The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-05-08
CHAPTER TX.
The Sorceress.

The next day, after sleeplesS night,
Frederic announced to his stepmother
that he could no longer remain under
his fathers roof He would find some
thing to do in order to support him
self. 1t was impossible to go on pre-
tending that he loved or respected his
father, and the sooner the farce was
ended the better it would be for both
of them.
She, too, had passed a restless night,
a night filled with waking dreams as
well as those which came in sleep.
There was always an ugly, wriggly
kris in those dreams of hers, and
brown hand that was forever fascinat-
ing her with its uncanny dizziness.
Twice in the night she had clutched
her husbands shoulder in the terror
Of a dream, and he had soOthed her
with the comfort Of his strong arms.
She was like little child afraid Of
the dark"
Her influence alone prevented the
young man from carrying out his
threat. At first he was as firm as
rock in his determination He was
getting his few possessions together
in his room when she tapped on his
door. After a while he abandoned the
task and followed her rather dazedly
to the boudoir, promising to listen to
reason. For an hour she argued and
pleaded with him, and in the end he
agreed to give up what she was
pleased to call his preposterous plan
Now, that being settled" she said,
with a sigh of relief, "let US go and
talk it all over with Lydia"
He started guiltily. 'Td-Pd rather
not, Yvonne," he said. There's no
use worrying her with the thing now.
AS a matter of fact, I'd prefer that
she-er-well, somehow I don't like
the idea of explaining matters to her."
! She was watching him narrowly. ut
| has seemed to me of late, Frederic,
| that you and Lydia are not quite so
what shall l say?-so enamoTed Of
each other What has happened?" she
| inquired so innocently, so naively.
| that he looked at her in establishment.
''I am sure you fairly live at her house.
You are there nearly every day, and
yet-well, 1 can feel rather than see
the change in. both Of you. I hope"
1--WE been behaving like an internal
sneak, Yvonne," cried he, conscience
stricken. She's the finest, noblest
girl in all this world, and I've been
treating her shamefully."
Dear me! In what way, may
inquirer"
"Why we used to-oh, but why go
into all that? It would only amuse
YOU. You'd laugh at US for silly fools
But I can't help saying this much
she doesn't deserve to be treated as
I'm treating her now, YTonne- It's
hurting her dreadfuIIy and"
She laughed softly. I'm afraid you
are seeing too much Of your poor
stepmother," she said
His eyes narrowed. you've made
me over, that's true. You've made al
of US over-the house as well. I am
not happy unless 1 am with you. II
used to make me happy to be with
ILydia-and we were always together
But II don't care noW-at least.
am not unhappy when we are apart
You've done it, Yvonne. You've made
life worth living. You've made me
see everything differently. You"
She stood up, facing him. She ap
peared to be frightened
Are you trying to tell me thai
you are in love with mel" she de
manded, and there was no Longer
mockery, raiIlery in her voice
His eyes swept her from head Il
foot He vas deathly white
IF you we're not my fathers wife
would say yes" said he. hOarsely-