The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-09-24

dear.
you are mistaken | do UpSerstand
myself" she said gravely. MAY !
speak plainly. Mr.. Brood?"
Certainly. intend to speak plain
ly to you"
Frederic loves me. He does not
love Yvonne. He is fascinated. as
also am fascinated by her, and you
too Mr.. Brood. The spell has fallen
over all OF US. Let me go on. please.
You say that Frederic loves like his
father before him. That Is true. lie
loves but one woman. You love but
one woman. and she Is dead. You Will
always love her. Frederic Is like yoN-
He loves Yvonne as you DOH :
know 1t hurts! She cast her spell over
you, why not over himl Is be stronger
than you? Is 1t strange that she
should attract him as she attracted
you? You glory In her beauty, her
charm. her perfect loneliness, and yet
you love-yes love, Mr.. Brood-the
woman who was Fredeic's mother. DO
make my meaning plain? Well. SO Il
is that Frederic loves me. am con.
tent to wait. know he loves me.
Through all this, Brood stared at
her in sheer establishment. He had no
feeling Of anger. no resentment. no
thought Of protest
"You--you astound me. Lydia 10
this your own impression or has It
been suggested to you by-by an
other?"
u am only agreeing with you when
you say that he loves as his father
loved before him-but not lightly, An.
not lightly, Mr.. Brood"
You don't know what you are say.
, ing" he muttered
"Oh. yes, do" she cried earnestly.
you invite my opinion: ! trust ron
will accept 1t for what II Is worth. Be
fore you utter another word against
Frederic, let me remind you that I
have known both OF you for a long.
long time. IN all the years ] have
been In this house, have never klowo
you to grant him tender, loving
word. My heart has ached toI him.
There have been times when | almost
hated you. He feels your neglect
your harshness. .your-your cruelty
| He" -
Cruelty"
1T is nothing less. You do not Tho
him. cannot understand why you
should treat him as you do. He shrinks
frorl you. Is II right, Mr.. Brood, thai
son should shrink from his father as
dog cringes at the voice Of an un
kind master? might be able TO ,uns
derstand. your attitude toward him II
your unkindness was Of recent origin.
but"
"Recent origin?" he demanded
quickly.
III II had begun with the advent "
Mrs. Brood" she explained frankly,
undismayed by his scowl. Il do net
understand oil that has gone before. Is
II surprising, MIR. Brood. that your
son finds 1t difficult to love you? Do
you deserve" I
Brood stepped her with a gesture on
his hand. )
The time has come for frankT ess
on my part. You set me an example,
Lydia. You have the courage OF your
father. For months have had II IL
my mind to tell you the truth about
Frederic. but my courage has always
failed me. Perhaps ! use the wrong
word. 1t may be something very I'M.
like cowardice that has held me htck
am going to put a direct question ts
you first Of all, and / ask you TO ON.
swer truthfully. Would you say that.
Frederic is like that IS, resembles hisl
fatherf" He was leaning forward. hia
manner intense.
Lydia was surprised. What an odd
thing TO say! or course be resemblef
his father have never seen a por
trait OF his mother. but"
You mean that he looks like mer
demanded brood.
when be is angry he Is very much
like you, Mr.. Brood. have often won
dered why he Is unlike you at othei
times. Now know. He Is like HE
mother. She must have been lovely.
gentle, patient"
Wait! Suppose were to tell y0J
that Frederic Is not my son."
i should not believe you. Mr.
Brood" she replied fatty. What is n
that you are trying to say to me?"
"Will you understand II say to yen
that-Frederic is not my SOM"
Her eyes filed with horror. "IIox
can you say such a thing. Mr.. BrooGr
He Is your son. How can you say"
"His father was the man who wrote
the accused waltz he has Just been
playingl Could there be anythIpr
more devilish than the conviction &
carries! After all these years. he--"
stop. Mr. Brood"
Il am sorry II hurt you. Lydia Ycu
have asked me why hate him. Need
say anything more7"
Il do not believe al that you have
told me. lie 10 your son. lie is. n.
Brood"
4 would 10 God ! could believe
that" he cried. In q voice Of agony. \
would to God Il were frne-