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


July reigns, vice June, dethroned, but
still the roses hold full sway.
Seaton Dysart has come and gone
many a time to and from Greycourt, and
by degrees a little Of the constraint that
had characterized his early visits has
worn away He has even so far ad-
yanced as to be almost on friendly terms
with Griselda.
But between him and Vera that hrst
dark veil of distrust still hangs heavily
distrust that, on Vera's side, has taken
a blacker hue and merged itself into dis
like.
Seaton Dysart's' arrivals being only
looked for by the girls at about seven
o'clock in the evening-just an hour or SO
before dinner-gave them plenty of time
to prepare for his coming. Any day on
which he was expected, Mrs. Crunch
brought a formal message to Vera from
her uncle to that effect. Never yet had
their cousin come without the announce
ment being made; and so thoroughly un-
derstood was it that he would not put
In an unexpected appearance, that Wnen'
after a rather Il, niger absence than usual,
an absence extending over all last week
and part of this, he turns up at half-past
two in the afternoon, his coming causes
distinct embarrassment in several quar-
ters.
What can have brought him at this
hour? London must be reduced to
ashes," hazards Griselda, her tone now
as genial as usual. For one instant a
sickening fear that it might be MIR. Fey
tons knock had made her blood run cold.
There had been a short but sharp en-
counter between him and her the day be-
fore yesterday, and a wild fear that ne
had come up to have it out with her now,
and here, had taken possession of her.
At such moment the advent of Seaton
is hailed by her, at least, with rapture.
"Why, ,twhat happy wind drove you
down at this hour?' cries she. with the
frfendliest air, beaming on him as he
comes into the room.
1T is good of you to call it happy,
says he, casting really grateful look at
her as he shakes hands silently with
Vera "In time for luncheon, too, l see,
though" with a rather surprised glance
at the table, you don't seem in very
hospitable mood. Nothing to spare. eh?''
I'VE didn't know you were coming, you
see," says Griselda, mildly. And it isn't
lunch you see, or rather you don't see,
before you; it is dinner
w
red. He has got up from his seat and is
regarding her almost sternly.
rs it true?" asked Seaton, turning to
Vera. 1t is a rather rude question, but
there is so much shame and anxiety in
his tone that Griselda forgives him.
why should it not be true?" says
Vera, coldly. "As a rule, we dine early.
''She means that we always dine early
except when we know you are coming,
supplements Griselda, even more mildly
than before.
And this" with hurried glance al
the scanty meal, do you mean to tell me
that-that this is your dinner every
day."
Literally" says Griselda, cheerfully
''This is the chop that changeth not. II
is not all that one could desire, of course
but if sometimes it might be altered
for"
"Griselda"' interrupts Vera, rising tt
her feet.
why should l not speak?' asks Gri
selda, in a meekly injured tone. Il wa:
merely going to add that fowl occa
sionally would be a good deal of mora
use to us. l have always heard that t.
keep the temper in healthy state
change of food is necessary"
Il feel as if l ought to apologize t.
YOU for all this says Dysart, with 1
heavy sigh; addressing Vera exclusively
land as if, too, no apology could he ac
cepted But shall see that it does no
occur again"
Il beg You will do nothing" says Vera
quickly. Nothing. l will not have m
uncle spoken to on this subject. Griseld
is only in jest: she speaks like foolis
child. l." folding her hands tightly tC
gether. Il forbid you to say anythin
about it."
Il regret that I must disobey you,
saws Seaton. courteously, but with deter
minatiop. My fathers house is in pa,
mine, and will suffer no guest to endul
discomfort in it"
There, is no discomfort now. Thel
will be if you try to alter matters in OF
favor"
You mean that you will accept notl
inr at my hands; Is that itT' exclaims h
passion that will not be repressed in h
lone; the coldness seems broken up, thel
Is fire in his eyes and distinct ange
..You have had that time you spoke o
has it fulfilled its missions-has it taugl
YOU TO detest me? No" OBTAINING h,
deliberately as she seeks to leave Il
room. Don't go; you snoulu give me
real reason for your studied discourtes
for won't believe that l am natural
ahhorrent to you. There must be som
thing else
If you must know" says she. lookil
back deiiantly at him, her blood a lit
hot, you are too like your father for Il
TO pretend friendship with you"
"Oh, Vera, | think you shouldn't S,
that!' cries Griselda, now honest
frightened at the storm she has raise
but neither of the others hear her. Yer
with one little slender white hand gras
ing the back of a chair near her, is loo
ing fxedly at Seaton, whose face h
changed. An expression Of keen pa
crosses it.
Has he been so bad to you as that
he says; and then, with a profound sig
My poor father"
There is something so honestly griev
in his whole air that Vera's heart smit
her.
Why will you bring up this discussi
again and again." she says, with
morseful impatience. why not let !
go my way unquestioned, and you your
What am I to you when all is told?
am outside your ife-I ever shall b