Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-02-18

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IF l could" supplements he, gently.
He turns and leaves the room.
CHAPTER TX. :
While the two girls were discussing, in
a frightened way, the result of Griselda's
imprudence, Seaton was having a tussle,
sharp and severe, with his father.
''They are all alone in the world he
says.
Eyes, yes" acknowledges the old man
with frown. Except for me-" hastily;
IL alone came to their rescue"
'"That is true. 1t was quite what
should have expected of your
''Why should you expect it? There was
no reason" says the old man. sharply.
1T was of my own free will that l took
them. Do you question my kindness to
them? What more am to do for them?
Would you have me kneel at their feet
and do them homage? Have 1 not ex-
planned to you how desirous am of max
ing one Of them my daughter? Ha!
have you there, think! Is not that af-
lection? Am l not willing to receive
her? You should best know"
Yes" says the young man, stonily, his
eyes on the ground.
, l.
you! You! My son! My one possession
that has any good in it"'
You must put that idea out of your
head once for all. 1 could not combat
a dislike active as hers"
Her dislike? Hers? That beggar"
his face working. What dye mean, sir?
1 tell you it shall be! Shall!'
Talking like that will not mend mat
ters. 1t certainly will not alter the fact
that I myself personally am objection
able to her. l can see that it is almost
as much as she can do to be civil to me
to sit at the same table with me. l en-
treat you not to set your heart upon this
thing, for it can never be-"
Il tell you again that it shall" shrieks
the old man, violently. What! is. the
cherished dream of lifetime to be set
aside to suit the whim of girl, penni-
less creature? She shall be your wife,
l swear it, though 1 have to crush the
consent out of her. He falls back clum-
silly into his chair, a huddled heap.
Seaton in an agony of remorse and fear
hangs over him, compelling him to swal-
low cordial lying on the table near.
Here, sir. Be patient. All shall be
as you wish. l implore you to think no
more of this matter. Yes" in answer to
the fiery eyes now more ghastly than
ever in the pallid, powerless face, Il
shall try my best to fulfill your desire" "
He feels sick at heart as he says this,
| and almost despicable; but can he let the
old man die for want of word to ap-
pease the consuming rage that has
| brought death lowering with outstretch-
| ed wings above him? And yet. of what
avail is it all? A momentary appease-
| ho rs nd
his father, there rises before his mental
vision that pale, proud, sorrowful face,
that is all the world to him, and yet,
alas! so little.
Vera having made up her mind to so
to her uncle and fully explain to him that
| neither she nor Griselda desire any
change in their way of living, waits pa
tiently for Seaton's departure from his
fathers den, and now, at last, seeing
the coast clear, goes quickly forward
Uncle Gregory, l wish to say some
thing to you," she is beginning, hurried
ly, hating her task and hating her hearer
when suddenly she is interrupted.
.Hah! For the first time, let me say
| am glad to see you," says the old man
grimly. Hitherto l have been remiss
| fear, in such minor matters of eti
ouette. Sit down. 1, too, have something
to say to you" He fixes his piercin:
eyes on her and says, sharply: You hav,
met my son several times!
Yes" says Vera.
You like him?' with watchfu
glance.
Il can hardly say so much" coldly
He is neither more nor less than com
plete stranger to me-"
| fhot
speak thus early to you, because it
well that you should make up your min
beforehand to like him."
"Why?" she asks.
: Because in him you see your futur
husband"
There is dead pause. The old ma
sits with bright unblinking eyes fxe
upon the girl, who has risen to her fee
: and is staring back at him as if hardl
I daring to understand. From red to whit,
from white to red she grows; her breat
I | fails her, passionate indignation burn
u hot within her breast.
"Absurdr' she says, contemptuously.
Call it so if you will, with an offend
ed flash from his dark eyes, but regar
it as a fact for all that. You will MARI
your cousin, let me assure you"
t That / certainly shall not" decisive
ly.
Y THAT you certainly shall. Did yo
y not know that your marriage with N
son was the last wish, the last comma-
|, of your father?"
}, He is lying well. so we'll that at fir
: the girl forgets to doubt him.
$ My father?' she says, with mut
n amazement. He never SO much as me
toned my cousins name to me-.
ITO me, however, he did. Do you wi:
/: to see the letter."
This is bold stroke. Vera hesitates
d then, NO" says she. steadily. Eve
IS if my father did express such wish,
should not for moment accede to it.
n shall not marry to please any one, de;
p or living, except myself"
lie so you now think. We shall see," I
!? turns he. in an icy tone.
1 May ask if-if your son is aware