Part 64 (2/2)

”No such thing,” argued Waldstricker, glad of an opportunity to air his favorite theory. ”Now Helen thinks the child's spoiled because she drops on the floor and kicks and cries until she gets what she wants. I tell her it's human nature, and perfectly right for my child to have her own way. Thank G.o.d, there's nothing in the world she can't have.”

Then looking from Frederick to his sister, he made a heavy attempt to be humorous.

”What's the matter of you two? You've been married longer than Helen and I. When are you going to start your family?”

Frederick maintained his pose of bored unconcern and an angry flush mounted to Madelene's face.

”You think you're smart, Eb,” she retorted. ”Fred's all the baby I can look after, and goodness knows he's trouble enough!”

”But, now, you're here, dear,” Mrs. Waldstricker extended the olive branch again, ”we'll help you look after him.... I do hope the weather'll clear so we can get out. The lake's been simply beautiful this summer.”

”Just after I returned from Europe, I tried to dispossess Deforrest,”

Ebenezer told Fred, ”but he beat me in court. I wanted to clean up the scandalous mess. I felt he was breaking G.o.d's law in harboring a woman of that kind. But I'm only biding my time.” His voice sank as he cast his eyes slowly from one to another, at last, fixing them ominously upon his wife. ”Biding my time,” he growled deeply, laying his napkin on the table.

The gloom of his manner spread over the diners like a cloud. Helen's face expressed consternation; Frederick's discouragement, and Madelene's impatience.

”I must say this is pleasant,” snapped Mrs. Graves. ”Ebbie, I forbid you to speak of those people again tonight.”

Helen made a little move as though to rise. In her capacity as peacemaker, it seemed advisable to change the scene of hostilities.

”Let's go to the drawing room,” she invited.... ”Fred, don't you think you'd better go to bed?”

”Yes, I'm all tired out. I think I will.”

At the drawing room door, he turned to the stairs.

”Good-night, all,” he added, and went slowly up to his room.

Reclining in a big chair, Frederick recalled the talk at the supper table and let his fancy rove in dreams of Tessibel and his son.

What a cruel persecutor Ebenezer was! How Helen had suffered during his outrageous harangue! The young man ground his teeth. So Ebenezer was but biding his time to do some terrible harm to Tessibel and her little boy, his boy! Frederick breathed deeply, and pressed his hand upon his heart.

Would the thing never stop beating that way! Would it never in this world quit that awful hurt when he thought of the squatter country! He undressed hastily and went to bed, nor did he speak when Madelene crept softly in beside him.

CHAPTER XL

HUSBAND AND WIFE

The next morning found Frederick Graves more nervous than ever. The weather had cleared. The air, washed by yesterday's downpour, came through the open window sweet to his nostrils. The countryside sparkled in the morning sun and the greens of the woods and fields were deeper and richer; but the beauty of the landscape touched him not. He'd scarcely slept, and when weariness had at last overcome him, his dreams had been filled with visions of a red haired girl, and a st.u.r.dy, handsome boy playing about upon the ragged rocks. When he came down to breakfast, Ebenezer told him he'd better see the doctor that day.

”You might go while Madelene and I are out this morning,” suggested Helen. ”Ah,” hearing a child's voice in the hall, ”here comes my baby!”

When the door opened, a little girl of three bounded in. Ebenezer held out his arms and Elsie sprang into them.

”Listen to Mrs. Waldstricker,” he laughed. ”She said, 'my baby,' and I say, she's mine.... Aren't you my baby, pet?”

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