The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-03-07
CHAPTER XIV.

Going to where Tom Peyton Is dill
gently wedding, Griselda takes him to
task.
why didn't you tell me your sister
was the sweetest woman on earth?" de-
mands she, in quite an aggrieved tone.
Because she isn't" says Tom, striv'
ing with a giant dock that has treacher'
ousy concealed itself beneath the spread
ing leaves Of magnificent dahlia; you
are that
"Nonsense!" says Griselda; and then,
"Oh, Tom! what do you think she is
going to do--at once? She Is going to
make an effort to induce Uncle Gregory
TO let Vera and me stay with her at The
Friarsl Only fancy il she succeeds! T!
Wasn't 1t perfectly lovely of her to think
of itT
"Oh, she isn't bad" says her brother,
broadly; "but may | ask how she pro-
poses tackling the old gentleman"
Through Seaton."
"If Seaton helps her"
The words die on his lips, his jubilant
air forsakes him-having turned a cor
ner of the secluded pathway they had
chosen, they run right into the arms Of
Seaton Dysartl For moment the two
men gaze blankly into each others eyes.
What is the meaning of this masque-
radeY' demands Dysart presently with
an angry frown; what brings you here,
Peyton, in that dress, and with my
cousinW
"You certainly have every right to
ask" says Peyton, with a rueful glance
at his damnatory clothing, but surely
you might guess the answer. The fact
is. I'm-in love" He makes this con
fession with a careful artlessness not tt
be surpassed.
"In loveT exclaims Dysart, frowning
still more darkly.
'Qute So" amiably; five fathom'
deep. And your father being sO-sO-ex
elusive making hard fight for civi
word, Il couldn't manage to see her IL
any orthodox fashion, so | took service
here"
"Her2 whomP' asks Dysart, changing
color. A sudden light flashes into hi,
eyes; to him, as to Tom peyton, there Il
but one her" in the world.
why, Griselda," says the latter, as i
amazed at the others stupidity.
And what do you suppose will be tn,
upshot Of all tlis?' sternly.
That, my dear fellow, is what hav,
never yet gone into. But marriage,
hope"
"Pshaww says Dysart, impatiently
''end what of GriseldaY"
"Griselda has confessed that she--like
me a little. say, Dysart," with a sud
den change Of tone, you won't tell you
dad-ehW
II am much more likely to tell you
sister," says Seaton, angrily.
you needn't. She knows. She wa
here just now, and is full OF a desire t
kidnap Griselda and carry her away t
The Friars. | say, Dysart, my sister dt
pends upon you to make your governC
give his consent to the girls going on
visit to her; you won't disappoint he
-. eh?"
"I'll do what l can" gravely; "but
shouldn't advise you to be too sanguin
as to the result Of my interference"
True to his word, Seaton managed, a
ter a hard fight, to secure his father
consent that Vera and Griselda migl
pay two weeks visit to Lady River
dale.
'-e II Is quite Eve o'clock when they a
rive and enter the spacious hall of II
Friars, that now is filled with delicat
somber light A crimson stream from
painted window, somewhere in the di
tance, casts flood Of glory, blood-red,
Vera's feet, and a comfortable tinklr
OF spoons clinking against china smit
their ears.
At the top OF the room, reclining In
rather listless fashion on some velv
cushions, are two little girls, quite love
enough to arrest the gaze of any casu
observer. They have given in to the c
rioSity attendant on the entrance OF &
new guests, and fix their large wide ey
on Vera, who, In turn, looks back
them with a certain interest.
Lady Riversdale, by a word-an
teusely proud, fond word-had intimat
that they were her children. The youn
er. taking her courage In both hanC
slips her little slim fingers under I
narrow gold bangles that adorn Vert
wrist, and begins to push them up a
down with a childish, diffident gestu
Whats your name?" asks she, grave
"Nera."
"Veraw Both children repeat {
word with a sort OF qualification. "B
tell us-you have another name, have
your
-. "Dysart," contesses she. softly.
why, that's Seaton's name" CT
Dolly, Frightening. and looking up at
tall young man who Is standing n,
them; isn't 1t, Seatoni Why, you nj
be something to him. Sister-ehg'
NO" says Vera, shaking her head.
"You can't be his motherT haEsl
the younger child. uncertainty.
Vera laugrs lightly. NO" she 81
again.
Il have Il! | know itr' exclaims Dc
the wise, gIancing up triumphantly; 8!
are-his wife,
This innocent bombshell spreads
may in the camp.
who is that pretty little girl o
thereT" Vera asks. with 4 wild long
to change this embarrassing cOnver
i. tion. pointing to where the girl who
first attracted her Is sitting, quite on
site. in the red-and-white gownl
you see herT'
"Oh, that is Mary Butler. Don't .
know herl Everybody knows Mary F
Ter. We love her, so does everyb
else"