The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-07-30

pened to make you 50 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 abla1e
with love.
1--WE must lever speak of-of that
again." he said, a queer note OF hoarse-
ness in his voice. Never, do you un-
derstand?" He was very much shaken.
Forgive me-" she pleaded. stretch
ing out her hand to him. Il am fool
ish, but l did not dream that | was be-
ing cruel or unkind. Perhaps, dear,
it is because l 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 c~ontented-
ly, the smile on her red lips growing
sWeeter with each breath h a she
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, l cannot always
keep my thoughts from slipping out.
You shouldn't expect 1t, dear"
Il suppose it is only natural that
you should inquire" he said resignedly.
"Of my servants she added point
eddy.
He flushed slightly. II dare say I
deserve the rebuke. 1t will not be
necessary to pursue that line Of in
quiry, however. l shall tell you the
story myself ONE day. Yvonne. Will
you not bear with me-"
She met the earnest appeal in his
eyes with a 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 If he had not heard
Alright. Before he could speak, she
went on coolly:
Il dare say there are two sides to
it, James. It's usually the case"
He WINGED. There Is but n side
to 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 l sha'nt pursue them
II farther. You love me: that is all
| care to know-or that | require"
Il do love you." he said, almost i'm
ploringly.
She strcked 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 gri-
mace.
And now she went on, as II the
matter wcro fu11y Hirroccd ~ .,,o ,rill
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 O
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?
II am surprised 1t your liking him.
Yyonne: He Is what Id call . diff
cult young man."
Il haven't found him difficult"
Morbid and unresponsive."
mot by nature, however. There is
a joyousness, 2 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 10 . convenient time for
him to co."
But l am quite sure he will not
care to 60 at present-not for awhile,
at least"
And why not, may I S ask"
Because he is In love-"
I'm love!" he exclaimed, his Jaw set
ting hard.
He is in love with Lydia"
I'll put q stop to that"
And why, may askf" she
mimicked.
"Be0ause-why-" he burst out. but
instantly collected himself. HE il
not in q position to marry, that's all"
Financially"