Connecticut western news., 1919-10-30

CiiduueiS OI COdI ucdVeT, lrelRnL HHn- dler, shipping clerk and reporter its waters were sweetened by the inti- mate relationship which developed be- tween him and the members of the Duncan household. He continued his studies under MT. Duncan's direc- tions; two, three, and even four nights In the week found him at work in the comfortable den, or, during the warm weather, on the screened porch that overlooked the family garden. Mrs. Duncan, motherly, and yet not too motherly-she might almost have been an older sister-appealed to the young man as an ideal of womanhood. Her soft, well-modulated voice seemed to him to express the perfect harmony of the perfect home, and underneath its even tones he caught glimpses Of a reserve of power and judgment not easily unbalanced. And as Dave's eyes would follow her the tragedy of his own orphaned life bore down upon him and he rebelled that he had been denied the start which such mother could have given him.
 q am twenty years behind myself" he would reflect, with grim smile. "Never mind. I will do three mems work for the next ten, and then we will be even."
 And there was Edith-Edith who had burst so unexpectedly upon his life that first evening in her fathers home. He had not allowed himself any foolishness about Edith. It was evident Edith was pre-empted, just as he was pre-empted, and the part ot honor in his friends house was to rec ognize the status quo. Still, Mir. Allan Forsyth was unnecessarily self-assured. He might have made 1t less evident that he was within the enchanted circle while Dave remained outside. His complacence irritated Dave almost into rivalry. But the bon camaraderie of Edith herself checked any adventure of that kind. She was of about the same figure as Reenie Hardy-a little slighter per haps; and about the same age; and she had the same quick, frank eyes. And she sang wonderfully. He had never heard Reenie sing, but in some strange way he had formed a deep conviction that she would sing much as Edith sang. In love, as in religion, man is forever setting up idols to rep resent his ideals-and forever finding feet of clay.
 Dave was not long in discovering that his engagement as coachman was a device, born of Mir. Duncan's kind ness, to enable him to accept instruc- tion without feeling under obligation for 1t. When he made this discovery he smiled quietly to himself and pre- tended not to have made 1t. To have acted otherwise would have seemed ungrateful to Mir. Duncan. And pres ently the drives began to have a strange attraction of themselves.
 When they drove in the two-seated buggy on Sunday afternoons the party usually comprised Mrs. Duncan and Edith, young Forsyth and Dave. Mr. Duncan was interested in certain Sum, day-afternoon meetings. It was Mrs. Duncan's custom to sit in the rear seat for its better riding qualities, and 1t had a knack of falling about that Edith would ride In the front seat with the driver. She caused Forsyth to ride with her mother, ostensibly as a courtesy to that young gentleman a courtesy which, it may be conjec- tured, was not fully appreciated. At first he accepted 1t with the good na- ture of one who feels his position se- cure, but gradually that good nature gave way to a certain testiness of spirit which he could not entirely con- ceal.
 The crisis was precipitated one fine Sunday in September, in the first year of Dave's newspaper experience. Dave called early and found Edith in rid ing habit.
 "Mother is fndisposed,' as they say in the society page" she explained. 'In other words, she doesn't wish to be bothered. So I thought we would | ride today"
 "But there are only two horses" said Dave.
 "Well?' queried the girl, and there was a note in her voice that sounded strange to him. "There are only two of us."
 | "But MT. Forsyth?"
 "He is not here. He may not come.- Will you saddle the horses and let us get away?" ..
 It was evident to Dave that for some reason Edith wished to evade Forsyth this afternoon. A lovers quarrel, no doubt. That she had preference for him and was revealing it with the utmost frankness never occurred to his sturdy, honest mind. One of the delights of his companionship with Edith had been that it was a real con- panionship. None of the limitations Occasioned by any sex consciousness had narrowed the sphere of the frank