The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-05-21

dear.
. you are mistaken ! do understand
myself" she said gravely. May
J speak plainly. Mr.. Brood?"
} Certainly. ! intend to speak plain
ly to you"
Frederic loves me. He does not
love Yyonne. He is fascinated. as |
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 it hurts! She cast her spell over
you, why not over him? Is he stronger
than you? Is it 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 Fredeic's mother. Do
| make my meaning plain? Well. so 1t
is 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. no
thought of protest.
"You-you astound me. Lydia. Is
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. All.
not lightly. Mr.. Brood"
you don't know what you are say
ing" he muttered.
"Ohs yes, l do" she cried earnestly.
you invite my opinion; l trust you
will accept it for what it is worth. Be-
fore you utter another word against
Frederic, let me remind you that I
have known both of you for a long,
long time. In all the years | have
been In this house. have never known
you to grant him a tender. loving
word. My heart has ached for him.
There have been times when | almost
hated you. He feels your neglect,
your harshness, your-your cruelty.
He"
Cruelty"
1T is nothing less. You do not like
him. ! cannot understand why you
should treat him as you do. He shrinks
from you. Is it right, Mr.. Brood. that
a son should shrink from his father as
a dog cringes at the voice of an I'M
kind master? / might be Idle to I'M
your unkindness was of recent origin.
but"
Recent origin?" he demanded
quickly.
eff it had begun with the advent OF
Mrs. Brood" she explained frankly
undismayed by his scowl 81 do not
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
MS hand.
1.-The time has come for frankness
IN my part. You set me an example,
~ Qld w nave LIE COul d66 VI JOui
ather. For months l have had 1t in
ny mind to tell you the truth about
but my courage has always
allied me. Perhaps / use the wrong
word. 1t may be something very I'M
ike cowardice that has held me back.
am going to put direct question to
'ou first of all, and l ask you to an
wer truthfully. Would you say that
frederic is like-that is, resembles his
ather?" He was leaning forward, his
manner intense.
Lydia was surprised. what an odd
hing to say! Of course he resembles
is father. / have never seen por-
RAFT of his mother, but"
"You mean that he looks like me?"
emanded Brood.
when he is angry he is very much
Ike you, Mr.. Brood. l have often won
cred why he is unlike you at other
mes. Now / know. He is like his
lother. She must have been lovely.
emile, patient"
"WaitI Suppose were to tell you
lat Frederic is not my son."
Il should not believe you. Mr..
rood" she replied fatty. what is it
lat you are trying to say to me-"
will you understand if say to you
is not my SOM"
Her eyes filled with horror How
IN you say such thing, Mr.. Broodi
g is your son. How can you say"
"His father was the man who wrote
e accursed waltz he has Just been
aging! Could there be anything
pre- devilish than the conviction il
rries? After all these years, he"
stop, Mr.. Brood"
Il am sorry If hurt you, Lydia. You
We asked me why / hate him. Need
Jay anything more?"
4 do not believe all that you have
d me. He is your son. He is. Mr.
ood."
4 would to God / could believe
It," he cried, in a voice of agony. Il
uld to God It were true"
You could believe 1t II you chose ia
ieve your own eyes, your own
art" She lowered her voice to .
f-whisper. "Does-does Frederic
he