Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-02-27
CHAPTER MI.

irISclha, UaIllnp HoHleWdTu tlTouSH
the twilightcd garden. after another stol-
en- meeting with Tom Peyton on the gar
den wall. stops as she reaches the sum-
mer house. a favorite resort of Neras
Notwithstanding the father unpleasant
associations connected with it. and pokes
in her head to find Vera there.
1--WE 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. l have said good
ny to him forever
What did he say? Was he very much
upset." with burning interest.
He said he'd manage to see me in
some way or other" says Grisclda, with
q heavy sigh.
''Oh, WELCOME now. that's not so
bad" says Vera, cheerfuly, forgetful of
prudence at sight of her sisters grief.
He seems from all have heard from
You IA sort of Il person who would he
difficult to battle. l think | should put
faith in that declaration of his if l were
you"
"Oh. he said more than that" cries
Griselda. why, it appears that Tom
Mr.. Peyton-knows Seaton quite WE'LL
and likes him, too. Mr.. Peyton says
10 Miss Butler, a friend of Lady Riv-
erdale's."
For Il moment there is dead silence
Veras cheek dies out leaving her sngu-
larry pale. No doubt the surprise is
great.
''ls that true?" she says. II should
not be surprised, though l confess l am;
/ &c w nf I mi ha tnI
from my first judgment of him. And
Que 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, Grunch?" Vera calmly
asks as the housekeeper appears on the
threshold.
''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 a
pale face. but it was with one paler still
she came out of it half an hour later,
white as death, and with n strained look
of passion on every feature not to be sub
dued. She might perhaps have given way
% IL
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 n
cold horror of contempt.
She stops short and fixes her heavy
eyes on his.
$50 you betrayed me!' she says, in a
low tone that vibrates with scorn.
betrayed your echoes he starting.
There is that in her face not to be mis-
taken, and a presentiment of coming
evil sends hot flush to his brow.
"YOu are bad actor" says she, with
n palesmile; you change color, at
crisis; you have still last grain of hon
esty left in you. You should see to that
Kill it quickly, it spoils your otherwise
perfect role"
"You are pleased to be engmatical,"
says he, with a frown. Il am, however.
at loss to know what you mean
"Oh, are you ashamed to keep it up
the dcception?" cries she with sud
den outbreak of wrath. "Oh. how could
you do it?''
''Great heaven. how can convince you
that have done nothing?" exclaims he
growing pale as herself.
''Therc was no one else awake. there
was no one to see me. says She trying
to stie her agitation. What. then. must
l think but that you were the one to tell
your father of that unlucky night when
! was locked out in the garden:'
"He has heard that?" Scaton. as if
thunderstruck looks blankly at her.
"Why do you compel me to tell you
what You already know" says she, with
little rrepressible stamp of her foot.
'If you will listen to what is already no
news to you, learn that your father sent
for me Just nova long time ago. hours
ago, l think" putting her hand to her
head in little. confused. miserable way
land accused me of having spent the
whole night alone with you, purposely, in
the garden.
And you think that /"
Il don't think" with a condemnatory
glance LAS l told you before. l know.
Your father has insocntly accused me
Of an impossible thing; but even if | had
stayed in the garden with you that night,
OF my own free will. cannot see where
would lie the disgrace he connects with
it,
''You are right, no one could see dis
grace where you WERE" says Seaton,
calmly. MY father is an old man. he"
''Is old enough to know how to insult
a woman" coldly, when" with terri
ble glance at him. "shown the way Oh"
laying her hand upon her breast in
paroxysm of grief, lit was abominable of
you, and you said-twice you said it,"
coming closer to him. and lifting accus-
ing eyes to his. Trust me- l remember
it as though you uttered it but now, and
I believed you. Trust me- you said"
Il should say it again." says Dysart,
"a hundred times again. Come" he says,
and leads her back again to the library
she has just quilted.
Gregory Dysart still sits in his usual
chair. his arms on the elbows of it. his
face is set, as though death had laid it's
seal on it, save for the marveously.
horribly youthful eyes, SO full of fire and
life.
you will be so good as to explain to
Vera at once" begins Seaton. in dan
gerous tone. how it was you learned of
her being in the garden the other night"
what night? She may have been out
every night. for aught l know; she tells
me she is fond of moonlight" replies the