The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1906-10-13
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! The Experiment Of Mrs. Hardinnan !
: By Nellie CraUey Gilmore :
By Nellie CraUey Gilmore

Mrs Hardiman was trembling VIC
lently when she reached the top Or
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
white face and tell-tale eyes. IL was
the supreme hour Of her life, she fell.
1t was to be the elimination or months
Of an almost too daring experlmesNt.
but if through the risk, her art shosda
triumph, she might count as nothlhs
the breath Of gossip that was ALREADY
beginning to stir insidiously.
The office boy was not on duty.
She knocked timidly on Trenners prl-
yate office door. There was no re-
spense, and she raped again. sun
no answer, and the blood tided TO her
face. Here was an unlooked-tor Gill
Guilty. She dropped into chair ana
glanced about the room little be-
wildered. What if she should be de-
feated after all her pains.
There were a number Of amateurlsh
sketches done in oil with which Ifen-
ner had chosen to ornament his walls,
and Mrs. Hardiman amused hefseH
by walking about from one to the
other, trying to decipher the subjects.
In the corner of each were the Initials
e. H. T. His wife, in ali 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
said it was because she was crazy;
the other half said they were not sur
prised that she was unable to live
with a husband like him. Mrs. Hardl-
man confessed herself supremely in
different upon the question.
Presently a shadow cut across the
light in front of her and she turned
with a little startled gesture that was
Trenner came into the room with
his customary air of elaboration 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.
81 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 Impotence
and followed.
Il want to ask you question" she
began without preface, the belliger-
ence of her attitude at once unmis-
She hesitated a moment, scrutiniz-
ing him through half-shut lashes, her
lips compressed.
Trenner endured her eyes for
but presently began to be IN
and prompted her.
s'Well?" he said.
Have you been misinformed in re
gard to met she asked, in a cold
voice.
Il have never been Informed Of you
at all" was the stiff reply.
Then ! was personally responsible
for your act Of yesterday"
we 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:
II am afraid, though, that you have
made mistake. "A miscalcula-
ton"
Il think not. A man seldom does
under certain conditions"
Mrs. Hardiman felt the blood flame
to her face in scorching wave.
Men are profound egotists,' she cut
IN sharply, ''and demand an apology
sorSyour conduct toward me-"
Trener smiled, increased his knees
and sat up quite straight in his chair.
MY dear lady," he said, with great
Difference, eff I have offended you, I
most humbly beg your pardon
If. You are sure of it, are you
not?" She bent toward him excitedly.
"I-well, perhaps I ought to be, but
I'm not" he returned, candidly, his
aemeanor netting the woman almost
beyond endurance.
You took advantage of me-of-
Of the situation, she cried.
How is tllat?" he questioned, with
4 faint show of interest.
THE office boy was-there-in the
next room. ] was obliged to keep
silent, lest there should be a nliscon-
she cried.
Il was not aware that I did any,
hing to occasion your indignation"
ne persisted, imperturbably.
THAT is not true" she jerked out,
struggling hard to keep her mastery.
Trenner shrugged AMI laughed soft
".
again I beg your pardon" he re-
oeated, with mock humility.
Mrs. Hardiman bit her lips. her fin
gers clenching themselves in her lap.
You are perfectly aware of the fact
hat you-that what you tried to do
was against my will?" she went on.
breathing tensely.