The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-06-25

in an ecstasy of triumph. She was
convinced that he would 90, La
Provence"
Good God in heaven" he Easped
dropping suddenly into a chair and
burying his face in his shaking hands
what will this mean to Lyda-What
will she d0--What will become Of herr
A culver of pain crossed the WON
ans face. her eyelids fell as if to shut
out something that shamed her in
spite of all her yaingIoriouS prOtesta-
lions. Then the spirit Of cxatation re
sumed its sway.
You cannot marry Lydia now" she
said, affecting a sharpness Of tone that
caused him to shrink invoMntarily. 1T
is your duty to write her a letter to-
night, explaining all that has hap
pcncd today She would sacrifice her
self for you today, but there is-tO-
morrow! A thousand tOmOrrows, Fred
eric. Don't forget them, my dear.
They would be ugly after ALL and she
is too good, too fine t. be dragged
into"
you are right" he exclaimed, leap
ing to his feet ut would lie the Vilest
act that man could perpetrate.
Why-why it would be proof of what
he says Of met would stamp me
forever the bastard he-NO, no, could
never lift my head again if | We're to
do this utterly vile thing to Lydia. He
said to me here-nOt an hour ago
that he expected me to go ahead and
blight that loyal girls life, that |
would consider it a noble means Of
self.justitication What do you think
of that? He But wait! What is
this that we are proposing TO do?
Give me time to think, Why-why,
can't take you away from him,
Yvonne. God in heaven, what am
thinking of? Have | no sense Of
honor? Am /"
You are not his son." she said,
significantly.
But that is no reason why should
stoop to foul trick like this. Do
do you know what you are suggest
ing?" He drew back from her with a
look of disgust in his eyes. mo! I'm
not that vile! L"
Frederic, you must let me-"
81 don't want to hear anything
more, Yvonne. What manner of wom-
an are you? He is your husband, he
loves you, he trusts you-oh, yes, he
does! And you would leave him like
this? You would"
flush! Not so loud" she cried, in
great agitation.
And let me tell you something
more. Although | can never marry
Lydia, by heaven, l shall love her to
the end of my life. l will not betray
that love- To the end of time she shall
know that my love for her is real and
true and"
wait! Give me time to think" she
pleaded. He shook his head reso'
lutely. do not Judge me too harshly
Hear what have to say before you
condemn me. / am not the vile crea
ture you think, Frederic. Wait! Lei
me think"
He stared at her for a moment In
deep perplexity, and then slowly drew
near. II do not believe you mean to
do wrong-I do not believe it OF you
You have been carried away by some
horrible"
Listen to me-" she broke in, fierce
ly. 81 would have sacrificed you-ay
sacrificed you, poor boy-for the Joy
it would give me to see James Brood
grovel In misery for the rest OF his
life. OH" She uttered a groan OF
despair and self-loathing so deep and
full of pain that his heart was chilled
Good Lord, Yvonne!' he gasped
dumfounded.
DO not come near me- she crie0
out, covering her face with her hands
For full minute she stood before him
straight and rigid as a statue, tragic
figure he was never to forget Sud
denly she lowered her hands. To his
surprise, smile was on her lips. You
would never have gone away with me
know it now. All these months
have been counting on you for TINS
very hour-this eliminating hour-anc
now ! realize how little hope ! have
really had, even from the beginning
You are honorable. There have beer
times when my influence over you wa:
such that you resisted only because
you were loyal to yourself-not tt
Lydia, not to my husband-but II
yourself. | came to this house will
but one purpose in mind. / came herr
to take you away from the man WHIT
has always stood as your father.
would not have become your mistress
-pah! how Ioathsome 1t sounds! Blu
would have enticed you away. be
lieving myself to be justified. woul'
have struck James Brood that blow
He would have gone to his grave be
lieving himself to have been paid II
full by the son of the woman he ha,
degraded, by the boy he had reare'
for the slaughter, by the blood"
an Gods name, Yvonne, what 1
this you are saying? What have yo'