The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-06-05
CHAPTER xIii-continued.

Lydia resolved to take the plunge.
Now was the time to speak plainly to
this woman Of the thing that was hurt
ing her almost beyond the limits Of
endurance. Her voice was rather high
pitched. She had the fear that she
would not be able to control 1t.
Il should be blind not to have OBJ
served the cruel position in which you
are placing Frederic. Is it surprising
that your husband has eyes as well as
q? What must be his thoughts, Mrs.
Brood?"
She expected an outburst torrent
OF Indignation, an angry storm Of
words, and was therefore unprepared
Tor the piteous. hunted expression that
came swiftly into the lovely eyes, bent
90 appealingly upon her own. which
were cold and accusing. Here was a
new phase to this extraordinary crea-
fure's character. She was a coward.
after all. and Lydia despised coward.
The look Of scorn deepened in her
eyes. and out from her heart rushed
all that was soft and tender In her
nature. leaving 1t barren of all com.
passion.
Il do not want to hurt Frederic"
murmured Yvonne. IL am sorry
If"
You are hurting him dreadfully,"
said Lydia. suddenly choking up with
emotion.
He is not-not in love with me-"
declared Yvonne.
NO." said the girl, regaining con-
troll Of herself, he is not In love with
you. That IL the whole trouble. He
ID In love with me. But-can't you
sect"
You are a wise young woman to
know men 80 WELL" said the other
systematically. II have never believed
In st. Anthony"
Nor l." said Lydia, and was sur.
prised at herself.
DO you consider me to be a bad
woman. Lydia?" Her lips trembled.
There was suspicious culver to her
chin.
mo. do not" pronounced the girl
datly. IF could only think that of
you It would explain everything and
Z should know just how to treat you. |
But ! do not think It Of YOU"
With long, deep sigh, Yvonne crept
closer and laid her head against Lyd.
1a's shoulder. The girls body stiff. |
dened. her brow grew dark with an.
noyance.
Il am afraid you do not understand,
Mrs. Brood. The fact still remains
that you have not considered Fred. |
cries peace of mind"
Nor yours" murmured the other. |
abjectly.
Nor mine." confessed Lydia. after |
= moment.
7 did not know that you and Fred |
eric were In love with each other until |
had been here for some time," Mrs. |
Brood explained. suddenly fretful.
What kind of a woman are your"
burst from Lydia's indignant soul. |
Have you no conception of the finer,
nobler-"
Yvonne deliberately put her hand
over the girls lips. checking the fierce
outburst. She smiled rather plain.
lively as Lydia tried to jerk her head
10 one side in order to continue her
reckless Indictment.
You shall not say It, Lydia. I am
,ot all that you think am. No. no.
thousand times no. God pity me,
I'm more accursed than you may think
With the finer and nobler instinct. II
were not so. do you think I should
70 where l am now?-cringing here
Ike beaten child? No. you cannot
lnderstand-you never will under.
tand. shall say no more. II ia
'nded. ! swear on my soul that
10 not know you we're Frederic's
] did not know"
But you knew almost Immediately
fter you came here" exclaimed
.ydia harshly. 1T is not myself I