The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-06-18

SUPPOSE tbu tuiHh an III 1--WE
with her." he said detiantly. He waited
moment for the response that did
not come Brood was regarding him
with eyes from which every spark OF
compassion had disappeared. We'll.
1t may interest you to know that ! In
tend to marry Lydia this very day"
Brood advanced a 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, unfickerlng.
II 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
that7" came at last from Frederics
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! Well settle that point right
now did lose my head. Head, say,
! not heart. shan't attempt to explain
Il can't, for that matter AS for
Yvonne-well, she's as good as gold.
She understands me better than | IN
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-weIl call 1t infatuatlon. !
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 1t all means. You are
not a young man any longer. You
cannot understand"
Good Cod" burst from Brood's lips.
Then he laughed aloud-grotesquely.
"Yvonne Is the most wonderful thing
that has ever come into my life. ]
adored her the instant l saw her. !
have felt sometimes that knew her q
thousand years ago. have felt that
I loved her a thousand years ago." A
calm seriousness now attended his
speech, In direct contrast to the violent
mood that had gone before. Il have
thought Of little else but her. con-
fess 1t to you. But through it all there
has never been an instant In which
did not worship Lydia Desmond. l.
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 1t is 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 ever had a
mother"
Brood's smile was deadly. IL you
have anything more to say to me, you
would better get 1t over with. Purge
your soul of all the gall that embitters
it. grant you that privilege. Take
your innings"
A spasm of pain crossed Frederic's
face. Yes, l am entitled to my In
nings. I'll 60 back to what l said down.
stairs. thought loved and honored
you last night would have forgiven
everything If you had granted me a
frlendly-friendly. that's ADJUST q
friendly word. You denied"
y suppose you want me to believe
that 1t was love for me that brought
! you sinking to the theater," said the
other ironically.
Il don't expect you to believe any
thing. was lonely. wanted to be
with you and Yvonne. Can't you un
derstand how lonely I've been all my
life? Can't you understand how hun
cry I am for the affection that every
other boy I've known has had from his
parents? I've never asked you about
nly mother. l used to wonder a good
deal. Every other boy had mother.
:. never had one l couldn't understand
no longer wonder. 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,
hone she afterwards found someone
who-but no. won't say It. Even now
haven't the heart to hurt you by say
, ing that" He stopped. choking up
with the rush of bitter words. We'll
why don't you say something's"
I'm giving you your innings. Go
on?" said Brood softly.