The Carlisle independent., 1915-04-22
CHAPTER K.
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 It 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 a restless night, night filled 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 a brown hand that was forever fascinat- ing her with it's uncanny deftness. Twice in the night she had clutched her husbands shoulder in the terror of a 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 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 "pd-Pd rather not, Yvonne," he said There's no use worrying her with the thing now. As matter of fact. I'd prefer that she-er-well, somehow I don't like the idea of explaining matters to her"
 She was watching him narrowly. Tt has seemed to me of late, Frederic, that you and Lydia are not quite SO what shall l say?-so enamored Of each other What has happened?" she inquired so innoeently, so naively, that he looked at her in astonishment "I am sure you fairly live at her house You are there nearly every day, and yet-well, l can feel rather than see the change in both of you. I hope"
 i've been behaving like an internal sneak, Yyonne," cried he, conscience stricken. She's the finest, noblest girl in all this world and I've been treating her shamefullv"
 Dear me! In what way. may | inquire?"
 Why we used to-oh. but why go into all that? It would only amuse you. You'd laugh at us for silly fools But I can't help saying this much she doesn't deserve to be treated as I'm treating her now, Yvonne. It's hurting her dreadfully and"
 She laughed softly. I'm afraid you are seeing too much of your poor stepmother," she said.
 His eyes narrowed. You've made me over, that's true. You've made all of us over-the house as well. I am not happy unless am with you It used to make me happy to be with Lydia-and we were always together. But I--I don't care now-at least, am not unhappy when we are apart. You've done it. Yvonne. You've made life worth living. You've made me see everything differently You-'
 She stood up, facing him. She ap- peared to be frightened.
 Are you trying to tell me that you are in love with me?" she de. manded, and there was no longer mockery, raillery in her voice.
 His eyes swept her from head to foot He was deathly white.
 "K you were not my fathers wife would say yes," said he. hoarsely.