The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-04-08


with love.
I'VE must never speak of-of that
again" he said, 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 did not dream that was be-
ing cruel or unkind. Perhaps, dear.
1t is because ! am-jealous."
There is no one-nothing to be
Jealous Of" he said, passing 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 contented-
ly, the smile on her red lips growing
sweeter with each breath that she
took. He felt the blood warming once
more in his veins.
For 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.
Il have been considering the adYis-
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. Nov? 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 it, dear"
Il suppose it is only natural that
you should inquire" he said resignedly.
"Of my servants" she added point
edly.
He flushed slightly. II dare say
deserve the Eebuke. 1t will not be
necessary to pursue that line of in
quiry, however. / shall tell you the
story myself some 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 wifes side
of the story?"
The question was like blow to him.
He stared at her as if he had not heard
Alright. Before he could speak, she
went on Coolly;
II dare say there are two sides to
it, James. It's usually the case"
He WINGED. There is but one side
to this one" he said, harsh note in
his voice.
THAT is why began my inquiries
with Mrs. Desmond" she said enig-
matically. But / sha'n't pursue them
any farther. You love me; that is all
l care to know-or that require"
Il do love you," he said, almost i'm
ploringly.
She stroked 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 If the
matter were fully disposed Of, I'VE will
discuss something tangible, eh? Fred
eric"
"Yes," said he, rather dazedly.
Frederic"
81 am very, very fond of your son,
James," she said. How proud you
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?
81 am surprised at your liking him,
Yvonne. He is what I'd call diff.
cult young man."
81 haven't found him difficult"
Morbid and unresponsive."
mot by nature, however. There is
a joyousness, 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 is a convenient time for
him to CO."
But l am quite sure he will not
care to go at present-not for awhile
at least"
"And why not, may ask?"
Because he Is in love-"
'In Lowell" he exclaimed, his jaw set
ting hard.
HE is in love with Lydia"
"I1l put stop to that!"
"And why, may ask?" she
mimicked.
BeCause-why-" he burst out, but
instantly collected himself "He ia
not in a position to marry, that's ALL"
"Financially?"
He swallowed hard. YES"
"Poof!" she exclaimed, dismissinR
the obstacle with q wave of her slim
hand. "A cigarette, please. There IL
another reason why he shouldn't go
an excellent one"
1.-THE reason you've already given II
sufficient to convince me that he ought
to 20 at once. What is the other one
pray?"
She lighted the cigarette from thu
match he held. What would you say
If / were to tell you that I object tt
his going away-at PRESENT."
81 should ask the very obvious queN
ton"
Because like him, want him t[
like me, and l shall be very lonely
without him." she answered calmly.
"You" he cried. why, YOU'VE
never known anything but"
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