Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1919-12-04
CHAPTER VIII.

| UpO0 TIE return OF irene f1dTuy II
| the East it had slowly become appar
ent to her mother that things were no
as they once had been. 1t seemed al
though she had left part of her natur,
behind-had outgrown it, perhaps
and had created about herself an at
mosphere of reserve foreign to hel
earlier life. 1t seemed as though tht
loneliness of the great plains haC
settled upon her.
Whatever has come over Irene?'
said Mrs. Hardy to the doctor one eve
ming. "She hasn't been the same since
she came home l should not have lei
her go west alone"
The doctor looked up mildly from
his paper. 1t was the custom of the
doctor to look up mildly when Mrs.
Hardy made a statement demanding
some form of recognition. From the
wide initiation into domestic affairs
which his profession had given him
Doctor Hardy had long since entirely
ceased to look for the absolute in
woman. He had never looked for 1t
RI. man. He realized that in Mrs.
=, ls4-ey ne did not possess a perfect
mate, but he was equally convinced
that in no other woman would he have
found perfect mate, and he accepted
his lot with the philosophy of his
sixty years. So instead of reminding
his wife that Irene had not been alone
when she went west he remarked very
mildly that the girl was growing older.
Mrs. Hardy found in his remark Oc-
casion to lay down the book she had
been holding and to sit upright in a
rigidity of intense disapproval. Doc
tor Hardy was aware that this was
entirely theatrical attitude, assumed
for the purpose of imposing upon him
a proper humility He had expert
enced 1t many times.
doctor Hardy" said his wife after
the lapse of an appropriate period,
"do you consider that an intelligent
1T has the advantage of truthful
ness" returned the doctor compla
Gently. at is susceptible of demon
stration"
II should think this is a matter of
sufficient interest to the family to be
discussed seriously" retorted Mrs. |
Hardy, who had an unfortunate habit |
Of becoming exasperated by her hus-
bands good humor. ''Irene is our
only child, and before your very eyes
YOU see her-you see her Do you
know, I begin-I really begin to sus
,ect that she's in love-"
1t was Doctor Hardy's turn to sit
UPRIGHT. Nonsense he said. "Why
;hould she be in lover" 1t is the I'M
ortunate limitation of the philosopher
hat he so often leaves irrational be-
lavior out Of the reckoning. "She is
'nly child"
"She will be eighteen presently.
md why shouldn't she be in love?
md the question is-who? That is
or you to answer. Who did she
neet?"
"She met no one with me. My ac-
ident left me to enjoy my holiday as
est could Mt a ranch deep in the
oOthills, and Reenie stayed with me
here. There was no one else"
"No one? No ranchmen, cowboys
Ow punchers-I think have heard
18th nice dlsdain.
"No. Only young Eden"
"Only? Who is this young Elden?"
But he is just boy. Just the son
{ the old rancher of whom l have
I'D YOU"
Exactly. And Irene is just girl.
'octor Hardy, you are all very well
it'll your fevers and your chills, but |
on can't diagnose love case worth ,
cent. What about this young El |
en2 Did Irene see much of him." 4
The doctor spread his hands. 'D0 |
III realize that there were four of 1
! ut that ranch-four only, and no y
ne else for miles? How could she
ZIP seeing him?"
"And you permitted itr'
II was on my hack with broken v
.. We were guests at their home. n
hey were good Samaritans TO us. | o