The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-05-08

WNtu IAiutn Rttto ~AtN 49, -
left the dinlng-room nearly an hour
prior 10 the departure OF Mrs. Des'
mond. there was In the mind OF each
the resolution TO make short work OF
the coming interview Each knew that
the time had arrived for the parting
OF the ways. and neither had the least
desire TO prolong the suspense.
The study door was closed James
Brood put his hand on the knob, but,
before turning II. faced the young man
with an odd mixture OF anger and pity
In his eyes.
Perhaps II would be better II we
had nothing more TO say 70 each 9th
err" he said. with an effort. II have
changed my mind cannot say the
thing to you that r."
Has II got anything TO do with
Yvonne and mee' demanded Frsderlc
rsthlessly, jumping at conclusions In
his new-foand arrogance,
Brood threw open the door Step
inside" he said IN a voice that should
have warned the younger man. II was
A
had touched the open sore with that
unhappy question. Not until this In
slant had James Brood admitted TO
himself that there was sore and that
II had been fostering all these weeks
Now II was laid bare and smarted with
pain. Nothing could save Frederic
after that reckless, deliberate thrust
at the very core OF the malignant
growth that lay so near the surface.
II had been in James Brood's heart
10 spare the boy.
Hot words were on Frcderics lips.
They we're alone IN his room. lie
squared his shoulders.
II suppose you think am In love
with her" he said delantly. He waited
n moment for the response that did
not come. Brood was regarding him
with eyes from which every spark of
compassion had disappeared We'll,
II may interest YOU to know that In
tend to marry Lydia this very day"
Brood advanced a few steps toward
him. In the subdued light OF the room
his features we're not clearly dis
tnguishable. His face was gray and
shadow; only the eyes were sharply
defined. They giossd like points Of
light, unnickerins.
! ghall be sorry scr Lyo4s." he s~sd
You needn't be-" said Frederic hot
ly. She understands everything"
Have you told her that you love her
and no one else?" ~
.Certaiply!" =
Then you haYe He'd to her"
There was silence-tenee silence.
DO you expect me to strike you for
that7" came at last from Frederic's
lips. low and menacing
You have always considered your
self 70 be my son. haven't your" pur-
sued Brood deliberately. Can you say
to me that you have behaved OF late as
a son should"
WAIT! Wen settle that point right
now. did lose my head Head. say.
not heart. shan't attempt to explain
- can't, for that matter AS for
Yvonne-well, she's as good as gold.
She understands me better than ! un-
derstand myself. She knows that even
honest men lose their heads some
times. | can say 10 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. have no apology TO make
for my-we1l call It infatuation. !
shall only admit that Il has existed
and that I have despaired. AS God Is
my witness. I have never loved any
one but Lydia. have given her pals,
and the amazing part OF Il Is that
cant help myself Naturally, you can't |
what II all means. You are
not q young man any longer. You |
cannot understand"
Good Cod" burst from Brood's lips. |
Then he laughed grotesquely. |
"Yvonne Is the most wonderful thing
that has ever come into my life. /
adored her the instant saw her
have felt sometimes that knew her a |
thousand years ago. have felt that |
/ loved her thousand years ago" A
calm seriousness now attended HIS |
speech. in direct contrast to the violent
mood that had gone before. II have
thought of little else but her l con
fess II to you. But through II all there
has never been an instant in which /
did not worship Lydia Desmond. I
! do not pretend TO account for It. II
is beyond me"
Brood waited patiently 10 tho end.
Your mother before you had a some
what similar afiiction," he said. atill
In tho steady. repressed voice. Per
haps II is gift--a convenient gift
this ability to worship without effort"
Better leave my mother out OF Il"
said Frederic sarcastIcally. A look ~
wonder leaped to his eyes. That's
the first time you've condercended 10 4