The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-03-07
The next morning fresh edict was

The next morning a fresh edict was
Issued. II came from James Brood and
II was so staggering that the poor gen
tlemen were loath TO believe their ears.
AS a result OF this new command, they
began to speak OF Mrs. Brood in the
privacy Of their own room as that
woman" OF course 1t was entirely
due to her mischievous, maleyolent in
fuence that a spineless husband put
forth the order that they were to have
nothing more to drink while they re-
NAMED in his house. This command
was modified 10 slight extent later
on. Brood felt sorry for the victims.
He loved them and he knew that their
pride was injured a great deal more
than their appetite. In its modified
form, the edict allowed them a small
drink in the morning and another at
bedtime, but Jones. the butler, held
the key to the situation and-the side
board And after that they looked up
on Mrs Brood as the common enemy
Of all three.
The case Of Mrs John Desmond was
disposed of in a summary but tactful
manner.
III Mrs. Desmond is willing to re-
main, James, as housekeeper instead
Of friend, all well and good" said Mrs.
Brood. discussing the matter in the
seclusion of her boudoir. Il doubt,
however, whether she can descend to
that. You have spoiled her, my dear"
He flushed. Il trust you do not
mean to imply that"
81 should like to have Mrs. Desmond
as my friend not as my housekeeper,
said his wife simply.
BY joye, and that's just what |
should like" he cried.
There Is but one way, you know"
"She must be one or the other, eh?"
PRECISELY" she said with firmness.
"In my country, James, the wives of
best friends haven't the same moral
standing that they appear to have in
yours. Oh, don't scowl so! Shall |
tell you that | do not mean to reflect
Oll Allb ltGlllOIli VII Nu' Vi NiSNi@
tion? Far from it, If she is to be my
friend, she cannot be your housekeep-
er. That's the point. Has she any
means of her own? Can she"
She has a small income, and an an
nuity which | took out for her soon
after her poor husbands death. We
were the closest of friends"
Il understand, James. You are very
generous and very loyal. quite un-
derstand. Losing her position here,
then, will not be a hardship"
NO" said he soberly.
81 am quite competent, James," she
said brightly. You will not miss her.
am sure"
Are you laughing at me, daring?"
She gave him one of her searching,
unfathomable glances, and then smiled
with rogush mirth.
Isn't it your mission in life to
amuse and entertain me?"
81 love you, Yvonne-Good God, how
love you!" he cried abruptly. His
eyes burnt with sudden flame of pas
sion as he bent over her. His face
quivered; his whole being tingled with
the fierce spasm of an uncomfortable
desire to crush the warm. adorable
body to his breast in the supreme
ecstasy of possession.
She surrendered herself to his pas.
sionate embrace. A little later, she
withdrew herself from his arms, her
lips still quivering with the fierceness
of his kisses. Her eyes, dark with
wonder and perplexity, regarded his
transfgured face for a long, tense
moment.
rs this love, James," she whis.
pered "Is this the real, true love?"
What else, in heavens name, can it
be-" he cried. He was sitting upon