Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-01-23
CHAPTER |.

dainty masses of soft. heecy clouds; and
far inland. background of high hills,
clothed with a tender foliage. a very baby
leafdom. just bursting into the fuller life.
Toward the west the trees give way a
little. letting Il road be seen, that like a
straight pale ribbon runs between the
greeuery for the space of quite mile or
so. aud then reaches the small fishing vii
lage where the simple folk of Glowing
Destlcy toll from one years end to the
other. some in careless joy, some in cease
less labor some. alas. in cruel weeping,
because of those who will never come
back to the town.
Along the white road. that CLEANS
thrstily in the burning sunshine of this
hot midday in June. a carriage is crawl
ing with quite an aggravating slowness-
an antiquated vehicle of type now al
mos unknown. but which once beyond
doubt eos, money" The carriage, being
an open one. enables the people as it
PASSES through the village to see without
undue trouble that the occupants of it are
two girls: both very young. both singular
ly alike, though in distinctly different
styles.
1T is charming" says the younger girl
toward the sweeping bay. and the awak-
ening trees, and the other glories of the
landscape. "All charming, far better
than ever dared hope for; and yet my
mind misgives me. Vera
She turns II brilliant glance on her sis
ter, full of terrible nsinuations, and then
laughs a little. Thus animated. she is a
very pretty girl, half child. half woman
81, Il
like stars She lifts one slender black
gloved hand, and placing it beneath hel
sisters chin. turns her face gently to her
Such a beautiful face! Very like the
riante one beside it. yet unlike, too. There
is II touch of sadness round the lovely
lips, a mournful curve; indeed, a thought
fulness too great for her years is stamped
on every feature. A tender, loving, yet
strong soul shines through the earnest
eyes and when she smiles it is reluctant
ly. as il smiles all her life had been for
hidden to her.
"Oh! that reminds me-" said Miss by
sart. Il quite forgot to tell you of it
hut the day before we left Nice, Mel
Stewart said that this cousin you speal
of. if he does exist at all. at all event.
does not do it here"
Which means?"
That either he won't, or can't. life
with his father. Can't, Nell rather lee
me to believe"
Cant it is. you may be sure" says the
younger girl, restlessy. Fancy a father
whose son can't live with him! And yet
after all, vrtuous astonishment on thai
score is rather ont of place with us.
can imagine just such father"
N.h \ L.
sart, hastily.
Yes. Very good; let us then go from
sire to uncle" says her sister with a lit
tie shrug. "Do you think we shall ga1
much by the change? This old relative OF
ours is, perhaps, as delightful as we could
wish him, and yet l wish father had no,
left us to his lender mercies."
do not dwell on that" says Vera
with nervous haste; do not seek fol-
faults in the inevitable. He is all that il
left u.s. You know the sudden decision
arose out of a letter received by father
from Uncle Gregory about year ago
When father was-was-dying-" She
pauses abruptly, and a tremor shakes hel
last words.
The younger girl turns quickly to look
at her. There is infinite love and com
passion in her glance. but perhaps a littl,
contempt, and certainly little impa
tence.
DO you know" she says, sit may seen
hearless-positively coarse, if you will
bu. do not think our father was a mar
10 excite respect much less love or regret
Or
ON. 1t is better not to speak like that :
interrupts Miss Dysart in low, shocked
tone. Don't do it, darling. | know
what you mean, but"
And | know that | shall never forgi~,
or forget the life he led you," says Grsel
da, with certain angry excitement.
We'll, that is over" says Miss Dysart
with quick sigh. heavily indrawn.
What was this vendetta, this terrbl,
lifelong quarrel that was kept up be
tween him and father with such monoton
Gus pcrsistency?'
That had to do with our grandfather,
will. Papa was the eldest son, vet tn,
property was left to Uncle Gregory; ant
that for no reason at all. Naturally, pap,
was very angry about it, and accused
Gregory of using undue influence"
Just so. and of course there is a goo,
deal behind that you don't know. Their,
always is; nobody ever tells quite every
thing And besides Oh. Oh, Vera
Oh. what has happened?'
t'riselda clutches in an agonized fashion
Al the leather side of the crazy ole
chariot. which has topplcd over to tn,
left side and stands in Il decidedly dissi
palcd position. The ancient driver, pre-
Sumuhly asleep, had let the horses wan
der at their own sweet will. and they be
ing old and sleepy, too. the result wa.
that they had dragged two of the wheels
MP on steep bank and nearly capsize,
the carriage.
"Oh, thank YOU" says Miss Dysart
leaning forward and addressing with earn
est glance and heightened color the youn.
man who had risen descended. perhaps
sounds plcasantcr and more orthodox
like n good angel from somewhere
wood ou their right no doubt. A fshin,
rod lying on the rond whore he had fun.
IL when preparing for his ignoblc BATH
with those poor old horses. proclaims th
fact thai he has been whipping the STREAM
thai CLEANS here and there Brilliant,
through the intcrsticcs of the trees.
'Oh, no says he. lifting his hat, ''yo,
mustn't thank me. 1t was really nothing
Poor brutcs, | think they were asleep