The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-06-04
but YOU cannot-you will no'

OUT you CdnhOt-you WI"
ask 1t of me. will you?"
But you know love you" he criea'
There isn't any doubt in your fh'hu :,
Lyddy. There is no one else, teh
you"
Il think am just beginning to un
derstand men," she remarked en'e
matically.
He looked up sharply. And to "on
der why they cali women the "eaA0'
sex, eh?"
Yes she said so seriously that "a.
wry smile died on his lips. l aoh '
believe there are many women WIZ
would ask man to be sorry for thein.
That's really what all this amoun'0
to. isn't it, Freddy?
BY jove!" he exclaimed, wonder
ingly.
You are a strong. self-Willed, civ
alrous man, and yet you think nolh'ne
of asking a woman to protect yoo
against yourself. You are afralu "
stand alone. Wait Five minutes
yes, one minute before you asReu ~
of me, Freddy dear, you were HUH
dering in the darkness. uncertain
which way to turn. You were alra'u
of the things you could not see YOU
looked for some place in which TO niue.
The fash of light revealed a haven Oh
refuge SO you asked me to-to marry
you tomorrow" All through this III
dictment she had held his manu-
clasped tightly in both of hers. he
was looking at her with a frank az
acknowledgements growing in his eyes
Are you ashamed of me, Lyddy'
he asked 1t was confession.
NO." she said, meeting his gaze
steadily. 81 am little disappointed,
that's ALL 1t is you who are ashamed.
Il am" said he. simply. 1T WASH
fair"
Love will endure. | am content 70
wait" she said, with Wistful smile
You will be my wife no matter
what happens? You won't let THIS
make any difference?"
You are not angry with me-
Angry? Why should | be angry
with you, Lyddy? For shaking some
sense into me? For seeing through
me with that wonderful, far-sighted
brain of yours? Why. | could go down
on my knees to you. l could"
He clasped her in his arms and held
her close you dear, dear Lyddy!
Neither spoke for many minutes. l,
was she who broke the silence.
You must promise one thing, Fred
eric. For my sake, avoid quarre
with your father. l could not beal
that You will promise, dear? You
must"
| His jaw was set. 81 don't intend t
quarrel with him, but If l am to re
main in his house there has got t.
be-"
Promise me you will wait. He Is
going away in a couple Of weeks
When he returns-later on-nex1
fall"
ooh, if it really distresses you
Lyddy, I'll" r.
1T does distress me. I want ypl
promise" vs. ss Il
'Ill do my part" he said, resigned
ly. "And next fall will see US maj
ried, So"
The telephone bell in the hall wa
ringing. Frederic released Lydia
hand and sat up rather stiffly, as on
who suddenly suspects that he is be
ing spied upon. The significance Q
the movement did not escape Lydia
She laughed mirthlessly.
81 will see who it isl she said, an
arose. Two red spots appeared in hi
cheeks. Then it was that she realize
he had been waiting all along for tn
bell to ring; he had been expecting
summons.
IF it's for me, please say-er-sa
I'll" he began, somewhat disjofh
eddy, but she interrupted him.
will you stay here for luncheon
Frederic? And this afternoon we wi
go to Oh, is there a concert or
recital"
Eyes, I'll stay If you'll let me
he said, wistfully. We'll find som
thing to do
She went to the telephone. H
heard the polite greetings, the poli'
assurances that she had not take
cold, two or three laughing rejoindel
to what must have been amusing COL
ments on the storm and its effect
timid creatures, and then:
Eyes, Mrs. Brood, will call him
the phone
CHAPTER XIII.