The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-06-03
Tney were aions IN his room. n


with her" he said deiantly. lie 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.
II may interest you to know that ! In
tend to marry Lydia this very day"
Brood advanced few steps toward
him. In the subdued light OF the room
his features were not clearly dis
tinguishable. His face was gray and
shadowy; only the eyes we're sharply
defined. They glowed like points OF
light. unhickering.
Il shall be sorry for Lydia" he said
levelly
"You needn't be-" said Frederic hot
ly. "She understands everything"
Have you told her that you love her
and no one else7"
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 Frederic's
llps, low and menacing.
you have always considered your
self to be my son. haven't your" pur'
sued Brood deliberately. "Can you say
to me that you have behaved OF late as
son should"
"Waitl We1l settle that point right
now. l did lose my head. Head, say,
not heart. shan't attempt to explain
Il can't. for that matter. AS for
Yvonne-well. she's as good as gold.
She understands me better than l un-
derstand myself. She knows that even
honest men lose their heads some
times. can say to you now that |
would sooner have cut my own throat
than to do moro than envy you the
possession OF one you do not de-
serve have considered myself
your SON have no apology to make
for my-we1l call It .infatuation.
shall only admit that II has existed
and that | have despaired. AS God Is
my witness. have never loved any
one but Lydia. | have given her pain
and the amazing part OF It is that
can't help myself Naturally. you can't
understand what II all means. You are
, not a young man any longer. You
, cannot understand"
Good God!" burst from Broods lips
, Then he laughed aloud-grotesquely
"Yvonpe is the most wonderful thina
), that has ever come into my life.
,. adored her the instant saw her.
have felt sometimes that knew her {
thousand years age have felt tha
: I loved her thousand years ago" 4
calm seriousness now attended hi
= speech. In direct contrast to the violen
mood that had gone before. II hav'
thought OF little else but her. ! con
fess II to you. But through It all ther,
. has never been an instant in which
did not worship Lydia Desmond. i
do not pretend to account for II.
is beyond me-"
Brood waited patiently to the enc
"Your mother before you had som'
D." what similar afiiiction." he said, sti
. in the steady. repressed voice. PEI
: haps II is a gift--a convenient gift
this ability to worship without effort.
Better leave my mother out Of It,
. said Frederic sarcastically. look G
a wonder leaped to his .yes. That
= the first time you've condesceidsi
:, acknowledge that | ever had
y mother"
y Broods smile was deadly. III 20
- have anything more to say to me, 20
=, would better get II over with. Purg
:, your soul of all the gall that embltter
- 1t. | grant you that privilege. TAX
- your innings"
spasm OF pain crossed Frederic
/. face. "Yes. am entitled to my Il
. nings. I'll go back to what ! said dow
. stairs. | thought | loved and honore
~ you last night. I would have forgive
everything II you had granted me
riendly-friendly. that's adjust
- friendly word. You denied"
,h Il suppose you want me to belle,
- that It was love for me that brougl
"a you Sinking to the theater." said Il
- other ironically.
40 81 don't expect you to believe an
ar thing. l was lonely. ] wanted to
or with you and Yvonne. Can't you u
derstand how lonely I've been all n
life? Can't you understand how hu
cry am for the affection that eve
other boy I've known has had from
parents? I've never asked you abo
my mother. | used to wonder go'
-,o deal. Every other boy had a mother.
-. never had one. couldn't understan
aa no longer wonder. know now tn
~ she must have hated you with all Il
=, strength of her soul God. how q
-, must have hated to feel the touch
-. your hands upon her body! Somethil
-. tells me she left you. and II she did
'' hope she afterwards found someo
who-but no. won't say II. Even nc
.es haven't the heart to hurt you by 81
Ut ing that" He stopped. choking
an with the rush OF bitter words. I'VE
i' Why don't you say something?"
I'm giving you your innings
we on?" said Brood softly.
tn "She must have loved you once
I'VE she wouldn't have married you. s