The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-11-12

FGCSlV6u IIOm you. nope Ill never
see you again. II | ever have a son
III 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 a son. | wish
to God had never been obliged to call
! you father. ! don't know what you
did to my mother, but If 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
ritied. 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 a 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-
mond's 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.
q 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. have
been waiting, too-waiting as you are
waiting now-to comfort Frederic
when he comes out Of that room g
wreck"
Mrs. Desmond started up, an tncred
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 kline
Of woman I am. You never will know
Yes, shall take sides with Frederic.
"You do not love your husband
A strange, unfathomable smile cam
into Yvonne's face and stayed there
Mrs. Desmond experienced the sam
odd feeling she had had years ago o.
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 ar
swer to the challenge.
| A door slammed in the upper RI
, gions Of the house. Both women star
h ed to their feet.
"It is over" breathed Yvonne. wit
: tremulous sigh.
1--WE shall see how we'll they wer
able to take care Of themselves, Mrs.
Brood" said Mrs. Desmond in a lo'
voice.
eve shall see-yes," said the othel
mechanically. Suddenly she turne
on the tall. accusing figure beside he
Go away! Go now! I comman
you to CO. This Is our affair, Mr.
Desmond. You are not needed here
You were too late, as you say. be
Of you, go!" She strobe swift
toward the door. AS she was abou
to place her hand on the knob it wa
opened from the other side, and Raj
lab stood before them.
"Sahib begs to be excused, Mrs. De
mond. He is just going out"
: Going out?" cried Yvonne, who ha
- shrunk back into the room.
Eyes, sahibah. You will please e,
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 question in hers. +
u did not speak, but she read the answt
as If 1t we're on a printed page. HI
shoulders dropped.
- She went back to Lydia,