Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-03-20
CHAPTER XIX.


following morning with a feeling of
strong curiosity, but with none of regret.
The funeral that takes place on the third
day is small certainly. yet. considering
all things-the dead mans open hostility
to his neghbors. and the dearth of hos
pitality that characterized his soJourn
among them-larger than might have
been expected, and at all events select.
Among others Lord Riversdale attended
out of compliment, it was supposed, to
Scaton. as he and the old man had never
so much as seen each others features.
But it was found impossible to conceal
the existence of Sedley from the two
girls Peyton had undertaken to give
them rather careful account of what
had happened: and in truth. when all
was told, he was almost as much at sea
about it as they were, as the stranger re-
manned stranger to him. Sedley had
determined to reveal the secret hold he
had had on Mr.. Dysart to Seaton. thluk-
ing the latter would make good his faith
ers promises.
1t is in the old mans private den that
he does this Going up to the old-fash-
toned bureau he, by subtle touch, I'M
locks the secret spring.
The door falls back, the hidden shelves
and their contents lie all unconcealed.
Selling upon fast following parchment,
Sedley draws it out. and overcome by
fatigue and excitement, drops upon his
knees. Eagerly he opens and scans it,
and then holds it out to Dysart.
compare that" says he. in high
tone of triumph. with the will of your
grandfather. that left all to Gregory by
sart, cutting out the elder son. Compare
it, | say, and you will see that this was
executed three years later than that 9TH
er-that other which is now in force, and
has been these twenty years"
Mechanically Dysart takes it. No word
escapes him. Speech, indeed. is imposs-
BILE to him. so busy is his mind trying to
take in all the miserable dishonor of the
story that as yet has but the bald out
lines laid before him.
mo one knew of it but me-" says Sed
ley, feverishy, yet with an undercurrent
of delicious excitement in the recital.
But me and Crunch. What she made
out of it no one can tell, as the old chaps
gone, but she's as knowing q file in my
opinion as you'd meet in days walk.
You can see our two signatures. Eth.
cant you read EN-? We witnessed it.
We alone knew, and he bought us over.
Well, twas worth quid or two; it's a
fine old place
Dysart makes no answer He has sup
ported himself against Il table near him.
and is gazing blankly, hopelessly, through
the window at the dull landscape outside.
He sees nothing. heeds nothing, save the
voice of the man who is speaking.
Twas felony, mind you, besides the
fact of having to give up the money. and
property, and all. so | knew | could turn
on the screw as tight as | liked. But"
he laughs, you sec, l counted without
my host. l never dreamed the old man
would show fight like that. He took it
hardly, my return-guess he believed me
dead, and resented the breath in me
and shouldn't wonder if. after all these
years, he had got to believe the place,
money and everything, was legally his
own"
Still Dysart says nothing. He has In
deed withdrawn his dull eyes from the
scene without, and is now staring with
unseeing eyes at the parchment that tells
him how the property was never his faith
er's, but was left to his uncle, and how
his father suppressed the WILL and kept
the property in spite of law and honor.
and all things that so to give sweet
SAVIOR to mans life on earth. 1t had never
been his fathers. all this huge property.
it. never would be his. And if not, whose?
Vera's? He starts as if shot.
as that all?" he asks.
"Wel, no. Not quite. Your face says
very politely that you'd be glad to see my
back, but business first, pleasure after
ward" He grins. ut is as good for us
to come to terms now as later
"Terms?" repeats Dysart gazing at
him darkly.
"Ay, why not? Dye think you'll get
out of it scot free?'
Dysart stares at him as if scarcely
comprehending.
want time to think it over like your
respected parent?" with a snecr. Not
for me. my lad. Wen settle now or new
or. You see you're in my power, and
I'm not the one to"
Sir, am in no mans power" says
Dysart, calmly. II trust l never shall
be. This will" striking it with his hand,
Through which my uncle and his daugh-
ter have been-been fraudulently"-
says the word with diculty-"kept ont
of their property for so many years, shall
he at once restored to its proper owner"
a yellow tint overspreads Sedley's face.
AS If entirely overcome, he sinks upon n
chair.
You'll surrender?" he says with n
gasp. And your fathers memory? How
vii! you like to hear him branded as
common swindler, whom death alone saw
ed from the laws grip?"
Dysart blanches. Involuntarily he puts
out his hand and seizes the chair next
him and cings to it as if for support No.
no. that he could not endure
Il will give you $500 the day l see
you on board Il steamer sailing for Aus
tralia,' says Dysart with dry lips and
heart that seems dead within him. IL
nm now. comparatively speaking, poor
man." his words coming from him slowly,
mechanically, in dull, exprcssionless
way. Il can offer you no more"
double it," says Sedley. "and I'll
leave the country tomorrow.
Il haven't it at this moment, but
dare say | shall be able to manage it,"
says Dysart, in the same wornout, indif
ferent manner. "ln the meantime, while
try to get it, shall require of you that
you stay within this house and hold
speech with no one save Crunch"