The Carlisle independent., 1915-05-27

They were alone in his room. He squared bis shoulders.
 T suppose you think I am in love with her" he said defantly He waited a moment for the response that did not come Brood was regarding him with eyes from which every spark of compassion had disappeared. Well it may interest you to know that I in- tend to marry Lydia this very day"
 Brood advanced few steps toward him. In the subdued light of the room his features were not clearly dis tinguishable. His face was gray and shadowy; only the eyes were sharply defined. They glowed like points of light, unHickering.
 'I shall be sorry for Lydia" he said levelly.
 You needn't be-" said Frederic hot ly. She understands everything"
 Have you told her that you love her and no one else?"
 Certainly"
 Then you have lied to her"
 There was silence-tense silence. Do you expect me to strike you for that?" came at last from Frederie's lips, low and menacing.
 You have always considered your self to be my son, haven't you?" pur- sued Brood deliberately. "Can you say to me that you have behaved of late as son should"
 Wait! We'll settle that point right now. did lose my head. Head, say, not heart I shan't attempt to explain T can't, for that matter As for Yvonne-well, she's as good as gold. She understands me better than 1 un- derstand myself. She knows that even l honest men lose their heads some times. can say to you now that l would sooner have cut my own throat than to do more than envy you the possession of one you do not de- serve. have considered myself your son. have no apology to make for my-weu call it infatuation. I shall only admit that it has existed and that I have despaired. As God is my witness. I have never loved any one but Lydia. l have given her pain, and the amazing part of it is that I cant help myself Naturally, you cant understand what it all means. You are not young man any longer You cannot understand"
 Good God,' burst from Brood's lips. Then he laughed grotesquely | "Yvonne is the most wonderful thing that has ever come into my life. adored her the instant I saw her. l | have felt sometimes that I knew her a thousand years ago. 1 have felt that l loved her thousand years ago." A calm seriousness now attended his speech, in direct contrast to the violent mood that had gone before. q have thought of little else but her. con fess it to you. But through it all there has never been an instant in which I did not worship Lydia Desmond. r. l do not pretend to account for it. It is beyond me"
 Brood waited patiently to the end. Your mother before you had a some what similar affliction," he said, still in the steady, repressed voice. Per haps it is a gift-a convenient gift this ability to worship without effort !"
 Better leave my mother out of it, /" said Frederic sarcastically A look of wonder leaped to his eyes. That's the first time you've condescended to acknowledge that I ever had a mother"
 Brood's smile was deadly. If you have anything more to say to me, you would better get it over with. Purge your soul of all the gall that embitters it. I grant you that privilege. Take your innings"
 A spasm of pain crossed Frederic's face. Yes, I am entitled to my in- nings I'll go back to what said down. | stairs. I thought l loved and honored you last night I would have forgiven everything if you had granted me a friendly-friendly, that's all-just a friendly word You denied-''
 T suppose you want me to believe that it was love for me that brought you sinking to the theater," said the other ironically
 T don't expect you to believe any thing I was lonely. I wanted to be with you and Yvonne. Cant you un- derstand how lonely I've been all my life? Can't you understand how hun gry I am for the affection that every other boy I've known has had from his parents? I've never asked you about ny mother. I used to wonder a good deal. Every other boy had a mother. I never had one. 1 couldn't understand. I no longer wonder. I know now that she must have hated you with all the strength of her soul. God, how she must have hated to feel the touch of your hands upon her body! Something tells me she left you, and if she did, l hope she afterwards found someone who-but no, won't say 1t. Even now I haven't the heart to hurt you by say ing that" He stopped choking up with the rush of bitter words. Well, why don't you say something"
 I'm giving you your innings. Go onp" said Brood softly.