The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-11-12


not come. Brood was regarding him |
with eyes from which every spark of |
compassion had disappeared Well |
it may interest you to know that 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
tingushable His face was gray and
shadowy; only the eyes were sharply
defined. They glowed like points OF
light, unflckering.
Il 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 He'd to her"
There was silence-tense silence.
do you expect me to strike you for
that?" came at last from Frederic's
ups, low anu LuGDdCluS.
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
a son should"
Wait! Well settle that point right
now. did lose my head. Head, say
not heart l shan't attempt to explain
i cant, for that matter. AS for
Yvonne-well, she's as good as gold.
She understands me better than | I'M
derstand myself. She knows that even
honest men lose their heads some
times. can say to you now that |
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-we'I call 1t infatuation. |
shall only admit that it has existed
and that l have despaired. AS God is
my witness, have never loved any
one but Lydia. have given her pain,
and the amazing part of 1t is that |
can't help myself. Naturally, you can't
understand what it all means. You are
not young man any longer. You
cannot understand"
Good God" burst from Broods lips.
Then he laughed aloud-grotesquely.
"YVonne is the most wonderful thing
that has ever come into my life.
adored her the instant / saw her.
have felt sometimes that knew her a
thousand years ago. have felt that
loved her thousand years ago." A
calm seriousness now attended his
speech, in direct contrast to the violent
mood that had gone before. y have
thought Of little else but her l con-
fess 1t to you. But through it all there
has never been an instant in which
did not worship Lydia Desmond. /
I do not pretend to account for it. II
is beyond me-
Brood waited patiently to the end
Your mother before you had some
what similar affection" he said, still
in the steady, depressed 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 tt
acknowledge that I ever had
mother"
Brood's smile was deadly. "If yor
have anything more to say to me, you
would better get 1t over with. Purge
your soul of all the gall that embitters
it. l grant you that privilege. Take
your innings"
A spasm Of pain crossed Frederick
face. Yes, am entitled to my In
nings. I'll go back to what l said down
stairs. thought loved and honorec
you last night I would have forgiven
everything if you had granted me |
, friendly-friendly, that's adjust
friendly word. You denied"
81 suppose you want me to believ'
that it was love for me that brough
, you Sinking to the theater," said thu
other ironically,
Il don't expect you to believe any
, thing. / was lonely. | wanted to b,
with you and Yvonne. Can't you un
derstand how lonely I've been all m,
life? Can't you understand how hun
CRY | am for the affection that ever,
other boy I've known has had from hi
parents? I've never asked you abou
my mother. | used to wonder a goo,
deal. Every other boy had mother.
. never had one. / couldn't understand
I no longer wonder know now tina
she must have hated you with all tn
. strength of her soul. God, how sh
must have hated to feel the touch O
' your hands upon her body! Somethin
, tells me she left you, and If she did,
hope she afterwards found someon
who-but no, won't say it. Even nov
I haven't the heart to hurt you by say
. ing that" He stopped, choking u
with the rush of bitter words. "Wel
why don't you say something"
'Tm giving you your innings. g