The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-02-28
CHATTER XII.

associations connected with II, ana pokes
in her head to find Vera there.
"I'ye come back" she cries, breath
lessly, sinking into a seat and looking at
Vera with despair in her eyes. Il have
done as you desired me. have said good
Dy TO him foreverW
"Yhat did be say7 Wash very much
upsetT' with burning interest
ale said he'd manage to see me In
some way or other" says Griselda, with
a heavy sigh.
"Oh, Welcome now, that's not so
bad" says Vera, cheerfully, forgetful Of
prudence at sight of her sisters grief.
"He seems from all I have heard from
you IA sort Of a person who would be
diflcult to baffie. I think should put
faith In that declaration Of his II were
you"
"Oh, he said more than that" cries
Griselda. why, it appears that Tom
Mr.. Peyton--knows Seaton quite well,
and likes him, too. Mr.. Peyton says
that he, Seaton. is engaged to be married
to Miss Butler, a friend Of Lady Riv-
erdale's."
For a moment there is dead silence,
during which the pretty crimson on
Vera's cheek dies out, leaving her singu-
larly pale No doubt the surprise Is
great.
"Is that trueT" she says. Il should
not be surprised, though | confess / am;
it is only what | might have expected
from my first judgment of him. And
one should not condemn him, either; it Is
not his fault that he calls Uncle Gregory
father"
A footstep upon the gravel outside
makes them both turn their heads.
What is it, GrunchT Vera calmly
asks as the housekeeper appears on the
threshold.
1.-The master wishes to see you, Miss
Dysart, in the library" There is an ex-
preston Of malignant amusement in the
woman's eyes as she says this.
Vera had gone into the library with q
pale face, but 1t was with one paler still
she came out of 1t half an hour later,
white as death, and with a strained look
of passion on every feature not to be sub
dued. She might perhaps have given way
to the blessed relief Of tears II she had
had time to escape Griselda; but as she
finds herself looking at Seaton Dysart
who has at this moment entered the In
ner hall leading to the room she has just
left, all her being seems to stiffen into 9
cold horror Of contempt.
She stops short and fixes her heavy
eyes on his.
$50 you betrayed mev' she says, in I
low tone that vibrates with scorn.
Betrayed you?" echoes he, starting
There is that In her face not to be mis-
taken, and a presentiment of coming
evil sends a hot flush to his brow.
"You are a bad actor" says she, will
a palesmile; you change color, at
crisis you have still last grain of hon
esty left in you. You should see to that
kill 1t quickly, it spoils your otherwis
perfect role"
"You are pleased to be enigmatical
says he, with frown. Il am, however
at loss to know what you mean"
"Oh, are you ashamed to keep 1t u
the deception cries she with sud
den outbreak of wrath. "Oh, how coul'
you do itr
Great heaven! how can convince yo
that | have done nothingT exclaims he
growing pale as herself.
"There was no one else awake, ther
was no one to see me-" says she, tryin
TO stihe her agitation. What then, mus
| think but that you were the one to tel
your father of that unlucky night whe
| was locked out in the garden"
''He has heard thatY" Seaton, as
thunderstruck, looks blankly at her.
"Why do you compel me to tell 20
what you already knowr says she, wit
A little irrepressible stamp Of her foot
"If you will listen to what is already n
news to you, learn that your father sen
for me just nova long time ago, hour
ago, | think" putting her hand to he
head in a little, confused, miserable way
land accused me of having spent th
whole night alone with you, purposely, /
the garden"
"And you think that ="
81 don't think" with a condemnator
glance. CAS- | told you before, | know
Your father has insolently accused m
of an impossible thing; but even If ha
STAYED in the garden with you that nigh
of my own free will, cannot see wher
would lie the disgrace he connects wit
it."
"You are right, no one could see di,
grace where you were" says Seator
calmly. MY father is an old man, he
SIS old enough to know how to insu
q woman" cOldly, when" with terri
BILE glance at him, shown the way. Oh,
laying her hand upon her breast In
paroxysm Of grief, lit was abominable {
you, and you said-twice you said 1t,
coming closer to him, and lifting accu
ing eyes to his, Trust me- remembe
il as though you uttered 1t but now, an
believed you. Trust me, you said"
81 should say it again" says Dysar
"a hundred times again. Come" he say
and leads her back again to the lbrar
she has just quilted.
Gregory Dysart still sits In his usu
chair, his arms on the elbows OF 1t, h
face is set, as though death had laid /
seal on 1t. save for the marvelousl
horribly youthful eyes, so full Of FIRE al
life.
"You win be so good as to explain
Vera at once" begins Seaton, in da
gerous tone, "how it was you learned
her being in the garden the other night
What night2 She may have been o
every night, for aught | know; she te
me she is fond OF moonlight" replies Il
old man. impassively..
"You understand perfectly the night
which | speak" says Seston, his ia
now livid. "Who7" he repeats, In a lo
but terrible voice.
Crunch" replies Mr.. Dysart, shortl
something in his sons face warned hi
not to go further.
"You hear?" says Seaton, turning
Eera. sit was Crunch who betray
Va You. You are satisfied nowT'
ION that point. yes. suppose shou
offer you. an apology" says she, ici
But" with q swift glance at his faith,
show can be satisfied when"
Her voice breaks.
Sir" cries Seaton, addressing
father with sudden passion, why
you speak to her OF thls1 Why ha
you deliberately insulted your brothe
childr'
There was no insult. | may have tC
her that II she chooses to do such thin
as society disapproves Of, she must on
submit TO the consequences and consid
herself ostraclsed."
Compromised you said"
"Well, Il Is as good a word; you 8
welcome 70 It."
"PshawT says Seaton. with = qui
motion Of the hand, as IL 6inging I
idea far from him, ''let US have no me
Of such petty scandal You forge
sternly. that when you seek to comp
mise Vera. you condemn me. your son.
Dysart shrugged his shoulders.
The man is never In fault; - 70
...ia rtla. saws ~ EChflw