davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29

| II am a little tired" stammered
Lydia. 1--WE are working so hard, you
know. in order to finish the"
Brood interrupted, his tone sharp
and incisive. 1.-The end Is in sight.
We're a bit feverish over It, ! sup
pose. Ycu see, my dear. We have just
escaped captivity In Lhasa. 1t was a
bit thrilling, / fancy. But we've
stopped for the night"
$50 l perceive" said Yvonne, a
touch of insolence In her voice. you
stopped, l dare say, when you heard
the vulgar world approaching the in.
ner temple. That is what you broke
into and d~esecrated. wasn't IT."
"The inner temple at Lhasa," he
said. coldly.
Certainly. The place you were
escaping from when we came in"
II was clear to all of them that
Yvonne was piqued, even angry. She
deliberately crossed the room and
threw herself upon the couch, an act
so childish, 90 disdainfui that for a
full minute no n spoke. but stared
at her, each with q different emotion.
Lydia's eyes were flashing. Her lips
parted, but she withheld the angry
words that rose to them. Brood's az.
preston changed slowly from dull
anger to one OF incredulity, which
swiftly gave way to positive Joy. His
wife was Jealous!
Frederic VAS biting his lips nery.
ously. He allowed Lydia to pass him
on her way out, scarcely noticing her
SO ~intently was his gaze fixed upon
Yvonne. When Brood followed Lydia
into the hall to demonstrate, the young
man sprang eagerly to his stepmoth-
er's side.
Good Lord, Yvonne," he whispered,
that was a nasty thing to say. What
will Lydia think? BY CAD. is 1t pos
sible that you are jealous? OF Lydia"
"Jealous?" cried she, struggling with
her fury. Jealous of that girl! Poof!
Why should l be Jealous of her? She
hasn't the blood of a potato"
Il can't understand you." he said In
great perplexity. "You-you told me
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29

"csow get out Of those coats, and-of,
dear. how wet you arei A hot drink
for both OF you"
would you mind asking Jones to
send over something for me to wear
in the morning?" said Frederic, grin
ming as he stood forth in his evening
clothes.
Ten minutes later, as he sat with
them before an open fire and slipped
the toddy Mrs. Desmond had brewed,
he cried: Il say. this is great"
Lydia was suddenly shy and embar-
raised.
Good night" she whispered. Her
fingers brushed his cheek lightly. He
drew her down to him and kissed her
passionately.
Goodnight, my Lyddy!" he said,
softly, his cheek flushing.
She went quickly from the room.
Later he stood in her sweet, dainty
little bedroom and looked about him
with a feeling Of mingled W. and
wonder. All of her intimate, exquisite
belongings, the sanctiied treasures Of
her most secret domain were about
him. He wandered. He fingered the
articles on her dressing table; smelled
Of the perfume bottles and smiled as
he recognized the sweet odors as be-
ing a part of her, and not q thing unto
themselves; grinned delightedly at his
own photograph in its silver frame
that stood where she could see 1t the
last thing at night and the first thing
in the morning; c~aressed-ay, caTessed
the little hand mirror that had re-
f1ected her gay or troubled face so
many times since the dear Christmas
day when he had given it to her with
his love. He stood beside her bed
where she had stood, and the soft rug
seemed to respond to the delightful
tingling that ran through his bare
feet, Her room! Her bed! Her do
main!
Suddenly he dropped to his knees
and buried his hot face in the cool,
white sheets, and kissed them over and
over again. Here was sanctuary! His
eyes were wet with tears when he
arose to his feet, and his arms went
put to the closed door.
MY Lyddy!" he whispered chok-
ingly.
Back there in the rose-hued light Of
James Brood's study, Yvonne cringed
and shook in the strong arms of her
husband all through that savage
storm. She was no longer the def
ant, self-possessed creature he had
come to know so well, but a shrinking,
trembling child, stripped of all her
bravado, all her arrogance, all her
seeming guile. A pathetic whimper
crooned from her lips in response to
his gentle words of reinsurance. She
was afraid-desperately afraid-and
she crept close to him in her fear.
And he? He was looking backward
to another who had nestled close to
him and whimpered as she was doing
now-another who had lived in terror
when it stormed.
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29
SYNOPSIS.

In the New York home of James Brood.
his son, Frederic, receives a wireless
from him. Frederic tells Lydia Des-
mond, his nancee, that the message an
nounces his fathers marriage, and orders
Mrs. Desmond, the h~ousekeeper and
Lydia's mother, 70 prepare the hous for
an immediate homecoming. Brood and
his bride arrive. She wins Frederic's Tx
ing at first meeting. Brood shows dislike
and yelled hostility to his son. Lydia and
Mrs. Brood met In the jade-room, where
Lydia works as Brood's secretary. Mrs.
Brood is startled by the appearance OF
Rantab, Brood's Hindu ervant. She
makes changes In the household and gains
her husbands consent to send Mrs. Des-
nnond and Lydia away. She fascinates
Frederic. She begins to fear Ranjab In
his uncanny appearances and disappear
ances, and Frederic. remembering his
fathers East Indian stories and firm be-
lief In magic, fears unknown evil. Ptap
tab performs feats OF magic for Dawes
and Riggs. Frederic's father, jealous, I'M
Justly orders his son from the dtpcier table
as drunk. Brood tells the story OF Ran
1ab's life to his guests. He killed q ,rom-
an" who was unfaithfui to him. Yvonne
plays with Frederfc's lnfatuation for her.
Her husband warm her that the thing
must not go on. She tells him that he
still loves his dead wife. whom he drove
from his home. through her, Yyonne:
Xvonne plays with Brood. Frederic and
Lydia as with figures on a chess board.
Brood, madly jealous. tells Lydia that
Frederic Is not his son.
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29
XII.
The Day Between.

Frederic opened his eyes a. the
sound of a gentle, persistent tapping
On the bedroom door. Resting on his
elbow, he looked blankly, wonderingly
about the room aforementioned. It
vas broad daylight. The knocking
continued. He dreamed on, his blink
ing eyes still seeking out the dainty,
Lydialike treasures in the enchanted
room.
Frederic! Get up! It's nine
o'clock. Or will you have your break
fast in bed, sir?" 1t was Lydia who
spoke, assuming a fine Irish brogue in
imitation of their little maid of ell
work.
"Ill have to, unless my clothes have
come over?"
They are here. Now, do hurry"
He sprang out of bed and bounded
across the room. She passed the gar
ments through the partly opened
door.
He was artistic, temperamental.
Such as he have not the capacity for
haste when there is the slightest op-
poTtunity 10 dream and dawdie. He
was a full quarter of an hour taking
his tub and another was consumed In
getting into his clothes. He sailed
forth In great haste at nine-thirty-fve
and was extremely proud Of himself.
although unshaved.
His first act, after warmly greeting
Mrs. Desmond. was to sit down at the
piano. Hurriedly he played a few
jerky, broken snatches of the haunt
ing air he had heard the night before.
I've been wondering II | could re-
member it," he a~pologized as he fol-
lowed them into the dining-room.
whats the matter. Lydia? Didn't
you sleep we'll? Poor old girl, / was a
beast to deprive you of your bed"
81 have q mean headache, that's
ALL" said the girl, quickly. He noticed
the dark circles under her eye and
the queer expression, as Of trouble, in
their depths. 1T will go as soon as
I've had my coffee"
Night with its wonderful sensations
was behind them. Day revealed the
shadow that had fallen. They uncon-
sciously shrank from it and drew back
into the shelter of their own misgiv-
wings. The joyous abandon of the
night before vas dead. Over its grave
stood the specter of unrest, leering.
When he took her In his arms later
on, and kissed her, there was not the
shadow Of q doubt In the mind Of
either that the restraining influence
OF q condition v e which they had no
control was there to mock their en-
deavor to be natural. They kissed as
through q veil. They were awake once
more. and they were wary. uncon-
yinced. The answer to their questions
came In b kiss Itself, and constraint
fell upon them.
Drawn by Al impulse that had been
struggling within him for IA time,
rredaric fouA1 himself standing q
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29

And now, Mr.. Brood, may I ask why
you have always intended to tell me
this dreadful thing?" she demanded,
her eyes cleaning with a fierce. accus-
ing light.
He stared. "Doesn't-doesn't 1t put
q different light on your estimate Of
him? Doesn't It convince you that he
is not worthy Of"
mo! A thousand times mol" she
cried. II love him. II he we're to ask
me to be his wife tonight I would re-
1oice-oh, I would rejoice! Someone
is coming. Let me say this to you, Mr..
Brood: You have brought Frederic
up as a butcher fattens the calves and
swine he prepares for slaughter. You
are waiting for the hour to come
when you can kill his very soul with
the weapon you have held over him
for so long, waiting, waiting. waiting!
In Gods name. what has he done that
you should a to strike him down
after all these years? 1t is In my heart
to curse you. but somehow / feel that
you are a curse to yourself. l will not
say that cannot understand how you
feel about everything. You have suf-
fered. l know you have, and IL am
sorry for you. And knowing how bit
ter life has been for you, | implore you
to be merciful to him who Is inno-
cent"
The man listened without the slight
est change of expression. The lines
seemed deeper about his eyes, that
was all. But the eyes were bright
and as hard as the steel they resem.
bled.
"You would marry him?"
Yes, yes!"
KNOWING that ha is a ~scnnndrel? ?"
How dars you say that. Mr..
Brood? 2"
because" said he levelly, "he
thinks he Is my son." Voices were
heard on thu stairs. Frederic's and
Yvonne's. HE is coming now, my
DEAR" he went on and then, after a
pause fraught with significance. land
my wife Is with him"
Lydia closed her eyes as II in dire
pain. A dry sob was in her throat.
A strange thing happened to Brood.
the man OF iron. Tears suddenly
rushed e his eyes.
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29
Played a Few Jerky, Broken Snatehes
Of the Haunting Air.

-"
today. my head, you know. Mother
telephoned to MI. Brood this morning
before you were up. Stay here with
me. Don't go home, Freddy. l."
"Oh, I've got to have 1t out with
father sometime" he said. bitterly.
at may as well be now as later on.
We've got to come to an understand
ing"
Her heart was cold. She rs afraid
OF what would come out of that "un-
derstanding." All night long she had
lain with wide-staring eyes, thinking
of the horrid thing James Brood had
said to her. Far In the night she
aroused her mother from a sound
sleep to put the question that had
been torturing her for hours. Mrs.
Desmond confessed that her husband
had told her that Brood had never con-
sidered Frederic to be his son, and
then the two lay side by side for the
remainder of the night without utter
ing a word and yet keenly awake.
They were thinking of the hour when
Brood would serve notice on the In
truderi
Lydia now realized that the hour
was near. Have it out with father"
he had said in his ignorance. He was
preparing to rush headlong to his
doom. To prevent that catastrophe
was the single, a~ll-absorbing thought
in Lydia's mind. Her only hope lay in
keeping the men apart until she could
extract from Brood a promise to be
merciful. and this she intended to
accomplish II she had to go down on
her knees and grovel before the man.
"Oh, Freddy" she cried. earnestly.
"why take the chance of making a bad
matter worse?" Even as she uttered
the words she realized how stsDAA.
how Intellectual they were.
II can't be much worse" he sal.
gloomily. Il am inclined to think AsAA
relish a straight-ort. fair and snuas.
talk. anyhow. Moreover. l mean -
take Tyonne to task for the thing she
sailor implied hs3 night. Abogf
you. I mean. She
ITO N CoNxuNuEDS
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29

-Goos LORD. that was close" crieo
Frederic. There was no sign of a
storm when we came .n-just a steady,
gentle spring rain"
Il am frightened" shuddered
Yvonne, wide-eyed with fear. do you
think"
There came another d~eafening crash.
The glare filed the room with a bril-
liant. greenish hue. Ranjab was
standing at the window, holding the
curtains apart while he peered upward
across the space that separated them
from the apartment building beyond
the court.
Take me home, Frederick" cried
Lydia, frantically. She ran toward
the door.
Il will come" he exclaimed, as they
raced down the stairs. Don't be
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29

tonight that you are not sure that
you really love him. You"
she stopped him with 9 quick ges-
ture. Her eyes were ~smoldering.
Where is he? Gone away with her?
Go and look. do"
They're in the hall. ! shall take
her home, never fear. ! fancy he's try
ing to explain your insinuating-"
She turned on him furiously. Are
you lecturing me? What a tempest in
a teapot"
"Lydia's as good as gold. She
Then take her home at once"
sneered Yvonne. This is no place
for her."
Frederic paled. You're not trying
to say that my father would-Good
Lord. Yyonne, you must be crazyi
Why. that is impossible! Tiff
thought" He clinched his fists and
glared over his shoulder. missing the
queer little smile that fitted across
her face.
you do love her. then" she said.
her voice suddenly soft and caressing.
He stared at her In complete bewil-
derment,
T-I-Lord. you gave me a shock!"
He passed his hand across his moist
forehead. 1T can't be SO. Why. the
very thought OF it,
Il suppose ! shall have to apologize
to LYDIA" said she. calmly. "Your faith
Their will exact 1t OF me, and I shall
obey. Well, ! am sorry. How does
It sound. coming from me? 4 am
sorry. LYDIA Do ! say It prettily?"
II don't understand you at all.
Yvonne. / adore you. and yet. by
heaven, IL actually believe I hated
you just now. Listen to me; i've been
Treating Lydia yfis;y tor . long. long
time. but-she's the 1nest. best, dear.
ct girl IN the world. Yon-eyen Won,
XVo1ns-shalI not utter 4 word
AT WIZ ksrpaeoi" she e,sd
onfcn1lv. ~xe1 - spSendiA whsn
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29
cHAPTER xI.


Yyesns stopped IN the doorway.
Ranjab was holding the curtains aside
for her to enter. The tall figure of
Frederic doomed up behind her. his
dark face glowing in the warm light
that came from the room She had
changed her dress for an exquisite
orchid colored tea-gown OF chiffon I'M
der the rarest and most delicate OF
lace. For an instant her gaze rested
on Lydia and then went questioningly
to Brood's face. The girls confusion
had not ESCAPED her notice. Her hus-
bands manner was but little less con-
victing. Her eyes narrowed.
"Raniab said you were expecting
u.s." she said slowly. She came for
ward h~altingly. as II In doubt as to
her welcome. Are we interrupting?"
rOf course not" said Brood. a flush
Of annoyarcss on his cheek. Lydia is
tired. I sent Ranjab down to ask
Frederic to-
Frederic interrupted. . trife too
eagerly. s'I1l walk around with you.
Lydia. IT'S raining. however. Shall /
&ot the car 1ut, fathor7
NO. nois cried Lydia. painfully con-
ncfous Of TIE rather awkward situa-
@ioo. And ulease don't bother. Freddy.
Ia home alone. It's only . STEP"
no<od toward the door. eager to
\ you" said Frederic de-
kood shofwoon hef and
~. ERASED smile on his
hing 20 say to you.
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29
cHAPTER x--continued.

And now. Mr.. Brood, may | ask why
you have always intended to tell me
this dreadful thing?" she demanded,
her eyes cleaning with a fierce. accus-
The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-29

ne felt.
"Frederic!" she called imperatively.
Come away from that window"
The young man joined the group.
The sullen look in his face had given
way to n OF acute inquiry. The new
note in her voice produced a strange
effect upon him. 1t seemed like a call
for help. a cry out of the darkness.
They were all playing for time. Not
one of them but who realized that
something sinister was attending their
little conclave, unseen but vital. Each
one knew that united they were safe.
each against the other! Lydia was
afraid because of Brood's revelations.
Yvonne had sensed peril with the mes
sage delivered by Ranjab to Frederic.
Frederic had come upstairs prepared
for rebellion against the caustic re-
marks that were almost certain to
come from his father. Brood was
afraid of-himself! He was holding
himself in check with the greatest diff.
ficulty. He knew that the smallest
spark would create the explosion he
dreaded and yet courted. Restraint
lay heavily yet shiftingiy upon all OF
them.
A long, reverberating roll Of thun-
der ending in an ear-splitting crash
s:sscczss 40 farther away IMAM The
window easement behind than
brought sharp ordinations OF terror
l f29m TIA linz ~ fbo fw~ ~ouoo> ~.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-19

field Bowling Green club commenced
Saturday at the club green. The fol-
lowing was the result Of the first
round.
John Tailor ca IL A Beauregarde(5) 5
Phillip Hou1e a. Jeck Tetlow ca IL
A Hilton lscratch) IL F. Kershaw %
Asa Hilton ca IL VIM Booth (5) 5
J. McNulty I'd II J. Seldom (2) 5
G. Hirst (S) IL J. Booth go z
W. Barlow ca Jos. Walker (5) 10
]. Royle (scratch) IL J. Walker "a 10
The regular meeting of the club was
held last week and the report showed
the club strong financially. The new
clubhouse is progressing rapidly and
the members will soon have q home on
their green
Post Office In New Location.
The post office was roved from its
old stand Sunday and was opened this
morning In Its new home in the Bah
cock theatre building. The new place
is more centrally located and in a far
more satisfactory location to the ma :
jority Of the townspeople then the
old.
Short Paragraphs.
Mrs. Mary MuIgne Of Taftville was
a Plainfeld visitor Sunday.
Miss Della Lemonine and Wilfred
Lemonine of .Baltice spent the week
end with Plainfield friends
George La Cross OF Baltic was the
guest Saturday Of George Roche1eau.
John c. Duff of Galveston. Texas,
is visiting the north, calling on Nor
witch and Piainfield relatives.
Miss Alice Bradford, Cecil and John
Bradford. and Mrs. Bradford, motored
to Midway on Sunday.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-19

September she will become superin-
tendent Of a nurses training school
inst. Louis. Mo.
New Britain-Dr. Catherine H. Ira
Wis, the only woman doctor in New
Britain, will leave here soon for Nish,
Serbia, where she will be physician
at the babies hospital, which is to be
established there upon her arrival. The
hospital is the cause for which Mime.
Mabel Grouitch was working on her
recent trip through the United States.
Guiifopd-Mr and Mrs Edward C..
Segard are entertaining at Rock Lodge,
SachTm's Head, John Burroughs, the
famous naturalist, and the man who
knows and loves the birds as few
others do, Other guests at Rock Lodge
are DR.. Clara Barrus, specialist and
authoress, and Mrs. Eugene Byrnes,
one of the leading musicians of Wash
ington. d. c.
MiIford-At the Chautauqua last
week there was a lecture by Rev. D.
]. Cronin (who during his stay in town
was the guest of Rev. Peter H. Nc
Clean at St. Mary's rectory.) The lee
ture was an eloquent one. and en-
Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-19
COLCHESTER

hr. and Mrs. Edwin B. Cragfn have
rel turned from a. short stay at their
DO lue in New York
u i,r II. A. Totaling returned to Hart
for 4 I Friday after a few days stay in
towH l.
Is tn e guest of his daughter, Mrs. A. T.
Vans Give. on South Main street for a
few Y weeks.
Sea -eral of the fans of the village
went to North Westchester Saturday
to al lend the ball game between the
North Westchester team and the East
Hartft 1rd team. The North Westches-
ter tes I'm Is playing good ball this sea-
son an d have lost but two games, and
they rere lost to the Boys club team
Of this place. They have won ten and
lost tw games.
Mrs. Katie Talcott. Mrs. Mary "A.
Baker and Mrs. w. w. Palmer were
Calling on friends in Norwich Satur-
day. ma liking the trip by automobile.
Mr. al 1d Mrs. d. w. Williams of New
Britainl were guests Of Mr.. Williams
parentsa at The Homestead Sunday.
Villa Button was a visitor In North
Westche ster Saturday.
Daniel Goldberg was a Willimantdc
caller Sd tturday.
Mrs. d Fathaniel Clark of Salem was
The CUES t Saturday Of her brother,
Thomas 1 S. Clark.
Timoth O'Connell of East Haddam
was a ca Her here Saturday.
Harold ]. Porter has gone to New
Haven, W here he is in one of the large
factories.
f. H. E artlett Of New Haven was a
visitor he re Saturday.
Julius y v. Phelps of Westchester was
falling on friends in town Saturday.
REV. ]. III. Crawford of New Britain
vas Co chester caller Saturday.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-19
CHURCH NOTES.
ST. Johns.

st. Johns.
Masses were read Sunday by Rev.
Fathers Keefe and Metiyier at 1880
s: 80 and 10: 80. A novena in honor of
st. Anne began Sunday morning. The
pastor thanked all who in any way
contributed to the success of the lawn
fete. The exact profit could not be
ascertained, but it is estimated to be
about $780,
Congregational Church.
Rev. Walter Lamphear of Hartford,
delivered the morning address at
11:09 a. m, taking as his subject THE
Task Lincoln Left" c. E. at 7:15.
Evangelistic service at 1880.
Jewett City Won.
Jewett City broke the winning streak
of the Plainfield Independents Satur-
day at the local grounds by pounding
McFarland's offerings to all corners Of
the lot. Eleven to was the final re-
suit. Mcfarland, who up to Saturday
was considered invincible was no
Jewett City.
Briefs and Personals.
Mrs. Caouette of Elmville, and Mrs.
T. Racine of Dayville, were the guests
of Fred I. Racine, over the week
end.
william Cronin, operator at plain
field was in Baltic Sunday with his
folks.
Kerwin J. Nolan returned to Long
Branch, N. J., Saturday, after brief
visit to Taftville and Plainfield rela.-
tives.
Misses Yvone and Anna Siminean of
Baltic were guests of Plainfeld rela-
tiyeS over the weekend.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-19

Several local people, friends of Mrs.
Walter Holden, e former resident OF
this place, but now residing in Eng
land, have received communications
from her inquiring as to the where
abouts Of her husband, Walter Holden.
About Is months ago Mr.. Holden. who
was overseer of slashing at the local
mill, went to work one morning as
usual but never returned. When Hol-
den failed to appear after a couple OF
weeks, his wife sold out the furniture
left he drew all the money he had in
a Danielson bank and life his wife
with nothing but weeks wages.
After about a month Holden was
heard from In New York. He was
looking for work in Plainfield and
stated he had been to Bermuda to re-,
cover from failing health. Since that
time no one has heard from him. His
wife is in England with relatives and
in some manner report reached her
that Holden was dead in America She
Immediately wrote to P1ainheld to as
certain if the report was true. AS far
as could be learned no one in Plain
field had heard from Holden, dead or
alive, in over a year.
Mr.. and MRS. John Duffy and son
Gerald, OF Attawaugan, are guests of
Mr.. and Mrs. Severe Beaulac for a
week.
The&Kuights Of st. Paul held their
meeting in the basement of st. Paul's
church, Friday evening. Two member
ship applications were received. The
Knights have received the use of the
ground west of the church for athletic
purposes and propose an athletic meet
soon.