Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-03-06
CHAPTER Nv.


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 aggricvcd tone.
Because she isn't says Tom, strv.
ing with Il giant dock that has PREACHER.
ously concealed itself beneath the spread.
ing leaves of magnificent dahlia; you
are that"
Nonsense" says Grisclda; 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
Friars, Only fancy if she succeeds.
Wasn't it perfectly lovely of her to think
of it?"
"Oh. she isn't bad" says her brother
broadly but may ask how she pro-
poses tacking the old gentleman"
'Through Scaton."
''If Seaton helps her,
The words die on his lips his jubilant
air forsakes him-having turned cor
ner of the secluded pathway they had
chosen. they run right into the arms of
Seaton Dysart. For moment the two
men gaze blankly into each others eyes
what is the meaning of this masque-
rade:" demands Dysart presently with
an angry frown: what brings you here,
Peyton, in that dress, and with my
cousin!'
You certainly have every right to
ask" says Peyton, with a rucful 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 careful artlcssness not to
be surpassed.
I'm love" exclaims Dysart, frowning
still more darkly
Quite So" amably; five fathoms
deep. And your father being so-so-ex-
elusive" making a hard fight for a civil
word. Il couldn't manage to see her in
any orthodox fashion, SO | took service
here"
Her? whom" asks Dysart, changing
color. A sudden light flashes into his
eyes; to him, as to Tom Feyton, there is
but one her" in the world.
why, Griselda." says the latter, as if
amazed at the others stupidity.
And what do you suppose will be the
upshot of all this?" stcrny.
THAT. my dear fellow. is what ! have
never yet gone into. But marriage. |
hope
"rshaw." says Dysart, impatiently:
"and what of GriScda!"
"Griselda has confessed that shc--likes
me little. | say, Dysart." with sud
den change of tone. you won't tell YOUR
dad-ch?"
Il am much more likely to tell your
sister" says Seaton. angrily.
You needn't, She knows. She was
here just now and is full of a desire to
kidnap Griseda and carry her away to
The Friars. | say. Dysart. my sister de-
ponds upon you to make your governor
give his consent to the girls going on a
visit to her; you won't disappoint her.
eh?"
III do what | can" gravely: "but |
shouldn't advise you to be too sanguine
as to the result of my interference"
True to his word, Seaton managed, af-
ter hard fight. to secure his fathers
consent that Vera and Griselda might
pay two weeks visit to Lady Rivers
dale.
1t is quite five O'Clock when they ar
rive and enter the spacious hall of The
Friars. that now is filed with delicate,
s"mbcr light. a crimson stream from
painted Wlndow, somewhere in the dis
tance. casts flood of glory. blood-re at
Nera's feet. and comfortable tinkling
of spoons clinking against china smtes
their ears.
At the top of the room. reclining in
rather listless fashion on some velvet
cushions, are two little girls, q1itn lovely
enough to arrest the gaze of any casual
observer. They have given in to the Gu
riosity attendant on the entrance of the
new guests. and fix their large wide eyes
on Vera. who in turn. looks back on
them with IA certain interest.
Lady Riversdale, by a word-an in
tenscly proud, fond word-had minated
that they were her children. The young
er. taking her courage in both hands,
slips her little slim fingers under the