The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-07-23
They we're aIona in his room. +
squared his shoulders.


not come. Brood was regarding him
with eyes from which every spark Of
compassion had disappeared. We'll.
1t may interest you to know that in
tend to marry Lydia this very day"
Brood advanced few steps toward
him In the subdued light Of the room
his features were not clearly dis
tinguishable. His face was gray and
shadow; only the eyes we're sharply
defined. They glowed like points OF
light, unflickering.
II shall be sorry for Lydia" he said
levelly.
you needn't be-" said Frederic hot
ly. "She understands everything"
"Have you told her that you love her
and no one else?"
Certainly"
Then you have lied to her."
There was silence-tense silence.
do you expect me to strike you for
that" came at last from Frederios
lips, low and menacing.
you have always considered your
self to be my son, haven't your pur-
sued Brood deliberately. Can you say
to me that you have behaved Of late as
son should"
wait! Well settle that point right
now. did lose my head. Head, say
, not heart. shan't attempt to explain
i can't, for that matter. AS for
Yvonne-well, she's as good as gold.
She understands me better than I'M
derstand myself She knows that even
honest men lose their heads some
times. l can say to you now that |
would sooner have cut my own throat
than to do more than envy you the
possession Of one you do not de-
serve. have considered myself
your son. l have no apology to make
for my-we'll call 1t infatuation.
shall only admit that 1t has existed
and that l have despaired. AS God Is
my witness, have never loved any
one but Lydia. have given her pain,
and the amazing part Of 1t is that l
can't help myself Naturally, you can't
understand what 1t all means. You are
not a young man any longer. You
cannot understand"
Good God!" burst from Brood's lips.
Then he laughed aloud-grotesquely,
"Yvonne is the most wonderful thing
that has ever come into my life. l
adored her the instant l saw her. l
have felt sometimes that knew her a
thousand years ago. have felt that
l loved her thousand years ago." A
calm seriousness now attended his
speech, in direct contrast to the violent
mood that had gone before. 81 have
thought Of little else but her. / con-
fess 1t to you. But through 1t all there
has never been an instant in which l
did not worship Lydia Desmond. +
l do not pretend to account for 1t. It
is beyond me"
Brood waited patiently to the end.
your mother before you had some
what similar affection" he said. still
in the steady, repressed voice. Per
haps 1t is a gift-a convenient gift
this ability to worship without effort
Better leave my mother out of 1t"
said Frederic sarcastically. A look OF
wonder leaped to his eyes, That's
the first time you've condescended to
acknowledge that l ever had q
mother"
Brood's smile was deadly. IF you
have anything more to say to me, you
,, would better get 1t over with. Purge
your soul of all the gall that embitters
it. l grant you that privilege. Take
your innings"
A spasm Of pain crossed Frederic's
face. "Yes, l am entitled to my In
nings. I'll go back to what said down
stairs. thought loved and bonored
you last night I would have forgiven
everything II you had granted me
friendly-friendly, that's ADJUST 9
friendly word. You denied"
II suppose you want me to believe
that it was love for me that brought
. you sinking to the theater." said the
other ironically.
: 81 don't expect you to believe any
= thing. l was lonely. l wanted to b.
with you and Yvonne. Can't you I'm
derstand how lonely I've been all m!
life? Can't you understand how hun
cry am for the affection that ever!
other boy I've known has had from hi
parents? I've never asked you abou
my mother. l used to wonder a goot
deal. Every other boy had a mother.
never had one. couldn't understand
= l no longer wonder. know now tina
> she must have hated you with all tn
- strength of her soul. God, how sh
- must have hated to feel the touch Q
y your hands upon her body! Somethin
9 tells me she left you. and If she did,
81 hone she afterwards found someon
who-but no, won't say it. Even nov
- I haven't the heart to hurt you by sa!
IT, ing that" He stopped. choking u
u with the rush of bitter words. "Wel
" why don't you say something?"
I'm giving you your innings G
7e on?" said Brood softly.
b. "She must have loved you once
ye che u,ouldn't have married VOL Sb