The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-04-22
CHAPTER TX.
The Sorceress.

The next day, after sleepless night,
Frederic announced to his stepmother
that he could no longer remain under
his fathers roof. He would find some
thing to do in order to support him
SELF 1t was impossible to go on pre-
tending that he loved or respected his
father, and the sooner the farce was
ended the better it would be for both
of them.
She, too, had passed restless night
night filled with waking dreams as
we'll as those which came in sleep
There was always an ugly, Wriggly
kris in those dreams of hers, and a
brown hand that was forever fascinat-
ing her with it's uncanny deftness.
Twice in the night she had clutched
her husbands shoulder in the terror
of dream, and he had soothed her
with the comfort of his strong arms.
She was like little child afraid of
the dark"
Her influence alone prevented the
young man from carrying out his
threat. At first he was as firm as a
rock in his determination. He was
getting his few possessions together
in his room when she tapped on his
door. After a while he abandoned the
task and followed her rather dazedly
to the boudoir, promising to listen to
reason. For an hour she argued and
pleaded with him, and in the end he
agreed to give up what she was
pleased to call his preposterous plan.
Now, that being settled" she said
with a sigh of relief, "let US go and
talk it all over with Lydia"
He started guiltily. "Pd-Pd rather
not, Yvonne," he said. There's nc
use worrying her with the thing now
AS a matter of fact, I'd prefer that
she--er-well, somehow l don't like
the idea of explaining matters to her.
She was watching him narrowly. "lt
has seemed to me of late, Frederic
that you and Lydia are not quite So
what shall | say?-so enamored o.
each other What has happened?" she
inquired so innocently, SO naively
that he looked at her in establishment
81 am sure you fairly live at her house
You are there nearly every day, ant
yet-well, can feel rather than SCI
the change in both of you. / hope
1--WE been behaving like an inferna
sneak, Yvonne," cried he, conscience
stricken. She's the finest, mobiles
girl in all this world, and I've beel
treating her shamefully."
Dear me! In what way, may
inquirer"
"Why we used to-oh, but why g
into all that? 1t would only anus
you. You'd laugh at us for silly fools
But can't help saying this much
she doesn't deserve to be treated a
I'm treating her now, Yvonne. It.
hurting her dreadfully and"
She laughed softly. Pm afraid yor
are seeing too much of your poo
stepmother," she said.
His eyes narrowed. you've mad
me over, that's true. You've made a
of us over-the house as well. ar
not happy unless l am with you.
used to make me happy 60 be wit
Lydia-and we were always together
But IL don't care now-at least,
am not unhappy when we are apar
You've done it, Yvonne. You've mad
life worth living You've made m
see everything differently. You"
, She stood up, facing him. She al
, peared to be frightened.
"Are you trying to tell me tht
you are in love with me?" she d
. manded, and there was no longe
y mockery, raillery in her voice.
His eyes swept her from head
i. foot. He was deathly white.
'If you were not my fathers vii
/ would say yes" said he, hoarseiy.