The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-04-17

as "the best old boys in all the world"
and they were both saying, with spas
modic cackles of pleasure, that she
mustn't believe a word the young
rascal said
He was struck by the calm, serene
manner in which she accepted these
jocular contributions to the occasion.
Her smile was friendly, her handshake
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 was
low-pitched and marked by a huski-
ness that was peculiar in that it was
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 it,
this is Frederick"
She came directly toward the young
man, her small, gIoved 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 Frederic's clasp, James Brood
extended his. How are you, Fred
eric?"
quite we'll, sir"
They shook hands in the most per-
functory manner.
81 need not ask how you are, IA
ther," said the son, after an instant's
hesitation. you never looked bet
ter, sir"
Thank you. am we'll. All, Mrs.
Desmond! It 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"
'I have heard you speak Of Mr.. Des-
mond a thousand times said his wife.
There may have been a 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.
'FWill 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 a rather shy, pleading way,
In direct contrast to her manner of the
moment before. The smile was for
her stepson. She barely glanced at
Mrs. Desmond.
Thank you, no. I see a nice, big
| fire and-oh, 1 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 I'VE must
try to thaw OUT he added dryly, with
faint smile on his lips.
His wife laid her hand on Frederic's
arm. ct is cold outside, Frederic, -
she said; very cold. am not accus-
toned to the cold"
He was prepared to dislike her. He
was determined that his hand should
be against her in the conflict that was
/ To nd in och
| q strange, new emotion rushed up
within him like a flood. A queer,
wistful note of sympathy in her voice
had done the trick. Something in
the touch of her fingers on his arm
completed the mystery. He was con-
scious 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
| somewhat astonished at himself.
They had preceded the others into
the library. James Brood was divest-
ing himself of his coat in the hall, at
tended by the leech-like old men. Mrs.
Desmond stood in the doorway, de-
tached figure.
you must love me, Frederic. You
must be very, very fond of me, not
| for your fathers sake but for mine.
Then we shall be great friends, not
| antagonists"
He was helping her with her coat.
81 confess 1 looked forward to you
with good deal of animosity," he
said
''But 1 shall not be a stepmother, I"
she said quickly. Her eyes were seri-
Gus for an instant, then filed with a
| luminous smile. 81 shall be Yvonne
to you, and you Frederic to me. Let
it be a good beginning"
you are splendid" he cried. Its
not going to be at all bad
'T am sure you will like me-" she
said composedly.
Brood joined them at the freside.
my dear, Mrs. Desmond will show
you over the house when you are
ready. You will be Interested In see
! ing the old place. Later on 1 shall
| take you up to my secret hiding place,
as they say in books. Ranjab will
have the rooms in order by this eve