The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-01

oened to make you so bitter toward
her. she went on, still watching him
through half closed eyes. Was she
unfaithful to you? Was"
Good God. Y~vonne!" ne cried, an
angry light jumping into his eyes-the
eyes that so recently had been ablaze
with love.
I'VE must never speak of-of that
again." he said, a queer note OF hoarse-
ness in his voice. Never, do you I'M
d~erstand?" He was very much shaken.
Forgive me-" she pleaded, stretch
ing out her hand to him. Il am fool
ish, but | did not dream that | was be-
ing cruel or unkind. Perhaps, dear,
it is because / am-jealous."
There is no one-nothing to be
jealous Of" he said, passing a hand
over his moist brow. Then he drew
nearer and took her hand in his. He
lounged again on the arm of her chair.
She leaned back and sighed contented-
ly, the smile on her red lips growing
sweeter with each breath that h
took. He felt the blood warming once
more in his veins.
For a long time they sat thus, look
ing into each others eyes without
speaking. He was trying to fathom
the mystery that lurked at the bottom
OF those smiling wells; she, on the
other hand, deluded herself with the
idea that she was reading his inner
most thoughts.
81 have been considering the advis-
ability Of sending Frederic abroad for
a year or two" said he at last.
She started. She had been far from
right in her reading. Now? This
winter?"
Yes. He has never been abroad"
Indeed? And he is half European,
too. 1t seems-forgive me, James.
Really, you know, | cannot always
keep my thoughts from slipping out.
You shouldn't expect it, dear"
II suppose 1t is only natural that
you should inquire" he said resignedly.
"Of my servants" she added point
eddy.
He flushed slightly. ~ dare say |
deserve the rebuKe. 1t will not be
necessary to pursue that line Of in
quiry, however. | shall tell you the
story myself some day, Yvonne. VIII
YOU not bear with me-"
She met the earnest appeal in his
eyes with 4 slight frown OF annoyance.
Who is to tell me the wife's side
OF the story"
The question was like a blow to him.
He stared at her as il he had not heard
Alright. Before he could speak, she
went on ccolly:
Il dare say there are two sides to
it, James. It's usually the case"
He WINGED. There is but one side
tG this one" he said, a harsh note in
his voice.
That is why I began my inquiries
with Mrs. Desmond" she said enig-
matically. But / sha'n't pursue them
any farther. You love me; that is all
[ care to know-or that | require"
81 do love you" he said, almost i'm
ploringly.
She stroked his gaunt cheek. Then
we may let the other
hang, eh?'
He felt the cold sweat start on his
brow. Her callous remark slashed his
finer sensibilities like the thrust of a
dagger. He tried to laugh, but only
succeeded in producing a painful gri-
mace.
And now" she went on, as If the
matter were fully disposed of, I'VE will
discuss something tangible, Ell? Fred
eric"
Yes" said he, rather dazedly.
Frederic"
Il am very, very fond of your son,
James," she said. How proud you
must be to have such a SON.
He eyed her narrowly. How much
OF the horrid story did she know? How
much of 1t had John Desmond told to
his wife?
Il am surprised at your liking him,
Yvonne. He is what I'd call a diff
cult young man."
" haven't found him difficult"
Morbid and unresponsive.'
Not by nature, however. There Is
a j~oyousness. a light-heartedness in
his character hat has never got be-
yond the surface until now, James,"
Until now"
Yes. And you talk of sending him
away. Why?"
"He has wanted to go abroad for
years. This is q convenient time for
him to 60"
But l am quite sure he will not
care to go at present-not for awhile,
at least"
And why not, may | ask?"
Because he is In love-
In Lowell" he exclaimed. his Jaw set
ting hard.
He is in love with Lydia"
I'll put a stop to that"
And why. may l ask7" she
mimicked.
"Because-why-" he burst out, but
Instantly collected himself. He is
not in a position to marry, that's ALL"
"Financially"
He swallowed hard. Eyes"
"Poof!" she exclaimed, Diminishing
the obstacle with a wave of her slim