The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-04-23

and they were both saying, with spas
modic cackles of pleasure, that sh'
mustn't believe word the youni
rascal said"
He was struck by the calm, serene
manner In which she accepted thes'
1ocular contributions to the occasion
Her smile was friendly, her handshaks
cordial, and yet there was an unmis
taxable air of tolerance, as OF one who
Is accustomed to tribute. She merely
smiled and thanked them in simple
commonplace phrases. Her voice wal
iow-pitched and marked by huski
ness that was peculiar in that 1t waf
musical, not throaty. Frederic, on
/ first seeing her, had leaped to the con
clusion that her English would not be
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 Danbury's hasty
"reminiscences, effectually ending 1t,
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. 1t
was as If she regarded this moment
| as pronounced crisis.
Frederic mumbled something fatu-
| Gus about being glad to see her, and
felt his face burn under her steady
gaze. His father came forward.
Yes; this is Frederic, my DEAR" he
said, without trace Of warmth in his
voice. AS she withdrew her hand
from Frederics clasp, James Brood
extended his. How are you, Fred
eric?"
Quite we'll, SIR"
They shook hands in the most per-
funetory manner
Il need not ask how you are, IA
ther," said the son, after an fnstant's
hesitation. You never looked bet
ter, SIR"
Thank you. am well. All, Mrs.
Desmond! 1t is good to be home
again with you all. My dear. permit
me to introduce Mrs. John Desmond.
You have heard me speak Of my old
comrade and"
? Il have heard you speak of Mr.. Des-
mond thousand times" said his wife.
There may have been shade of en-
phasis on the prefix, but it was SO
slight that no one remarked it save
the widow of John Desmond, who had
Joined the group.
will you go to your room at once,
Mrs. Brood?" asked Mrs. Desmond.
The new mistress of the house had not
offered to shake hands with her, as
James Brood had done. She had
moved closer to Frederic and was
smiling In rather shy, pleading way,
in direct contrast to her manner of the |
before. The smile was for |
her stepson. She barely glanced at |
Mrs. Desmond
Thank you, no. l see nice, big
fire and-oh, / have been SO cold!"
She shivered very prettily.
"ComeI" cried her husband. That's
Just the thing" No one spoke as they
moved toward the library. 1--WE must
try to thaw out" he added dryly, with
4 faint smile on his lips.
His wife laid her hand on Frederic's
arm. ut is cold outside, Frederic"
she said; very cold. l am not accus-
.omed to the cold"
He was prepared to dislike her. He
was determined that his hand should
oe against her in the conflict that was
pound to come. And now, in flash,
! strange, new emotion rushed up
within him like food. A queer,
Yistful note Of sympathy In her voice
lad done the trick. Something in
he touch of her fingers on his arm
completed the mystery. He was con-
cious of a mighty surge of relief.
The horizon cleared for him.
1--WE shall do our best to keep you !
warmth, he said quite gayly, and was {
omewhat astonished at himself.
They had preceded the others into s
be library. James Brood was divest- G
lg himself of his coat in the hall. at
ended by the leech-like old men. Mrs.
stood In the doorway, a de- '
ached figure. 6
you must love me, Frederic. You q
lust be very, very fond of me, not .
n your fathers sake but for mine e
hen we shall be great friends, not .
p
He was helping her with her coat. c
confess 1 looked forward to you Il
it'll a good deal of animosity," he d
i'd
But / shall not be stepmother," ie
lie said quickly. Her eyes were seri- p
is for an instant, then filled with 81
minous smile Il shall be Yvonne W
you, and you Frederic to me. Let 81
be good beginning" 81
you are Splendid" he cried. tits q
It going to be at all bad" o.
II am sure you will like me-" shs ID
i'd composedly.
Brood joined them at the fireside. 81
My dear, Mrs. Desmond will show IN
fn