Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-07-16

most stunning him with its velocity.
we go tomorrow" she cried out,
in an ecstasy Of triumph. She was
convinced that he would go! La
Provence!"
Good God in heaven!" he gasped,
dropping suddenly into a chair and
burying his face in his shaking hands
What viii this mean to Lydia-what
will she do-what will become OF herr"
A CULVER of pain crossed the wom-
ans face, her eyelids fell as II to shut
out something that shamed her In
spite OF all her vainglorious protesta-
tons. Then the spirit of exaltation re-
sumed its sway.
You cannot marry Lydia now" she
said, affecting a sharpness OF tone that
caused him to shrink involuntarily, 1T
Is your duty to write her a letter to-
night, explaining all that has hap
pened today. She would sacrifice her
self for you today. but there is-to-
morrow! A thousand tomorrows, Fred.
eric. Don't forget them, my dear.
They would be ugly after all, and she
is too good, too fine to be dragged
into"
you are right" he exclaimed, leap
ing to his feet, 1T would be the vilest
act that a man could perpetrate.
Why-why it would be proof Of what
he says Of met would stamp me
forever the bastard he-No. no. | could
never lift my head again II | were to
do this utterly vile thing to Lydia. He
said to me here-not an hour ago
that he expected me to go ahead and
blight that loyal girls life, that !
would consider 1t q noble means Of
self-justilcation! What do you think
OF that? He But wait! What Is
this that we are proposing to do7
Give me time to think! Why-why,
l cant take you away from him,
Yvonnel God in heaven, what am |
thinking Of? Have I no sense OF
honor? Am /"
you are not his son." she said,
significantly.
But that Is no reason why I should
stoop to a foul trick like this. Do
do you know what you are suggest.
ing" He drew back from her with a
look Of disgust In his eyes. mo! I'm
not that vile! /"
Frederic, you must let me-"
II don't want to hear anything
more, Yvonne. What manner of won
an are you? He Is your husband, he
loves you, he trusts you-oh, yes, he
does! And you would leave him like
this? You would"
Hush! Not so loud" she cried, In
great agitation.
And lot me tell you somethinf
more. Although | can never MARI,
Lydia, by heaven, I shall love her t
the end of my life. l will not betra,
that love. To the end Of time she shall
know that my love for her Is real ant
true and"
Wait! Give me time to think" sh,
pleaded. He shook his head reso
lutely. do not Judge me too harshly
Hear what l have to say before yo'
condemn me | I'm not the vile cres
ture you think, Frederic. Walt! lie
me Think"
He stared at her for a moment !
deep p%erplexity, and then slowly dreN
near. 81 do not believe you mean t
do wrong-1 do not believe 1t OF you
You have been carried away by som
horrible"
Listen to me-" she broke In, fierce
ly. II would have sacrificed you-ay
sacrificed you, poor boy-for the 10,
it would give me to see James Broo'
grovel in misery for the rest OF hi
life. OH" She uttered a groan o
despair and self-loathing 80 deep ant
full Of pain that his heart was chilled
Good Lord. Yvonne!" he gasped
dumfounded.
do not come near me-" she crie'
out, covering her face with her hands
For a full minute she stood before him
straight and rigid as a statue, a tragi
figure he was never to forget. SUD
denly she lowered her hands. To nj
surprise, a smile was on her lips. "Yo'
would never have gone away with me
| know 1t now. All these months
have been counting on you for TIL
very hour-this eliminating hour-an'
now I realize how little hope | hav'
really had, even from the beginning
You are honorable. There have beel
times when my influence over you wa
such that you resisted only becaus
you were loyal to yourself-not I
Lydia, not to my ~husband-but t
yourself. ! came to this house wit
but one purpose in mind. | came her
to take you away from the man VIII
has always stood as your father.
would not have become your mistres
-pah! how loathsome It sounds! Blu
l would have enticed you away, be
lieving myself to be justified. woul
have struck James Brood that blow
He would have gone to his grave be
lieving himself to have been paid |
full by the son OF the woman he ha
degraded, by the boy he had reare
for the slaughter, by the blood"
I'm Gods name, Yvonne, what !
this you are saying? What have 20
against m~y-against him."
What! l shall come to that.
id MT ainn 10 cnnaldar all thu