davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16
CHAPTER III.
The Bride.

tU0 0Ut00s
Frederic fatty refused to meet the
steamer when she locked. As II
swayed by his decision. Dawes and
Riggs likewise abandoned a plan to
greet the returning master and his
bride as they came down the gang
plank. But for the almost peremp-
tory counsel of Mrs. Desmond. Brood's
son would have absented himself from
the house on the day of their arrival.
Jones and q footman went to the pier
with the chauffeur.
1t was half-past two in the after
noon when the automobile drew up
In front of the house and the fur
coated footman nimbly hoped down
and threw open the door.
James Brood, q tall, distinguished
looking man Of fifty, stepped out Of
the limousine. For an instant, before
turning to assist his wife from the car,
he allowed his keen eyes to sweep the
windows on the lower floor. In one
Of them stood his son. holding the lace
curtains apart and smiling a welcome
that seemed sincere. He waved his
hand to the man on the sidewalk.
Brood responded with a swift, almost
perfunctory gesture and then held out
his hand to the woman who was de-
scending.
Frederic's intense gaze was fixed
on the stranger who was coming into
his life. At q word from Brood, she
glanced up at the window. The smile
still fingered on the young mans lips.
but his eyes were charged with an
expression of acute wonder. He had
never looked upon q more beautiful
creature in alb his life. A kind of stu
pefaction held him motionless until he
heard the door close behind them; in
the brief interval. however, a picture
had been impressed upon his senses
that was to last forever.
She was slightly above the medium
height. slender and graceful even in
the long, thick coat that enveloped
her. She did not wear a veil. He had
a swift but enduring glimpse of a Gu
riously pallid, perfectly modelled face;
of jet black hair; of a firm, sensitive
chin. Somehow he received the ex.
traordinary impression that the slim,
1.-the body was never cold; that she
expressed in some indefinable way
the unvarying temperature of youth.
He hurried into the hall. driven BY
the latent spur of duty. He heard his
fathers warm. almost gay response to
the greetings Of the old men, whose
hands he wrung with a fervor that
was unmistakable. He heard him
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

room was darkened by means OF
neavy window hangings: the effect
was that produced BY the gloaminR
just before the stars appear. Objects
were shadowy. indistinct, mysterious.
The light from the jade-room door
threw q diverging ray across the full
length OF the room. In the very CEN
Ter OF this bright strip sat . placid
emgy of Buddha that Brood had found
IN q remote corner Of Siam. serenely
stolid on top of its thick base Of
bronze and lacquer. with q shining
shrine for a background. In the dim
edge of the shadow. near the door at
the far end Of the room. Lydia made
out the motionless. indistinct figure Of
woman. The faint outlines Of the
face were discernible but not 20 the
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

after prolonged separations. 70 look
for something in the boys race tnat
he wanted to see and yet dreaded.
something that might have escaped
him when in daily contact with him.
Now, at the end of the rather omen
sive scrutiny, he seemed to shake bis
head slightly. although one couio not
have been sure.
And as charming as she Is attrac-
tive, Frederic" he said. with a faint
flush of the enthusiasm he suppressed.
who is she?" asked his son. with
out realizing the bluntness OF bis
eager question.
who is she?" repeated his father.
raising his eyebrows slightly. She
is Mrs. James Brood"
IL beg your pardon" stammered
Frederic. Il didn't mean to put 1t
in that way. Who was she! Where
did you meet her and-Oh. l want to
know all there is to tell. father. I've
heard nothing. l am naturally curl
GUS"
Brood stopped him with gesture.
"She was Yvonne Lestrange. before
we were NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Le-
strange. We met some time ago at
the house of a mutual friend In Paris
assure you. her references are all
that could be desired" His tone was
sarcastic.
Frederic flushed. I'm sorry l asked
the questions, sir" he said. stifly.
Brood suddenly laughed. a quiet
laugh that had some trace Of humor
and q touch of compunction in 1t. Il
beg your pardon. Frederic. Come up
to my room and smoke q cigar with
me while I'm changing. I'll tell you
about her. She Is wonderful"
To his own surprise. and to Fred.
cries establishment, he linked his arm
in the young mans and started toward
the hall. Afterward Brood was to won.
der even more than he wondered then
what it was that created the sudden
desire to atone for the hurt look he
had brought to the eyes Of Matilde's
son-and the odd longing to touch
his arm gently.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

II wouldn't try to get at it. my
DEAR" she said. wait and see. Come,
you must have your coffee. am
glad you came down early. The old
gentlemen are at breakfast now.
Come in"
He followed her dejectedly. a per
ceptible droOp to his shoulders.
Mr.. Dawes and Mr.. Riggs were seat.
ed at the table. Lydia, a trifle pale
and distract, was pouring out their
third cup Of coffee. The old men
showed no sign of their midnight ex.
perience. They we're very wide
awake. clear-eyed and alert, as old
men will be who do not count the
years of life left in the span appoint
ed for them.
"Goof morning. Freddy" said they.
almost In one voice. AS he passed
behind their chairs on his way to
Lydia's side, he slapped each Of them
cordially on the back. They seemed
to swell with relief and gratitude.
He was not in the habit of shaping
them on the back.
Good morning. gentlemen" said
he. Then he lifted Lydia's slim fin
gers to his lips. Good morning, dear.
She squeezed his fingers tightly and
smiled. A look Of relief leaped into
her eyes; she drew a long breath.
She poured his coffee for him every
morning. Her hand shook a little as
she lifted the tiny cream pitcher. Il
didn't sleep very WE'LL" she explained
In q low voice. His hand rested on
her shoulder for moment in a gentle
caress.
Poor old JIM" sighed Mr.. Dawes.
He'll probably have to ask us to va
NOSE, too. ! imagine she'll insist on
making a spare bedroom out of our
room. SOS she can entertain all of her
internal relations. Jones, will you
give me some more bacon and another
egg?"
And I thought 1t was nothing but
shipwreck," murmured Mr.. Riggs.
plaintively.
Frederic hurried through breakfast.
Lydia followed him into the library.
Are you going out. dear?" she
asked anxiously.
"Yes. I've got to do something.
can't sit still and think of what's 60
ing to happen. Ill be back for lunch
con-"
Half an hour later he was in the
small bachelor apartment of two col
lege friends. a few blocks farther up
town. and he was doing the thing he
did nearly every day of his life in q
surreptitious way. He sat at the
cheap upright piano in their disor-
dered living-room and, unhampered by
the presence of young men who pre-
ferred music as 1t is rendered for the
masses. played as II his very soul was
in his fingers.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

ing about the room with eyes tina,
seemed to take in everything.
Il am sure shall be very happy In
this dear old house." she said quietly
Your own mother must have loved It.
Frederic"
James Brood started. Unnoticed by
the others. his fingers frightened on
the gloves he carried in his hand.
Il never knew my mother" said
the young man. "She died when
was a baby"
But Of course this was her home
was 1t not?"
Il don't know" said Frederic. un
comfortably. Il suppose so. IL came
here few years ago and"
But even though you never knew
her. there must still be something
here that-that-how shall say 1t!
I mean, you must feel that she and
you were here together years and
years ago. One may never have seen
his mother, yet he can always feel
her. There is something-shall say
spiritual-in-"
Her husband broke in upon these
unwelcome reflections. His voice was
curiously harsh.
MRS. Desmond is waiting, Yvonne.'
She drew herself up. Are you In
such great haste, Mrs. Desmond?" she
asked in a voice that cut like q knife
Instinctively, she glanced at Fred
cries face. She saw the muscles OF
the jaw harden and an angry light
leap into his eyes. Instantly her AFRO
gance fell away. Il beg your pardon
Mrs. Desmond. have many bad hab
its. Now will you kindly show me
to my room? l prefer that you and
not Of the servants should be my
guide. Au revoir. Frederic. Till tea
time. James"
Her eyes were sparkling. her husky
voice once more full of the appealing
quality that could not be denied. The
flush of injured pride faded from Mrs
Desmond's brow, and a faint look OF
surprise crept into her eyes. To her
further amazement. the younger WON
an laid hand upon her arm and gave
1t a gentle, friendly pressure.
The men watched them in silence as
they left the room. side by side. A
moment later they heard the sof,
| laughter of the two women as they
mounted the stairs together.
Frederic drew a long breath.
she's splendid. father" he said
impulsively.
Brood's face was still clouded. He
did not respond to the eager tribute
Father and son faced each other
They were a striking pair. each In
his way an example of fine. clean
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16
CHAPTER Ii-Continued.

1T proves that your father has made
no mistake in selecting his friends. my
dear. My dear husband used to say
that he would cheerfully die for James
Brood and he knew that James Brood
would have died for him just as read
lily. There Is something in friendships
Of that sort that we can't understand.
We have never been able to test our
friends. much less ourselves. We"
Il would die for you, Mrs. Des-
mond." cried Frederic. a deep flush
overspreading his face. For you and
Lydia"
You come by that naturally" she
said. laying her hand upon his arm.
Blood will tell. Thank you, Fred
eric" She smiled. Il am sure 1t will
not be necessary for you to die for
me. however. As for Lydia. you must
live, not die for her."
I'll do BOTH" he cried. impulsively.
Forgive me-"
There Is nothing to forgive" she
said simply. And now, one word
more. Frederic. You must accept this
new condition of affairs in the right
spirit. Your father has married again,
after all these years. 1t Is not likely
that he has done 80 without delibera-
ton. Therefore, It is reasonable to
assume that he is bringing home with
him q wife of whom he at least is
proud. and that should weigh con.
siderably in your summing up of the
situation. She will be beautiful. &C.
complished, tsfined-and good, Fred.
eric. OF that you may be sure. Let
me implore you to withhold judgment
until another and later day."
Il do not object to the situation,
Mrs. Desmond" said he. the angry
light returning to his eyes. so much
~ ! resent the wording of that tele.
gram. It Is always just that way. He
loses no chance to humiliate me.
He"
Hush! You are losing your temper
again"
'well. who wouldn't? And here's
another thing-the very worst of all.
How ID this new condition going to
AFFECT you, Mrs. Desmond?"
She was silent for q moment. "Of
course ! shan't stay on here, Frederic.
shall not be needed now. As soon as
Mrs. Brood is settled here l shall &c"
And you expect me to be cheerful
and contented!" he cried. bitterly.
Something Of the Sort" she said.
my father objects to my going into
business or taking up q profession.
am dependent on him for everything.
But why 90 into that? We've talked
II over . thousand times. I don't un-
derstand but perhaps you do. It's q
dogs way Of living"
"Your father is making a man Of
you"
"Oh. he 10. eh?" with great scorn.
Yes. He will make you see some
day that the kind Of life you lead IL
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

manhood. The father was taller by q
couple Of inches than the son, and yet
Frederic was nearly six feet in his
stockings. Both were spare men,
erect and gracefully proportioned
Brood gave out the impression OF
great strength, Of steel sinews, of in.
vincible power; Frederic did not sug
gest physical strength, and yet he was
a clean-limbed. well-built fellow. He
had a fine head. a slim body whose
every movement proclaimed nervous
energy, and face that denoted tenn.
permanent of the most pronounced
character. It was not a strong face
nor was 1t weak: 1t represented char.
acter without force.
On the other hand, James Brood's
lean. handsome face was full OF
power. His gray eyes were keen
steady. compelling and seldom alieht
with warmth. His Jaw was firm
square. resolute. and the lines that
sank heavily into the flesh in his
cheeks were put there not by age but
by the very vigor of manhood. His
hair was quite gray.
Frederic waited for his father 70
speak. But James Brood had moth
ing to say. She is very attractive
father" said the young man at last
almost wistfully. He did not realize
it. but he was cropping for sympathy
Brood had been in the house for q
quarter Of an hour, after an absence
Of nearly year. yet his greeting had
been cold, casual, matter-of-fact. Fred
eric expected little more than that:
still he felt in vague way that now
II never again. the ice of reserve
might be broken between them II
only for moment. He was ready and
willing to do his part.
Brood was studying the young mans
face with an intensity that for the
moment disconnected him. He seemed
bent on fixing certain features in his
minds eye. as il his memory had once
played him false and should not do
so again. 1t was q habit of Brood's,
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

and ] could patch a pair Of officers
trousers so neatly that you could not
tell where the patch was. And. what
was more difficult still. could darn a
hole near tie neckband of shirt so
that you could not tell there had ever
been any hole: in fact. 1t IL due to
this experience Of mine that I have
never employed q maid.
And learned to cook. too. And to
this day love to do It do not cook
In the American. but in the Austrian
style; but everybody who tries my
cooking knows II Is Ill right Very
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

oot the kind you want. Your pride.
your ambition will rebel Then you
will make something out of life for
yourself"
We'll. 1t looks to me as IL he means
to make 1t impossible for me to marry,
Mrs. Desmond. I've thought Of it q
good DEAL"
And Is It impossible?"
mo. I shall marry Lydia. even
though ] have to dig in the streets
tor her. II isn't that. however. There's
some other reason back of bis atti-
tude. but for the life OF me l can't
get at It."
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

often when visitors come to my house
in Chicago l am very sorry: but I
cannot see them because l have my
apron on and am in the kitchen. cook
ing.
| found that work about the homo
developed In me constitution that
has been one of my most valuable pos
sessions. There is no work that does
more to promote health in girl.
sweeping. wrestling with q feather
bed. or pushing furniture out of the
way while she sweeps, deSelops her
back and her bust at the ssme time.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

fed to have every complaint answered
by wavings of the guf-rand old ful-lag.
who votes for the glorious old party Of
What's-his-name because his father
did. and who il afraid that anything
and everything that has not been done
before will disturb business. He u
the JOY Of the professional politician
and the despair Of those eccentric
souls who believe that because some
thing ought to be done they ought to
try to do It
"AlthougS indigenous to all local.
ties. he - especially and painfully
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

Said q society woman at . mu-
sicale at her Fifth avenue house:
New York society 10 less given to
lion hunting than London society.
There ID q countess in London who 10
such Q Hon hunter that . man once
said Of her: Why. she always has
the most fashionable surgeon Of the
hour to carve her Christmas turkey
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16
SINGERS RECIPE FOR HEALTH
Nine. sehumann-tielnk. operatie Star.
Recommends Housework for
American Girls.

Ny mother was fine lady re-
member her. with her little fine hands
and her little feet But she never
had . maid. and 90 she had to do
everything herself She thought It did
not harm . daughter of a major or .
captain to do her own work. From her
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

features. For q moment the girl stared
at the watcher and then advanced to
the door.
who Is it," she inquired, peering.
A low. husky voice replied, with .
suggestion Of laughter in the tones.
Il am exploring the house."
Lydia came forward at once. "Oh.
1t is Mrs. Brood. I beg your pardon.
Shall l switch on the lights!"
you are Lydia?"
yes, Mrs. Brood"
II have been prowling everywhere.
Your good mother deserted me when
my maid arrived with Ranjab q short
time ago. Isn't this the dreadful blue
beard room? Shall lose my head Il
am discovered by the ogre?"
The girl felt the spell stealing over
her. The low veice of the woman In
the shadow was like Q sensuous ca
ress. She experienced . sudden long
ing to be closer to the speaker. to
listen for the very intake Of her
breath.
You have already been discovered
by the ogre. Mrs. Brood" said Lydia,
gayly. and your head appears to b
quite SAFE"
Thank you." rather CURLY. a. II 70
polling familiarity. 1t was like dash
of cold water to Lydia's spirits. You
may turn on the lights. I should like
to see you. Miss Desmond"
The girl crossed the room. passing
close to the stranger. in the house.
The fragrance Of . perfume hitherto
unknown to her separated itself from
the odor Of sandalwood that always
filed the room; It was soft, delicate.
refreshing. 1t was like Q breath Of
cool. sweet air fltering into . close.
stuffy room. One could not help draw.
ing In Q long. full breath, - II the
lungs demanded its revivifying quail.
ties.
A soft, red glow began to MI the
room as Lydia pulled the cord near
the door. As the light grew brighter
and brighter the eyes Of the strangeE
swept the room with undisguised won
der in their depths.
How extraordinary" she muir.
INJURED. and then turned swiftly toward
the girl. Where does It come from I
I can see no lights. And see! There
are no shadows, not even beneath the
table yonder. lit II uncanny-but.
oh, how lovely!"
Lydia was staring at her with Wide.
open eyes, frankly astonished. The
eager, excited CLEAN vanished from
Mrs. Brood's lovely eyes. They mar
rowed ever 90 slightly.
why do you stare at met" she Dc.
manded.
IL expected" began Lydia. and
stopped in pretty confusion.
Il see. You expected . middle-aged
lady. ale? And why, pray. should
James Brood marry . middleAged
person?"
II don't know. I'm sorry II
have offended you"
Mrs. Blood smiled, q gay, pleased
little smile that revealed her small,
even teeth. you haven't offended
me, my DEAR" she said. you offend
my husband by thinking 30 iii Of him.
that's ALL" She took the girl in from
head to foot with critical eyes. He
said you were very pretty and very
lovable. You are lovely. No one
wants to be pretty. Yes. You are Just
what l expected"
Lydia was the taller Of the two
women; q matter of two inches per
haps, and yet she had the curious feel
ing that she was looking upward q
she gazed into the others eyes. II
was the way Mrs. Brood held herself
Sending a swift glance around the
room. she went on: my husband de-
lights in having beautiful things about
him. He doesn't like the ugly thingl
of this world"
| (TO BE CONTINUED.)
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16
What the TrosIodyte 10, and Why.

"A troglodyte. my son." said
Fuller Gloom. lis a mossgrown. sta
uonary gentleman who believes that
ambitious nations will live up to treat
les because they have signed them.
VINO lives In abiect terror Of being IN
constitutional. who IL perfectly salts
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

and makes her fit to fight the world.
strongly recommend that kind Of
work to all American girls.-Mme.
Scnumann-Heink in the Saturday
Evening Post.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

prevalent in the swamps Of Arkansaa
and the jungles Of Wall street.
Kansas City Star.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

According 70 the Times.
Il say, old boy, have you Q fiver to
lend for . week or so?"
Here's Q church member note"
What kind might that be?"
"One that IL bound to keep lent"
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

"Squabbling and fghting-there's
another very frequent cause Of d.
vorce." said Prof. L. Watts Ingersoll.
In an address before the Cleveland
Antidivorce league.
"A man had been hailed before q
Cleveland magistrate for nonsupport
or some such fault.
But, let me see.' the Judge said.
aren't you the chap who was married
In q cage Of wild man-eating tigers
and leopards?'
"'Yes. your honor. I'm the man.
was the reply.
Exciting. wasn't it, said the jus
tice.
well, your honor said the man.
1t seemed 20 then. 1t wouldn't now -
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16
FREE ADVICE
TO SICK WOMEN
Women suffering from any form Of
female ills are invited % communicate

!: ! ! J ! !
~ promptly with the
ENH woman's private
: MN correspondence de-
4 ~ partment Of the Ly-
~ dia E. Pinkham Med
icine Co., Lynn,
- W Mas. Your letter
y AM win be opened, read
ESN and answered by .
Vkkio11 woman and held In
lidence. A woman can freely
n private illness to . woman /;
been established Q confidential
dence which has extended over
~ and which has never been
Never have they published .
n or used . letter without the
onsent Of the writer, and never
company allowed these conf
tiers to get out Of their pos
y the hundreds Of thousands
D their files will attest
he vast volume Of experience
y have to draw from, It ID moro
bile that they possess the very
. needed In your case. Moth
ed in return except your good
their advice has helped thou
urely any woman, rich or poor,
glad to take advantage Of this
offer Of assistance. Address
Pinkham Medicine Co, ICON
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woman ought to have
3. Pinkham,s 0O-pago
,0k. It IL not . book for
distribution, ~ IL II too
70. 1t f. free and only
Die by mail. Write for
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

Betty and two Of her playmates
spent an hour shaking Betty's bank
and then rushed to the corner store
with the single coin they were able
to entice through the slot.
What's for you, little ones?" asked
the storeman.>
Throwing the. coin on the low glass
case. Betty replied with an air Of con.
tented Indifference: ~
Our folks are all rich. Jiat give
us q cents worth of any kind or
candy"
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

It's q great old world. and II there's
4 better we've never been in It.
Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16
SYNOPSIS.

In the New York home OF James Brood
Dawes and Riggs. his two old pensioners
and comrades, await the coming OF
Broods son Frederic to learn the contents
of wireless from Brood. but Frederic:
after reading. throws II into the fire and
leaves the room without a word Frederic
tells Lydia Desmond. his fiancee. that the
message announces his fathers marriage
and orders the house prepared for an I'm
mediate Homecoming.