The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-03-13


Mr.. Brood. in the jade-room In your
last letter you instructed her to finish
that
but this is holiday, Mrs. Des
mond" said he. frowning. Jones
will you ask Miss Lydia 70 join us for
tea ak half-past four?"
You will adore Lydia. said Fred
eric 10 Mrs. Brood
Apparently she did not hear him,
for she gave no sign. She was look.
Ing about the room with eyes that
seemed 10 take In everything.
II am sure shall be very happy in
this dear old house." she said quietly.
Your own mother must have loved IL.
Frederic"
James Brood started. Unnotlced by
the others, his fingers frightened Oh
the gloves he carried in his hand.
! never knew my mother" said
the young man. She died when |
was a baby
But Of course this was her home,
was Il not?"
II don't know" said Frederic. un.
comfortably Il suppose so. IL came
here few years ago and"
But even though you never knew
her there must still be something
here that-that-how shall I say II?
mean, you must feel that she and
you were here together years and
years ago. One may never. have seen
his mother. yet he can always feel
her There is something-shall say
spiritual--in--"
Her husband broke in upon these
unwelcome reflections. His voice was
curiously harsh.
Mrs. Desmond is waiting, Yvonne."
She drew herself up. Are you in
such great haste, Mrs. Desmond?" she
asked in a voice that cut like a knife.
lnstinctively. she glanced at Fred
cries face. She saw the muscles OF
the Jaw harden and an angry light
leap into his eyes, Instantly her AFRO
gance fell away Il beg your pardon,
Mrs. Desmond. I have many bad hab-
It's. Now will you kindly show me
TO my room? prefer that you and
not or the servants should be my
guide. Au revoir. Frederic. Till tea
time, James"
Her eyes were sparkling, her husky
voice once more full Of the appealing
quality that could not be denied. The
flush of injured pride faded from Mrs.
Desmond's brow. and q faint look OF
surprise crept into her eyes. To her
further amazement. the younger won.
an laid hand upon her arm and gave
II a gentle, friendly pressure.
The men watched them in silence as |
they left the room, side by side. A
moment later they heard the soft |
laughter of the two women as they |
mounted the stairs together.
Frederic drew a long breath.
She's splendid, father" he said,
impulsively.
Brood's face was still ciouded. He |
did not respond TO the eager tribute.
Father and son faced each other
They were striking pair, each in
his way an example OF fine, clean
manhood. The father was taller by
couple OF inches than the son. and yet
Frederic was nearly six feet In his
stockings. Both were spare men,
erect and gracefully proportional.
Brood gave out the impression OF
great strength. of steel sinews, of In.
vlncible power; Frederic did not sug.
gest physical strength. and yet he was
a clean-limbed, wellbuilt fellow. lie
had q fine head, a slim body whose
every movement proclaimed nervous
energy, and face that denoted TEN.
permanent OF the most pronounced
character. II was not strong face.
nor was II weak; IL represented char
ncter without force.
On the other hand. Jaukes Brood's
lean. handsome face was full OF
power. His gray eyes we're keen,
steady, compelling and seldom alight
with warmth. His Jaw was firm,
square, resolute. and the lines that
sank heavily into the flesh I'm HIS
cheeks were put there not by age but
by the very vigor OF manhood. His
hair was quite gray.
Frederic waited for his father TO
speak. But James Brood had moth.
Ing TO say. "She Is very attractive,
father" said the young man at last,
almost wistfully. He did not realize
L. but he was cropping for sympathy.
Brood had been In the house for
quarter OF an hour, after an absence
OF nearly year, yet his greeting had
been cold, casual. matter-offact. Fred
eric expected little more than that;
Htlll he felt in vague way that now.
II never again, the ice Of reserve
might be broken between them II
only for a moment He was ready and
willing 70 do his part.
Brood was studying the young mans
face with an intensity that for the
moment disconnected him. lie seemed
bent on fixing certain features In his
minds eye, as IL his memory had once
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