The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-05-14
CHAPTER TX.
The Sorceress.

The next day, after sleepless night,
Frederic announced to his stepmother
that he could no longer remain under
his fathers roof: He would find some
thing to do in order to support him.
self 1t was impossible to go on pre-
tending that he loved or respected his
father, and the sooner the farce was
ended the better it would be for both
of them.
She, too, had passed restless night,
a night filed with waking dreams as
we'll as those which came in sleep.
There was always an ugly, wriggly
kris IN those dreams OF hers, and
brown hand that was forever fascinat-
ing her with its uncanny dizziness.
Twice in the night she had clutched
her husbands shoulder in the terror
of dream, and he had soothed her
with the comfort of his strong arms.
She was like little child afraid of
the dark
Her influence alone prevented the
young man from carrying out his
threat. At first he was as firm as a
rock in his determination. He was
getting his few possessions together
in his room when she tapped on his
door After a while he abandoned the
task and followed her rather dazedly
to the boudoir, promising to listen to
reason. For an hour she argued and
pleaded with him, and in the end he
agreed to give up what she was
pleased to call his preposterous plan.
Now, that being settled" she said,
with a sigh of relief, let us go and
talk it all over with Lydia
He started guiltily. 'Td-I'd rather |
not, Yvonne," he said. There's no |
use worrying her with the thing now.
As a matter of fact, I'd prefer that
she-er--well, somehow 1 don't like
the idea of explaining matters to her."
She was watching him narrowly. at
has seemed to me of late, Frederic,
that you and Lydia are not quite So
what shall / say?-so enamored of
each other. What has happened?" she
inquired so innocently, so naively.
hat he looked at her in establishment.
4 am sure you fairly live at her house.
You are there nearly every day, and
/ can feel rather than see
he change in both of you. l hope"
1--WE been behaving like an Internal
neak, Yvonne," cried he, conscience
tricken. shes the finest, noblest
.irl in all this world, and I've been
reating her shamefully"
Dear me! In what way, may
nquire?" 4
why we used to-oh, but why go !
lto all that? 1t would only amuse
ou You'd laugh at us for silly fools l
tut | can't help saying this much !
he doesn't deserve to be treated as
m treating her now, Yvonne. It's
urting her dreadfully and"
She laughed softly. I'm afraid you !,
re seeing too much of your poor
she said. '
His eyes narrowed. You've made .
e over, that's true. You've made all :
! us over--the house as well. | am
,ed to make me happy to be with h
ydia-and we were always together. 4
ut II don't care now-at least, / 2
n not unhappy when we are apart.
ou've done it, Yvonne. You've made "
e worth living. You've made me n
e everything differently. You"
She stood up, facing him. She APP r,
AIRED to be frightened
Are you trying to tell me that hi
u are in rove with me?' she de-
anded, and there was no longer
3ckery, raillery in her voice.
His eyes swept her from head to
ot He was deathly white. m
IF you were not my fathers wife In
would say yes said he. hoarscly. 81