The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-09-24

sensing of danger that more than once
he had experienced in the silent, tran.
quill depths of great forests.
Il wonder what could have hap
pened 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, Yvonne!" he cried, an
angry light jumping into his eyes-the
eyes that so recently had been ablaze
with love.
1--WE must never speak of-of that
again, he said, a queer note of hoarse-
ness in his voice. Never, do you IN
derstand?" He was very much shaken.
Forgive me-" she pleaded, stretch
ing out her hand to him. q am fool
ish, but did not dream that was be-
ing cruel or unkind. Perhaps, dear,
1t Is because l am-jealous"
There is no one-nothing to be
Jealous Of" he said, passing 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 she
took. He felt the blood warming once
more in his veins.
For 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
year or two" said he at last.
She started. She had been far from
right In her reading. Nov? This
winter?"
Eyes. 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 1t. dear"
II suppose 1t is only natural that
you should inquire" he said resignedly.
"Of my servants" she added point.
eddy.
He flushed slightly. 81 dare say
deserve the rebuke. It will not be
necessary to pursue that line of in
quiry, however. l shall tell you the
story myself some day. Yvonne. VIII
you not bear with me?"
She met the earnest appeal in his
eyes with slight frowt1 of annoyance.
'Who is to tell me the wife's side
Of the story?"
The question was like blow to him.
He stared at her as if he had not heard
Alright. Before he could speak, she
went on coolly:
81 dare say there are two sides to
it, James. It's usually the case"
He WINGED. There is but one side
to this one," he said, harsh note in
| his voice.
THAT is why I began my inquiries
with Mrs. Desmond" she said enig-
matically. "But l sha'n't pursue them
any farther. You love me; that is all
care to know-or that l require"
81 do love you," he said, almost i'm.
ploringly.
She stroked his gaunt cheek, Then
we may let the other woman-go
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 girl
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"
81 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 it had John Desmond told to
his wife?
81 am surprised at your liking him,
Yvonne. He is what I'd call diff
cult young man."
Il haven't found him difficult"
Morbid and unresponsive."
Not by nature, however. There Is
a joyousness, light-heartedness in
his character that has never got be-
yond the surface until now, James,"
Until now?"
eyes. And you talk of sending him
away. Why?"
HE has wanted to go abroad for
years. This Is convenient time for
him to CO."
"But / 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-"