The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-07-23


received from you. I hope IN never
see you again. II ever have son
I'll not treat him as you've treated
your son. BY God, you don't deserve
the honor Of being called father. You
don't deserve to have son. wish
to God had never been obliged to call
you father. / don't know what you
did to my mother, but II you treated
her as Just then my husband found
his voice. He sprang to his feet, and
I've never seen such look of rage
thought he was going to strike Fred
eric and / think screamed-just a
little scream, Of course. ! was so ter
rified. But he only said-and 1t was
horrible the way he said it-'You fool
you bastard!' And Frederic laughed
in his face and cried out, unafraid, I'm
glad you call me bastard! BY GOD,
I'd rather be one than to be your son,
1t would at least give me something
to be proud ola real father"
Good heaven!" fell from Mrs Des-
monds white lips.
Yvonne seemed to have paused to
catch her breath. Her breast heaved
convulsively, the grip of her hands
frightened on the arms OF the chair
Suddenly she resumed her recital, but
her voice was hoarse and tremulous'
81 was terribly frightened. ! thought
of calling out to Jones, but II had
no voice! All, you have never seen two
angry men waiting to spring at each
others threats, Mrs. Desmond. My
husband suddenly regained control OF
himself, He was very calm. Come
with me- he said to Frederic. This
is not the place to wash our filthy
family linen. You say you want some
thing to be proud of. Well, you shall
have your wish. Come to my study.
And they went away together, neither
speaking a word to me-they did not
even glance in my direction. They
went up the stairs. heard the door
close behind them-away up there
That was half an hour ago. l have
been waiting, too-waiting as you are
waiting now-to comfort Frederic
when he comes out Of that room
wreck"
Mrs. Desmond started up, an incred
ulous look in her eyes.
you are taking his side? You are
against your husband? Oh, now
know the kind of woman you are.
know"
Peace! You do not know the kint
Of woman am. You never will know
Yes, / shall take sides. with Frederic
"You do not love your husband!
A strange, unfathomable smile CANT
into Yvonne's face and stayed there
Mrs. Desmond experienced the sam'
odd feeling she had had years ago oil
first seeing the Sphinx. She was sud
denly confronted by an unsolvabl'
mystery.
HE shall not drive me out of hi
house, Mrs. Desmond" was her an
swer to the challenge.
A door slammed in the upper re
gions of the house. Both women start
ed to their feet.
at is over" breathed Yvonne, will
tremulous sigh.
I'VE shall see how well they wer
able to take care of themselves, Mrs
Brood" said Mrs. Desmond in a loI
voice.
I'VE shall see-yes," said the Other
mechanically. Suddenly she turne
on the tall, accusing figure beside hel
60 away! Go now! comman
you to go. This is our affair, Mrt
Desmond. You are not needed here
You were too late, as you say. / be-
Of you, got" She strobe swift
toward the door. AS she was abou
to place her hand on the knob 1t wa
opened from the other side, and Rar
jab stood before them.
"Sahib begs to be excused, Mrs. Des
mond. He is Just going out"
Going out2" cried Yyonpe, who ha
: shrunk back into the room.
Eyes, sahibah. You will please e1
cuse. Mrs. Desmond. He regret yer
much"
Mrs. Desmond passed slowly throug
the door, which he held open for he
" AS she passed by the Hindu she locke
: full into his dark, expressive eye
and there was a question in hers. H
did not speak, but she read the answe
as II it were on a printed page. He
shoulders dropped.
She went back to Lydia.
D CHAPTER XVI.