Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-06-11

are young, you are trusting Your lee
son will cost you a great deal. my
dear"
You are mistaken. do understand
myself" she said gravely. May J
speak plainly, Mr.. Brood?"
Certainly. / intend to speak plain
ly to you"
Frederic loves me. He does not
love Yyonne. He is fascinated, as
also am fascinated by her, and you
too. Mr.. Brood. The spell has fallen
over all Of Us. Let mi go or, please.
You say that Frederic loves like MS
father before him. That Is true. DC
loves but one woman. You love Dut
one woman, and she is dead. You Will
always love her. Frederic is Ike you.
He loves Yvonne as you do-on'
know It hurts! She cast her spell over
YOU. why not over him? Is he stronger
than you? Is it strange tnat sno
should attract him as she attracteu
you? You glory in her beauty, neF
charm, her perfect loneliness. and YET
you love-yes love, Mr.. Brood-the
woman who was Fredeic's mother. DO
| make my meaning plain? Well, SO II
Is that Frederic loves me. | am con-
tent to wait. l know he loves me.
Through all this. Brood stared at
her in sheer establishment. He had no
feeling of anger, no resentment no
thought of protest.
"You-you astound me. Lydia. 10
this your own impression or has u
been suggested to you by-by an
other?"
| 81 am only agreeing with you when
YOU say that he loves as his father
loved before him-but not lightly. An.
, not lightly, Mr.. Brood"
, "You don't know what you are say
! ing" he muttered.
"Oh. yes, | do" she cried earnestly.
"You invite my opinion; ! trust you
will accept it for what 1t is worth. BE-
fore you utter another word against
Frederic, let me remind you that
have known both of you for a long.
long time. In all the years ! have
been in this house, | have never known
you to grant him a tender. loving
word. My heart has ached for him.
There have been times when | almost
hated you. He feels your neglect
your harshness, your-your cruelty
He"
! "Cruelty!"
1T is nothing less. You do not like
him. I cannot understand why you
should treat him as you do. He shrinks
fror, you. Is it right, Mr.. Brood, that
a son should shrink from his father as
!. q dog cringes at the voice of an un-
kind master? might be able to un'
! derstand your attitude toward him II
your ~unkindness was of recent origin,
but"
: Recent origin?" he demanded
quickly.
III 1t had begun with the advent Vt
Mrs. Brood" she explained frankly.
\ undismayed by his scowl. Il do not
! understand all that has gone before. Is
1t surprising, Mr.. Brood, that your
son finds 1t difficult to love you? Do
Of you deserve"
Brood stopped her with a gesture Of
his hand.
% "The time has come for frankness
20 on my part. You set me an example.
- Lydia. You have the courage OF your
y father. For months ! have had it in
my mind to tell you the truth about
Frederic, but my courage has always
~ failed me. Perhaps l use the wrong
rs word. 1t may be something very un'
- Nike cowardice that has held me back
l am going to put a direct question ia
you first Of all, and ! ask you to an
~ swer truthfully. Would you say that
Frederic is like-that is, resembles his
& father?" He was leaning forward, his
manner intense.
Lydia was surprised. What an ode
thing to say! OF course he resembles
30 his father. ! have never seen a por
trait of his mother, but"
"You mean that he looks like me?'
a demanded Brood.
in. when he is angry he is very mucl
like you, Mr.. Brood. l have often won
aid dered why he is unlike you at othe
times. Now I know. He Is like hi
led mother. She must have been lovely
gentle, patient"
his wait! Suppose / were to tell yo'
II that Frederic Is not my son."
I'm. 81 should not believe you, Mi
'er- Brood" she replied fatty. What is
to- that you are trying to say to me"
'eil "Will you understand II | say to 20
MS that-Frederic is not my SOM"
b Her eyes filled with horror. "Ho,
can you say such a thing, Mr.. Brood
eat He Is your son. How can you say
: "His father was the mar who wrot
not the accursed waltz he has just bee
playing! Could there be anythin
oul' more devilish than the conviction
4. carries? After all these years, he
DO stop, Mr.. Brood"
Id 81 am sorry II hurt you, Lydia. Yc
'uld have asked me why | hate him. Nee
yet l say anything more?"
Is 81 do not believe all that you ha,
told me. He Is your on. He Is, M
ing Brood"