The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-06-11
CHAPTER xtit-Continued.

Lydia resolved to take the plunge.
Now was the time to speak plainly to
this woman of the thing that was hurt.
Ing her almost beyond the limits OF
endurance. Her voice was rather high.
pitched. She had the fear that she
would not be able to control it.
II should be blind not to have OBJ
served the cruel position in which you
are placing Frederic. Is it surprising
that your husband has eyes as we'll as
II What must be his thoughts, Mrs
Brood?"
She expected an outburst, torrent
Of indignation, an angry storm OF
words, and was therefore unprepared
for the piteous, hunted expression that
came swiftly into the lovely eyes, bent
80 appealingly upon her own, which
were cold and accusing. Here was a
new phase to this extraordinary crea-
lures character. She was a coward,
after all, and Lydia despised coward
The look of scorn deepened in her
eyes, and out from her heart rushed
all that was soft and tender In her
nature, leaving 1t barren Of all com
passion.
81 do not want to hurt Frederic y
murmured Yvonne. IL am sorry
If"
you are hurting him dreadfuIly."
said Lydia, suddenly choking up with
emotion.
HE Is not-not in love with me-"
declared Yvonne.
NO" said the girl, regaining con-
troll of herself, "he is not in love with
you. That Is the whole trouble. He
Is in love with me. But-can't you
see?"
You are a wise young woman to
know men so WE'LL" said the other
systematically. Il have never believed
in st. Anthony"
Nor l." said Lydia, and was sur
prised at herself.
do you consider me to be a bad
woman, Lydia?" Her lips trembIed.
There was a suspicious culver to her
chin.
mo, ! do not" pronounced the girl
datly. IF l could only think that Of
you It would explain everything and
I should know just how to treat you.
But ! do not think 1t Of YOU"
With long, deep sigh, Yvonne crept
closer and laid her head against Lyd-
las shoulder. The girls body stiff
fened, her brow grew dark with an.
noyance.
81 am afraid you do not understand,
Mrs. Brood. The fact still remains
that you have not considered Fred
cries peace of mind"
"Nor yours" murmured the other,
abiectiy.
Nor NINE" confessed Lydia, after
. moment.
II did not know that you and Fred.
eric were in love with each other until
I had been here for some time," Mrs.
Brood explained, suddenly fretful.
What kind of a woman are your"
burst from Lydia's indignant soul.
"Have you no conception Of the finer,
nobler-"
Yvonne deliberately put her hand
over the girls lips, checking the fierce
outburst. She smiled rather plain
lively as Lydia tried to jerk her head
to one side In order to continue her
reckless indictment.
"You shall not say 1t, Lydia. / am
not all that you think am. No, no,
q thousand times no. God pity me,
am more accursed than you may think
with the finer and nobler instinct. II
It were not 30, do you think I should
be where / ann now?--cringing here
like beaten child? No. you cannot
understand-you never will under
stand. I shall say no more. It Is
ended swear on my soul that /
did not know you were Frederic's
sweetheart. l did not know"
"But you knew almost Immediately
after you came here" exclaimed
Lydia, harshly. 1T is not myself !