The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-06-18

dear"
"You are mistaken. do understand
myself" she said gravely. May !
speak plainly, Mr.. Brood?"
Certainly. l intend to speak plain
ly to you"
Frederic loves me. He does not
love YVonne. He is fascinated, as l
also am fascinated by her, and you
too, Mr.. Brood. The spell has fallen
over all Of us. Let me go on, please.
You say that Frederic loves like his
father before him. That is true. He
loves but one woman. You love but
one woman, and she is dead. You will
always love her. Frederic is like you.
He loves Yvonne as you do-oh, ]
know 1t hurts! She cast her spell over
you, why not over him? Is he stronger
than you? Is 1t strange that she
should attract him as she attracted
you? You glory in her beauty, her
charm, her perfect loneliness. and yet
you love-yes love, Mr.. Brood-the
woman who was Fredeics mother. Do
make my meaning plain? Well, SO 1t
q that Frederic loves me. am con-
tent to wait. know he loves me-"
Through all this, Brood stared at
her in sheer establishment. He had no
feeling of anger, no resentment. mo-
thought of protest.
"You-you astound me. Lydia. 10
this your own impression or has It
been suggested to you by-by an
other?"
Il am only agreeing with you when
you say that he loves as his father
loved before him-but not lightly. Ahs
not lightly, Mr.. Brood"
"You don't know what you are say
Ing" he muttered.
"Oh, yes, do" she cried earnestly.
you invite my opinion; / trust you
will accept 1t for what 1t is worth. Be-
fore you utter another word against
Frederic, let me remind you that Il
have known both of you for q long,.
long time. In all the years ] have
been in this house, have never known
you to grant him tender, loving
word. My heart has ached for him.
There have been times when l almost
hated you. He feels your neglect,
your harshness, your-your cruelty.
He" ,,-,..,..,,...,rTd9
Cruelty" ~ i'f'i'E.s
1T is nothing less. You do not Ike
him. ! cannot understand why you
should treat him as you do. He shrinks
from you. Is it right, Mr.. Brood. that
son should shrink from his father as
a dog cringes at the voice of an I'M
kind master? ! might be Idle to un--
derstand your attitude toward him IL
your unkindness was Of recent origin.
but"
Recent origin?" he demanded
quickly.
IF it had begun with the advent OF
Mrs. Brood" she explained frankly
undismayed by his scowl. 81 do not
understand all that has gone before. Is
it surprising, Mr. Brood, that your
son finds it difficult to love you? Do
you deserve"
Brood stopped her with gesture Of
his hand,
"The time has come for frankness
on my part. You set me an example,
Lydia. You have the courage of your
father. For months have had it in
my mind to tell you the truth about
Frederic, but my courage has always
failed me. Perhaps l use the wrong
word. 1t may be something very I'M
like cowardice that has held me back.
l am going to put direct question to
you first of all, and / ask you to an
swer truthfully. Would you say that
Frederic is like-that is, resembles his
father?" He was leaning forward, his
manner intense.
Lydia was surprised. What an odd
thing to say! OF course he resembles
his father. have never seen a por-
trait of his mother, but"
You mean that he looks like me?"'
demanded Brood.
when he is angry he is very much
like you, Mr.. Brood. have often WON.
dered why he is unlike you at other
times. Now ! know. He Is like his
mother. She must have been lovely.
gentle, patient"
Wait! Suppose l were to tell you
that Frederic is not my son."
81 should not believe you, Mr..
Brood" she replied fatty. What is 1t,
that you are trying to say to me?"
"Will you understand If say to you.
that-Frederic is not my SOM"
Her eyes filled with horror. How
can you say such thing, Mr.. Broodf
He is your son. How can you say"
"His father was the man who wrote
the accursed waltz he has just been
playing! Could there be anything,
more devilish than the conviction It
carries? After all these years, he"
stop, Mr.. Brood"
81 am sorry if hurt you, Lydia. You,
have asked me why hate him. Need
l say anything more?"
81 do not believe all that you have
told me. He is your son. He is, Mr..
Brood"
81 would to God | could believe