The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-06-03

as they sat far into the night and dis
cussed the possibilities of the day so
near at hand. She could see nothing |
but disaster, and she could think OF |
nothing but her own lamentable weak
ness in shrinking from the encounter |
that might have made the present stu
alton impossible. She tried to make |
light of the situation, however, prophe- |
sying calmer attitude for Frederic
after he had slept over his grievance,
which, after all, she argued, was doubt
less exaggerated. She promised to
go with Lydia to see James Brood in
the morning, and to plead with him to
be merciful to the boy she was to
marry, no matter what transpired. The
girl at first insisted on going over to
see him that night, Notwithstanding
the hour, and was dissuaded only after
the most earnest opposition.
II was four o'clock before they went
back to bed and long after five before
either closed her eyes.
Mrs. Desmond, utterly exhausted,
was the first to awake. She glanced
at the little clock on her dressing-table
and gave a great start of consterna-
tion. 1t was long past nine o'clock.
While she was dressing, the little maid
servant brought in her coffee and toast
and received instructions not to awak-
en- Miss Lydia but to let her have her
sleep out. A few minutes later she
left the apartment and walked briskly
around the corner to Brood's home.
Fearing that she might be too late.
she walked so rapidly that she was
quite out OF breath when she entered
the house. Mr.. Riggs and Mr.. Dawes
were putting on their coats in the hall
preparatory to their short morning
constitutional. They greeted her effu.
,, sively, and with one accord proceeded
to divest themselves of the coats, an
nouncing in one voice their intention
to remain for a good. old-fashioned
chat.
Its dear OF you," she said, hur.
; riedly. but l must see Mr.. Brood at
! once. Why not come over to my
, apartment this afternoon for a cup OF
tea and"
Mrs. Brood's voice interrupted her.
!, what do you want. Mrs. Desmond?''
came from the landing above. The
: visitor looked up with a start, not so
> much of surprise as uneasiness There
!. was something sharp. unfriendly in the
: low. level tones.
Yvonne. fully dressed-a most un'
I, usual circumstance at that hour Of the
day-was leaning over the banister
rail.
81 came to see Mr.. Brood on very
Important"
9 "Eave you been sent over here by
someone else?" demanded Mrs. Brood
u II have not seen Frederic" fell from
her lips before she thought.
u II dare say you haven't" said the
other with ominous clearness. HE
8 has been here since seven this morn
8 Ing, waiting for a chance to speak tC
his father in private"
r She was descending the stairs slow
ly. almost lazily, as she uttered the
!" remark.
D. "They are together now?" gaspet
s. Mrs. Desmond.
IL "Will you come into the library
s Good morning. gentlemen. trust yo,
IT may enjoy your long walk"
Mrs. Desmond followed her into tn,
It library. Yvonne closed the door al
d most in the face of Mr.. Riggs. VIII,
had opened his mouth to accept tn,
le invitation to tea, but who said he,
ID "be d-d" instead. so narrow was hi
v. escape from having his nose banged
He emphasized the declaration b.
ls shaking his fist at the door.
u The two women faced each othel
is For the first time since she had kno,
le Yvonne Brood Mrs. Desmond observe
r high touch of color In her cheeks
Her beautiful eyes were alive with a
Il excitement she could not conceal. Ne
?" ther spoke for a moment.
~ "You are accountable for this, Mri
Brood" said Lydia Desmond's mother
d. sternly. accusingly. She expected
storm OF indignant protest. Instead
As Yvonne smiled slightly.
1T will not hurt my husband I
Is discover that Frederic is a man an
lg not milksop," she said, but despit
her cooiness there was perceptibl
st note of anxiety in her voice.
IT, "You know. then. that they are
ne that they will quarrel?'
"I fancy 1t was in Frederic's min
he to do so when he came here tn
morning. He was still IL his evenin
Ie, clothes, Mrs. Desmond"
w Where are they now"
. II think he has them on" sal
W. Yvonne. lightly.
:" Mrs. Desmond regarded her for
ot moment in perplexity. Then her ey,
be flashed dangerously. II do not thin
Nv you misunderstood me, Mrs Broo
SIX Where are Frederic and his father
lg. II am not accustomed to that tor
Id of voice, Mrs. Desmond"
30. II am no longer your housekeeper
In said the other. succinctly. "You I
ar not realize what this quarrel ms
lp. mean. insist on going up to the