Gilpin observer., 1906-11-08
The Experiment Of
Mrs. Hardiman.
BY NELLIE cRAvEY GILMORE.

the stairs, to the left of which was
the door opening into the anteroom
of Trenner's Office. Several persons
passed her, and one or two looked
back half-curiously into the woman's s
white face and tell-tale eyes. 1t was
the supreme hour of her life, she felt.
1t was to be the elimination of months
of an almost too daring experiment;
but if through the risk, her art should
triumph, she might count as nothing
the breath OF gossip that was already
beginning to stir insidiously.
The Office boy was not on duty.
She knocked timidly on Trenner's pri-
vate office door. There was no re-
spcnse, and she raped again. Still
no answer, and the blood tided to her
face. Here was an unlooked-for diff
Guilty. She dropped into chair and
glanced about the room a little be-
wildered. What if she should be de-
feated after all her pains.
There were number of amateurish
sketches done in oil with which Tren-
ner had chosen to ornament his walls,
and Mrs. Hardiman amused herself
other, trying to decipher the subjects.
In the corner Of each were the initials
f. H. T. His wife, in all probability.
She remembered having heard that
Trenner had married some years ago,
but that for an as yet undiscovered
reason, he was not living with the
woman at present. Half the people
sh
the other half said they were not sur
prised that she was unable to live
with a husband like him. Mrs. Hardi-
man confessed herself supremely in
different upon the question.
Presently a shadow cut across the
light in front of her and she turned
with little startled gesture that was
unavoidable. <.-1
Trenner came into the room with
his customary air of deliberation and
stood drawing off his gloves placidly.
Will you be busy for the next half
hour?" Mrs. Hardiman asked, as he
questioned her with his uplifted brows.
Il am never busy-with the prospect
of your company before me-" he an
swered, laying his hat on a table and
moving toward the door of his Office.
Mrs. Hardiman dismissed his trite-
ness with little gesture of impatience
and followed.
Il want TO ask you a question" she
began without preface, the belliger-
.ence OF her attitude at once unmis-
taxable. -Ss2sss-s-o 49,
She hesitated a moment, scrutiniz-
ing him through half-shut lashes, her
lips compressed.
Trenner endured her eyes for
awhile, but presently began to be un-
comfortable and prompted her. -
"Well?" he said. -
Have you been misinformed in re-
gard to me?" she asked, in cold
voice.
Il have never been informed of you
at ALL was the stiff reply.
Then l was personally responsible
for your act OF yesterday"
I'VE are all personally responsible
for what happens to us, are we not?'
The woman was silent for mo.
ment. Her wits, usually keen and
quick. threatened to desert her in the
hour that she wanted them most
After pause, she spoke again:
Il am afraid, though. that you have
made a mistake. "A miscalcula
tion. -...,--,. .,-.-----1s..pErsys1
Il think not A man seldom does
under certain conditions"
Mrs, Hardiman felt the blood fame
to her face In a scorching wave.
Men are profound egotists," she cu
in sharply, and l demand an Apology
for Your conduct toward me-"
Trener smiled, uncrossed his knee.
and sat up quite straight in his chair
my dear lady," he said, with grea
Difference, IF have offended you,
most humbly beg Your pardon"
''lf. You are sure of It, are yol
not?" She bcnIt ward him excitedly
I-wef, perhaps | ought to be- bu
I'm not" he returned, candidly, hi
demeanor netting the woman amos
beyond endurance.
You took advantage of me-of-
OF the situation" she cried.
How Is tht?" he questioned, wit,
a faint show :" interest.
THE ofic, boy was-there-in tn
next room. was obliged TO kee
silent. lest there should be miscor
struction." she cried.
II was not aware that did an.
thing to occasion your indignation,
he persisted, imperturbably.
THAT Is not true" she jerked ou
struggling hard to keep her mrster.
Trenner shrugged AMI laagAed sof
ly.
Again beg your pardon" he r.
I, peated. with mock humility.
Mrs. Hardiman bit her lips, her A,
gers clenching themselves In her la
You are perfectly aware OF the fa'