The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-05-21
CHAPTER lx-Continued.

AZ oouANo ~
III he waits long enough you may
discover that you love him and his go
ing would give you infinite pain. Then
is the time for him to CO."
Good heavens!" he cried, in aston
fshment. What a remarkable notion
Of the fitness"
THAT will be his chance to repay
you for all that you have done for him,
James," said she, as calm as a May
morning.
by jove, you are a puzzle to mel"
he exclaimed, and a fino moisture
came out on his forehead.
Let the boy alone, James," she
went on earnestly. "He is"
See here, Yvonne," he broke in
sternly, that is a matter we can't dis.
cuss. You do not understand, and l
cannot explain certain things to you. l
came here just nov to ask you to be
fair to him, even though may not ap-
pear to be. You are"
THAT is also a matter we cannot
discuss" said she calmly.
"'But 1t is a thing we are going to
discuss, just the same" said he. "Sit
down, my dear, and listen to what l
have to say. Sit down."
For a moment she faced him defiant
iy. He was no longer angry, and there
in lay the strength that opposed her.
She could have held her own with
him if he had maintained the angry at
titude that marked the beginning of
their interview. AS it was, her eyes
fell after a brief struggle against the
dominant power in his, and she
oheyed, but not without a significant
tribute to his superiority In the shape
OF an indignant shrug.
He took one of her hands in his, and
stroked it gently, even patiently. ~
will come straight to the point. Fred
eric Is falling in love with you. Wait!
do not blame him. He cannot help
himself. No more could l. for that
matter, and he has youth, which is a
spur that have lost. | have watched
him, Yvonne. He is-to put it cold
bloodedly-losing his head. Leaving
me out of the question altogether if
you choose. do you think you are
quite fair to him? | am not disturbed
on your account or my own, but-well.
can't you see what a cruel position we
are likely to find ourselves"
Just a moment, James," she inter.
rupted, sitting up very straight in the
chair and meeting his gaze ~steadfast-
ay. VIII you spare me the conjectures
and come straight to the point. as YOU
have SAID"
He turned a shade paler. WELL" he
began deliberately, ut comes to this.
my dear: One or the other of you will
have to leave my house If this thing
goes on"
She shot a glance of i~ncredulity at
his set face. Her body became rigid.
"You would serve me as you served
his real mother. more than twenty
years ago%
"The cases are not parallel" said he,
wincing.
"You drove her out Of your house,
James"
II have said that we cannot dis.
cuss-"
"But choose to discuss It." she
said firmly. The truth. please. You
drove her out?"
"she made her bed. Yvonne," said
he huskily.
did she leave you cheerfully. glad.
ay. as ] would 60 II | loved another. or
did she plead with you-oh, l know II
hurts! Did she plead with you to give
her a chance to explain? Did she?"
"She was on her knees to me-" be
grated. the veins standing out on hia
temples.
Yvonne arose. She stood over him
like an accusing angel.
"And to this day. James Brood-to
this very hour. you are not certain
that you did right in casting her off"
Il tell you. ! was ~certain-I was sure
ee-"