The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-03-07

She seemed TO shrink down farther
in the chair.
"Why?" she asked, an insistent note
in her voice.
1T isn't necessary to explain" He
walked away from her to the window,
and stood looking out over the bleak
little courtyard. Neither spoke fol
many minutes, and yet he knew that
her questioning gaze was upon him
and that when he turned to her again
she would ask still another question.
| He tried to think OF something to say
| that would turn her away from this
| hated subject.
Isn't it time for you to dress, dear
est? The Cummings live pretty far up
north and the going will be bad with
Fifth avenue piled up with snow"
Doesn't Frederic ever mention his
mothers name?" came the question
that he feared before it was uttered.
Il am not certain that he knows her
name" said he levelly. The knuckles
Of his hands, clenched tightly behind
his back, we're white. He has never
| heard me utter it,"
She looked at him darkly. There
was something in her eyes that caused
him to shift his own steady gaze un-
comfortably. He could not have ex-
planned what it was, but it gave him a
| curlously uneasy feeling, as Of i'm
pending peril. 1t was not unlike the
/ ;vI,y,.rfn. 4hnpyh 1aEvftn
sensing Of danger that more than once
he had experienced in the silent, tran
quill depths OF great forests.
u wonder what could have hap
pened to make you so bitter toward
her" she went on, still watching him
through half closed eyes. Was she
unfaithful to you? Was"
Good Cod Yvonne!" he cried, an
angry light jumping into his eyes-the
eyes that so recently had been ablaze
with love.
We must never speak of-of that
again" he said, a 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,
it is because | am-jealous."
There is no one-nothing to be
jealous Of" he said, passing a hand
over his moist brow. Then he drew
nearer and took her hand in his. He
| iounged 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 a 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.
81 have been considering the advis-
ability of sending Frederic abroad for
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, | 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. 81 dare say
deserve the rebuke. It will not be
necessary to pursue that line of in
quiry, however. / shall tell you the
story myself some day, Yvonne. VIII
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 wife's 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
weot on coolly:
Il 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 shan't pursue them
any farther You love me; that is all
care to know-or that | require"
81 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 |