Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-02-06
CHAPTER vi.

dingncss and gloom of that melancholy
apartment sinks into him as he moves
rather discontentcdly, but with man $
unfailing instinct. toward the hearth-rus
1t is not all gloom, however. as he pres
emily discovers. in this dreary Place. some
one rises languidly from low chair--a
girl, lovely girl. as ne instantly admits
and advances about the eighth part OF
an ordinary foot toward him.
They are wonderfully alike, the father
and SON, and yet how wonderfully I'M
like. 1t seems impossible that with eX-
pressions so utterly at variance so strong
a resemblance can exist, yet it is there.
The one, the old face, mean. cring.ng.
suspicious wicked: the other, cold. honor
able, earnest and beautiful. The girl.
watching him with distrust i'll her eyes,
reluctantly acknowledged this last fact.
I'm extremely sorry if I've kept you
waiting for dinner" he says, advancing
at a quicker pace, once he sees the pretty
girl in white. and holding out his hand.
But the fact is | was dreadfully tired
when | arrived, and I'm rather afraid
fe! asleep"
"Thc day is warm" says she. coldly.
The likeness to his father seems clearer
10 her ns he speaks, and kills for her all
rhc charm of his face.
Very but don't fancy my absurd fit
of la2incss arose from that. Rather from
the fact that | haven't had II wink of
sleep for the last two nights"
Two nights!" says she with a faint
accession of interest "Toothache? Sick
fricndl'
"Oh. no. Ball-cards." returns he, con-
ciscly.
"Ah" says she, this time rather short
You are Grisclda. I SUPPOSE" says
nc. pleasantly.
"Why should you suppose it?' asks she.
with faint smile.
''Truc. Why should II" returns he,
laughing. Perhaps because" with Il
steady look at her. II have been told that
my cousin Griscda is person possessed
of a considerable amount Of-of charac-
ter
by that you mean that you have heard
Grselda is self-willed," says she, calmly.
"And as it is evident you think look the
part also. | am afraid you must prepare
yourself to meet two selfwillcd cousins
] am not Griscda."
If she had fancicd that this announce.
ment would have put him out, she is I'M
deceived in Il moment.
"No?" says he. looking distinctly anus
cd. There is comfort in the thought that
! cannot again fall into error, because you
must be Vera"
"Yes. am Vera" slowly.
IL fear you will find it very dull down
here
"Your father has been very good to us;
more than kind Interrupts she, gently,
but with decision. HE has given us
home"
81 should think he would he very glad
to get you here" says he. At this mo-
mcnt Grse,da enters the room. A charm,
ing Griselda, in white, like her sister, anu
with n flower in her sunny hair. She
triIs up to Seaton and gives him her hand
and a frank smile, that has just the cor.
rect amount of couuettish shyness in it.
\ man. to Griseda. no matter out of
what obnoxious tribe he may have
sprung, is always a creature to be gently
treated. smiled upon and encouraged.
so you've come at last to this Castle
OF Despair" says she. saucily. II must
say. you took time to look us up. Bu, l
don't blame you: life down her is too live.
ly for most. Ii has quite done up Vera
aud me"
The dismal sound OF cracked old din
ner gong breaks in at this instant on Girl
sclda's speech They all rise and cross
the hall TO the dining room. but just in
side IT momcn AIRY hesitation takes
place. Dysart going to the foot of the
table, Vera s'ops short. MS if in some
surprise. 10 look at HIM. question in her
eyes.
You will take the head of the table.
hope" says he. in a low tone. di vning
her pcrplexity.
"Bu'--" quickly. and then n pause
eff You wish it, of course" she SAYS. with
swift uplifting of the brows and an al
most impcrccpthlc shrmg.
Her manner somehow irr;tatcs him.
IL wish it. certa.nly." says he. coldly.
But | wish still more to see you do only
that which you like"
Il have few likes and dislikcs." replies
she. still in tina, utterly emotioness tone
and sweeping pas; him. she seats herself
at the head of the table.
As for Grsc!da. the little jar in the so.
cial atmosphere around her goes by un-
noticed. overcome is she by the I'm.
wonied magniticrnce OF the sight before
her. dcccn, dinner table at Greycourt.
She looks round her and loses herself a
little N the touch of fairyland the room
Pt'NNHt's - ~, az ~ Nti', tiuo from
the past. n glimpse into the old life when
her father still Lived. that she hardly
knew WAS dear to her until she had los.
1T. The glitter Of the silver. the glass
the intense perfume of the glowing flow
ers. the rich tint OF the fruits. all seem
part of dream. sweet one. too.
Mr.. Dysar; il wondering why both girls
sh0Id have taken so ms. aniineous dis
like to hm. As a rule. women were civ
enough: yet here were two to whom he
was an utter stranger. and agrees We
was the only word he could apply TO their
looks and words. though both were stu
diously polite.
DO you stay longr' asks Griselda pres
emily. looking al her cousin.
Il don't know how you may view IT,.
l return TO town the day after to-mor-
row-ycry early on that day. Whether
l must or must not work Tor my living
Is u thing that does not concern me. |
work-you will hardly believe IL in this
prosaic age-but | actually seek after
fame. l should Ike TO get On in my pro-
fess.on. to be more than q mere tritler."
'Ios are charming" says Griselda,