The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-06-12

with her" he said defiantl5- He waited
a moment for the response that did
not come Brood was regarding him
with eyes from which every spark OF
compassion had disappeared We'll.
it may interest you to know that in
tend to marry Lydia this very day
Brood advanced a few steps toward
him In the subdued light of the room
his features we're not clearly dis
tinguishable. His face was gray and
shadowy; only the eyes were sharply
defined They gIowed like points OF
light, unfickering.
ct shall be sorry for Lydia" he said
leveily.
you needn't be-" said Frederic hot
ly. "She understands everything.
"Have you told her that you love her
and no one else?"
Certainly"
''Then you have lied to her"
There was silence-tense silence
do you expect me to strike you for
that?" came at last from FTederic's
lips, low and menacing-
you have always considered your
self to be my son, haven't you?" pur-
sued Brood deliberately Can you say
to me that you have behaved Of late as
a son should"
Watt Wen settle that point right
now. did lose my head. Head, I say.
: not heart I shan't attempt to explain
i can't, for that matter. As for
Yvonne- well, she's as good as gold
She understands me better than l IN
derstand myself. She knows that even
honest men lose their heads some
| times. I can say to you now that
would sooner have cut my own throat
than to do more than envy you the
possession of one you do not de-
! serve. have considered myself
| your son. have no apology to make
| for my-weu call it infatuation-
shall only admit that it has existed
and that 1 have despaired- As God is
/ my witness, I have never loved any
one but Lydia I have given her pain,
and the amazing part Of it is that 1
cant help myself. Naturally, you can't
understand what it all means. You are
not a young man any longer You
| cannot understand"
| Good GodI" burst from Brood's lips
Then he laughed -grotesquely-
| "Yvonne is the most wonderful thing
that has ever come into my life /
adored her the instant / saw her. l
have felt sometimes that knew her a
| thousand years ago. l have felt that
| I loved her thousand years ago." A
calm seriousness now attended his
speech, in direct contrast to the violent
mood that had gone before. 81 have
thought of little else but her. 1 con-
fess it to you. But through it all there
has never been an instant in which
did not worship Lydia Desmond +
1 do not pretend to account for it It
is beyond me-"
Brood waited patiently to the end
Your mother before you had a some
what similar affection" he said, still
| in the steady, depressed voice Per
haps it is a gift-a convenient gift
this ability to worship without effort. !"
Better leave my mother out of ii, %
said Frederic sarcastically. A look of
wonder Ieaped to his eyes. That's
the first time you've condescended to
acknowledge that ever had a
mother"
Brood's smile was deadly. eff you
have anything more to say to me, you
would better get it over with. Purge
your soul Of ali the gall that embitters
it grant you that privilege Take
your innings"
A spasm Of pain crossed Frederic's
face. Yes, I am entitled to my In
nings. I'll go back to what said down
stairs. thought loved and honored
you last night I would have forgiven
everything If you had granted me a
friendly friendly, that's adjust q
friendly word. You denied"
It suppose you want me to believe
that it was love for me that brought
you sinking to the theater," said the
other ironically.
Il don't expect you to believe any
thing. I was lonely. wanted to be
with you and Yvonne. Can't you IN
derstand how lonely I've been all my
life? Can't you understand how hun
cry am for the affection that every
other boy I've known has had from his
parents? I've never asked you about
my mother. I used to wonder a good
deal. Every other boy had a mother. /
never had one. I couldn't understand.
I no longer wonder. l know now that
she must have hated you with all the
/ SIT6QRLn u nCE 6O4A GO4s uOH Sue
must have hated to feel the touch OF
your hands upon her bodyi Something
tells me she left you, and If she did,
hope she afterwards found someone
who-but no, won't say it Even now
haven't the heart to hurt you by say
> ing that" He stopped, choking VI
with the rush Of bitter words We'll
why don't you say something?"
I'm giving you your innings &C
on?" said Brood softly.
she must have loved you once-ol
she wouldn't have married you She
must have loved you or I wouldn't be
here in this world She"
l Hal" came sharply from BroOd'E
: stih lips
i didn't find you out until it wa
too late. She was lovely, know. She
, was sweet and gentle and she loEee
] happiness I can see that in her face
J in her big, wistful eyes You
, Whats this?" demanded Brood
t startled What are you saytng?-
: ooh I've got her Dortrait-an OLD