The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-08-27

mOdlC Cdckl6s u piCaSuASt NHAs
mustn't believe a word the young
rascal said"
He was struck by the calIA, serene
manner In which she accepted these
ocular contributions to the OCCASION
Her smile was friendly, her handshake
cordial, and yet there was an anmls-
taxable air of tolerance, as OF one VINO
Is accustomed to tribute. She merely |
smiled and thanked them in simple
commonplace phrases. Her voice was
low.pitched and marked by husKi-
ness that was peculiar In that It was
musical, not thrnaty. Frederic, on
first seeing her, had leaped to the con-
clusion that her English would not pc
perfect. He was somewhat surprised
to discover that she had but the faint
est trace of an accent He awoke SUD
denly, however, to the realization that
he had been looking into his new STEP
mothers eyes for long time and that
she was returning his gaze with some
intensity.
And this?" she said, abruptly break
ing in upon one Of Danburys hasty
"reminiscences, effeetually ending IT,
"this is Frederick"
She came directly toward the young
man, her small, gloved hand extended
Her eyes were looking into his with
an intentness that disconnected him.
There was no smile on her lips. II
was as If she regarded this moment
as pronounced crisis.
Frederic mumbled something fatu-
Gus about being glad to see her, ana
felt his face burn under her steady
gaze. His father came forward.
Eyes; this is Frederic, my dear" he
said, without trace of warmth in his
voice. AS she withdrew her hand
, from Frederic's clasp, james Brood
|. extended his. "How are you, Fred
eric?"
quite well, sir"
They shook hands in the most per
7 functory manner
= 81 need not ask how you are, "a
!. Their" said the son, after an instant'
. hesitation. "You never looked BET
ter, sir"
THANK you. l am well. All, Mrs
Desmond! 1t Is good to be hom
: again with you all. My dear. permi
!. me to introduce Mrs. John Desmond
!. You have heard me speak OF my oil
u comrade and"
= 81 have heard you speak of Mr.. Del
mond a thousand times" said his wife
:. There may have been a shade OF en-
|. phasis on the prefix, but It was 8
" slight that no one remarked 1t saw
:. the widow of John Desmond, who ha
' Joined the group.
"a "will you go to your room at ono
Mrs. Brood?" asked Mrs. Desmon
The new mistress of the house had nj
- offered to shake hands with her,
n James Brood had done. She ma
moved closer to Frederic and WI
he smiling in a rather shy, pleading wa
II. in direct contrast to her manner of u
moment before. The smile was 4
10 her stepson. She barely glanced
a Mrs. Desmond.
he Thank you. no. l see nice, D
~. FIRE and-oh, I have been so cold
NV She shivered very prettily.
20. "Come!" cried her husband. "Tha
he Just the thing" No one spoke as tn
az moved toward the library. We mu
try to thaw out" he added dryly, wi
a faint smile on his lips
His wife laid her hand on Frederi
arm. 1T Is cold outside, Frederi
she said; very cold. am not acc'
the toned to the cold"
II He was prepared to dislike her.
md was determined that his hand sho'
to be against her in the conflict that v
his bound to come. And now, In ia
ng- a strange. new emotion rushed
MP within him like flood. A que
IDS wistful note of sympathy in her vo
.om had done the trick. Something
val. the touch Of her fingers on his 0
pier completed the mystery. He was c
scious of a mighty surge OF rel
ter. The horizon cleared for him.
up I'VE shall do our best to keep
fur warmth" he said quite gayly. and
own somewhat astonished at himself.
They had preceded the others
he'd the library. James Brood was div
| of ing himself Of his coat in the hall.
fore tended by the leech.like old men. \
car, Desmond stood in the doorway,
the tached figure.
one "You must love me, Frederic.
lace must be very, very fond OF me.
ONE for your fathers sake but for m
his Then we shall be great friends.
Talk. antagonists"
most He was helping her with her c
out 81 confess looked forward to
de- with a good deal Of animosity.
said.
fixed But shall not be stepmoth
into she said quickly. Her eyes were
she Gus for an instant, then filed wi
mile luminous smile. Il shall be YvC
lips, to you, and you Frederic to me.
an 1t be good beginning"
had you are splendid" be cried.
itiful not going to be at all bad
! stu II am sure you will like me-"
ii he said composedly.
n; In Brood joined them at the fire
cture my dear. Mrs. Desmond viii
snsea -. nunr the hnnsa when Won