Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-03-25
CHAPTER XIX.

OF that nights fatal work the country
side remains in complete ignorance. VI
Mr.. Dysart's sudden death it hears the
following morning with 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 hostllty
to his neighbors. and the dearth OF nos
pitality that characterized his soJoufn
among them-larger than might nave
been expected, and at all events select.
Among others Lord Riversdale attended
out of compliment, it was supposed, 10
Seaton, 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 a rather careful account OF wnat
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-
mained a stranger to him. Sedley nao
determined to reveal the secret holo ne
had had on Mr.. Dysart to Seaton, think
ing the latter would make good his fatn-
er's promises.
1t is in the old mans private den that
he does this. Going up to the oid-fash-
lOueO bureau me- uy SuDlic IooNA' NA-
locks the secret spring.
The door falls back, the hudden shelves
and their contents lie all unconcealed.
Seizing upon fast yellowing 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
Of trin wit Wv
grandfather, that left all to Gregory Dy-
sart, cutting out the elder son. Compare
it, l 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 impossi-
BILE to him, so busy is his mind trying to
take in all the misera BILE dishonor of the
story that as yet has but the bald out
lines laid before him.
NO One knew Of it but me" says Sed-
ley, feverishly, yet with an undercurrent
of delicious excitement in the recital.
But me an, .sGnch. What she made
oat of it no one can tell, as the old chap S
gone, but she's as knowing file In my
opinion as you'd meet in a days walk.
You can see our two signatures. Eh,
can't you read 'em? We witnessed it.
We alone knew, and he bought US over.
Well, twas worth a quid or two; it's a
fine old place"
Dysart makes no answer. He has sup
ported himself against 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 l knew l could turn
on the screw as tight as l liked. But,
he laughs, you see, l counted withou,
my host. 1 never dreamed the old mar
would show fight like that. He took il
hardly, my return-guess he believed me-
dead. and resented the breath in me
and | shouldn't wonder if, after all thes'
years, he had got to believe the place
money and everything, was legally hi
own"
Still Dysart says nothing. He has in
deed withdrawn his dull eyes from tn
scene without, and is now staring witt
unseeing eyes at the parchment that tell
him how the property was never his fath
er's, but was left to his uncle. and hoV
his father suppressed the will, and KEEP
the property In spite of law and honor
and all things that so to give a swee
savor to mans life on earth. 1t had neVe
been his fathers, all this huge property
It never would be his. And if not, whose
Vera's? He starts as if shot.
"Is that ALP" he asks.
well, no. Not quite. Your face say
very politely that you'd be glad to see m
back, but business first, pleasure after
ward" He grins. 1T Is as good for u
to come to terms now as later"
.'Terms?" repeats Dysart, gazing 8
him darkly.
"Ay, why not? Dye think you'll &c
out of it scot freeg'
Dysart stares at him as IL scarcel
comprehending.
Want time to think it over like yor
respected parent?" with a sneer. 'Nt
for me, my lad. Wen settle now or ne
er. You see you're in my power, an
I'm not the one to"
Sir, l am in no mans power, sa!
Dysart, calmly. Il trust l never sha
be. This WILL" striking it with his han
Through which my uncle and his daug
ter have been--been fraudulently"-l
SAWS the word with dificulty-"kept o.
Of their property for so many years, shs
be at once restored to its proper owner
A yellow tint overspreads Sedley's fac
As il entirely overcome, he sinks upon
chair.
You'll surrenderT he says with
gasp. And your fathers memory? he
will you like to hear him branded as
common swindler. whom death alone 81
ed from the laws grip?"
Dysart blanches. Involuntarily he pu
ont his hand and seizes the chair ne
him and clngs to it as if for support. \
no, that he could not endure.
Il will give you $500 the day l S
you on board a steamer sailing for Al
traIia." says Dysart with dry lips and
heart that seems dead within him.
am now, comparatively speaking. a pc
man." his words coming from him slow
mechanically. in a dull. expressioni'
way. Il can offer you no more
Double it," says Sedley. "snd
leave the country tomorrow"
Il haven't it at this moment, but
dare say I shall be able to manage /
SAYS Dysart, in the same wornout, Inc
ferent manner. In the meantime, WI
/ try to get il, shall require Of you Il
you stay within this house and h
speech with NO one says Crunch"