. Dysart to Seaton, think
ing the latter would make good his faith
er's promises.
1t is In the old mans private den that
he does this. Going up to the old-fash-
ioned bureau he, by a subtle touch, un-
locks the secret spring.
The door falls back, the hudden shelves
and their contents. lie all unconcealed.
Selling upon fast yellowing parchment,
Sedley draws it out, and overcome by
fatigue and excitement, drops upon his
knees. Eagerly he opens and scans 1t,
and then holds 1t out to Dysart.
Compare that" says he, in a high
tone Of triumph, with the will of your
grandfather, that left all to Gregory Dy-
sart cutting out the elder son. Compare
1t, | say, and you will see that this was
executed three years later than that 9th
er-that other which is now in force, and
has been these twenty years"
Mechanically Dysart takes it. No word
escapes him. Speech, indeed, is impossi-
BILE to him, so busy is his mind trying to
take in all the miserable dishonor of the
story that as yet has but the bald out
lines laid before him.
mo one knew of it but me-" says Sed-
ley, feverishly, yet with an undercurrent
of delicious excitement in the recital.
"But me and Crunch What she made
out Of 1t no one can tell, as the old chaps
gone, but she's as knowing a file in my
opinion as you'd meet in a days walk.
You can see our two signatures. En-,
can't you read EN-? We witnessed it.
We alone knew, and he bought us over.
Well, twas worth quid or two; it's a
fine old place"
Dysart makes no answer. He has sup
ported himself against a table near him,
and is gazing blankly, hopelessly, through
the window at the dull landscape outside.
He sees nothing, heeds nothing, save the
voice Of the man who is speaking.
"'Twas felony, mind you, besides the
fact of having to give up the money, and
property, and all, so | knew | could turn
on the screw as tight as ! liked. But,
he laughs, you see, counted without
my host. never dreamed the old man
would show fight like that. He took II
hardly, my return-guess he believed me
dead, and resented the breath in me
and | shouldn't wonder II, after all these
years, he had got to believe the place
money and everything was legally hii
own
Still Dysart says nothing He has in
deed withdrawn bis duh eyes from thu
scene without, and is now staring will
unseeing eyes at the parchment that tell
him how the property was never his faith
er's, but was left to his uncle, and how
his father suppressed the will, and KEEP
the property In spite Of law and honor
and all things that go to give a swee
SAVIOR to mans life on earth. 1t had neve
been his fathers, all this huge property
1t never would be his. And If not, whose
Vera's? He starts as If shot.
as that alp he asks.
"Well, no. Not quite. Your face say
very politely that you'd be glad to see m
back, but business first, pleasure after
ward" He grins. ut is as good for u
to come to terms now as later"
"TermsT repeats Dysart, gazing a
him darkly.
SAY, why not2 Dye think you'll ge
out of it scot freeW
Dysart stares at him as If scarcel
comprehending.
Want time to think 1t over like you
respected parent?" with a sneer. INC
for me, my lad Wen settle now or neN
er. You see you're in my power, an
I'm not the one to"
"Sir, l am in no mans power" say
Dysart, calmly. II trust | never sha
be. This WILL" striking it with his hant
Through which my uncle and his daugl
ter have been-beep fraudulently''-h
SAYS the word with difficulty-"kept OF
Of their property for so many years, sha
be at once restored to its proper owner.
A yellow tint overspreads Sedleys fac
As il entirely overcome, he sinks upon
chair.
you'll surrender" he says with
gasp. "And your fathers memory? Ho,
will you like to hear him branded as
common swindler, whom death alone sa,
ed from the laws gripT"
Dysnrt blanches. lnvoluntarily he put
out his hand and seizes the chair nel
him and clings to 1t as II for support. N
no, that he could not endure.
II win give you $500 the day sc
you on board steamer sailing for Au
tralia," says Dysart with dry lips aud
heart that seems dead within him.
am now, comparatively speaking. a poC
man." his words coming from him slowl.
mechanically, in a dull, expressionlei
way. II can offer you no more"
Double It," says Sedley. 'and 1
leave the country tomorrow"
Il haven't il at this moment, but
dare say | shall be able to manage it
says Dysart, In the same wornout, indi
ferent manner. "In the meantime, whi
l try to get 1t, shall require of you thi
you stay within this house and no
speech with no one save Crunch"
"WeI, ! guess Ill chance 1t" says Sc
ley after a long glance at the your
mans pale. earnest face.
CHAPTER Xxx.
With the fatal viii clasped In b
hand, Dysart goes straight to the smI
morning room, where be knows he "
be sure to find Vera. Twilight Is begi
ning to fall, and already the swift hera
OF night Is proclaiming the approach
his king. She starts slightly as be com
in.
II am sorry to disturb you" says D
sart, with an effort at calmness, but
was so necessary that | should con
that"
Il am glad you have come. !, tC
was anxious to see you." says Vera,
touch Of nervousness in her tone. Il
you must know il is impossible that '
should stay here any longer. Our unc
who was our guardian. Is gone and
she has risen to her feet and Is looki
at him In sore distress-"I have want
to speak to you about 1t for a long tim
thought, perhaps, you would help