The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-06-12

received from you. 1 hope IN never
see you again. II ever have a son
I'll not treat him as you've treated
your SON By God, you don't deserve
the honor Of being called father You
don't deserve to have q son l wish
to God had never been obliged to call
you father. I don't know what you
did to my mother, but if you treated
her as Just then my husband found
his voice. He sprang to his feet, and
I've never seen such a look of rage
I thought he was going to strike Fred
eric and I think 1 screamed a
little scream, of course. was so ter
rified. But he only said-and it was
horrible the way he said it-'You fool
you BASTARD And Frederic laughed
in his face and cried out, unafraid, I'm
glad you call me a bastard! By God
I'd rather be one than to be your SON.
It would at least give me something
to be proud ola real father"
Good heavenI" fell from Mrs. Des-
mond's white lips.
Yvonne seemed to have paused to
catch her breath Her breast heaved
convulsively, the grip Of her hands
frightened on the arms of the chair.
Suddenly she resumed her recital, but
her voice was hoarse and tremulous-
81 was terribly frightened. I thought
of calling out to Jones, but II had
no Voicei All, you have never seen two
angry men waiting to spring at each
| others threats, Mrs. Desmond. Ny
| husband suddenly regained control Of
! himself. He was very calm. Come
with me- he said to Frederic. This
| is not the place to wash our filthy
| family linen. You say you want some
| thing to be proud of. Well, you shall
have your wish. Come to my study
And they went away together, neither
! speaking a word to me-they did not
even glance in my direction. They
went up the stairs. 1 heard the door
close behind them-away up there.
That was half an hour ago. 1 have
been waiting, too-waiting as you are
waiting now-to comfort Frederic
when he comes out of that room a
wreck"
Mrs. Desmond started up, an incred-
ulous look in her eyes.
You are taking his side? You are
against your husband? Oh, now
know the kind of woman you are
know"
Peace! You do not know the kind
of woman I am. You never will know.
Yes, shall take sides with Frederic. u
You do not love your husband"
A strange, unfathomable smile came
into Yvonne's face and stayed there
Mrs. Desmond experienced the same
odd feeling she had had years ago on
first seeing the Sphinx. She was sud
denly confronted by an unsolvable
mystery.
HE shall not drive me out OF his
house, Mrs. Desmond" was her an
swer to the challenge.
A door slammed in the upper re
gions Of the house. Both women start
ed to their feet.
ct is over" breathed Yvonne. with
a tremulous sigh.
I've shall see how well they were
able to take care Of themselves. Mrs
Brood" said Mrs. Desmond In a low
voice.
I'VE shall see-yes,' said the other
mechanically. Suddenly she turned
on the tall, accusing figure beside her
GO away! Go now! I command
you to go. This is our affair, Mrs
Desmond. You are not needed here
You were too late, as you say. 1 beg
Of you, go!" She strobe swiftly
toward the door. As she was about
to place her hand on the knob it was
opened from the other side, and Ran
iab stood before them
"Sahib begs to be excused, Mrs. Des
mond. He is just going out"
Going out?" cried Yvonne, who had
shrunk back into the room.
Eyes, sahibah You will please ex
cuse, Mrs. Desmond. He regret very
much"
Mrs. Desmond passed slowly through
the door, which he held open for her
As she passed by the Hindu she looked
full into his dark, expressive eyes
and there was question in hers. He
did not speak, but she read the answer
as If it were on a printed page. He
shoulders dropped.
She went back to Lydia.