The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-04-02

l 60SC AOROoCA ~ OOA
the home through the back door OF
family intimacy. And now that Dave
seemed to have won the prize Con-
ward realized that his own position
was more secure than ever. Had he
not been called In consultation by the
girls mother? We're not the inner at
fairs Of the family now laid open be-
fore him? Did not his position as
her mothers adviser permit him to
assume toward Irene an attitude
which. in a sense was more intimate
than vel Dawes could be? He turned
these matters over quickly In his mind
and congratulated himself upon the
wisdom Of his tactics.
cts very dreadful" Mrs. Hardy was
saying. between dabbings of her per-
fumed handkerchief on eyes that bore
witness to the genuinenesS Of her dis
tress. "Irene is not an ordinary girl.
She has in her qualities that justified
me in hoping that-that she would do
very different from this. Need I
conceal from you. Mr.. Conward-from
you, Of all men--what have been my
hopes for Irene?"
Conward's heart leaped at the con-
fession. He had secretly entertained
some doubt as to Mrs. Hardy's pur-
pose in opening her home to him as
she had done; absurd as the hypothe-
sis seemed. still there was the n.y.
pothesis hat Mrs. Hardy saw in Con.
ward a possible comfort to her dec!in.
ing days. He had no doubt that her
vanity was equal to that suppOsitioa.
but he had done her less than justice
III supposing that she had any directly
personal ambitions. Her ambitions
were for Irene. She hid hoped that.
by bringing Coward into the house,
by bringing Irene under the snarencc
of a close family acQuaintancesE2
with him. that young lady might be
led to see the folly of the road SIZE was
choosing. She had hoped Tat he
would be the successful sultor for
Irene. And Conward's heart Ieaped
at the confession.
Il suppose I need not conceal frc1S
yOu," he answered, what my hopes
have been. 1t is reasonably safe to
Judge a daughter by her mother, and
by that standard Irene Is n Of the
most adorable Of young women"
II have been called attractive In NJ
day" confessed Mrs. Hordy, warm
ing at once to his flattery.
"Have been?'' said Coward. "Say
rather you are. If l had not been req.
dere1. perhaps, a little partial By Iy
admiration OF Irene, well. one .4n
scarcely give his heart in two places,
you know. And my deep regait for
you. Mrs. Hardy-my desire that yc"
shall be spared Observation-Disclosures
humiliation, will justify I'M in using
heroic measures to bring this un.
fortunate affair to a close. You may
trust me, Mrs. Hardy. Irene is-you
will forgive me. Mrs. Hardy. but Irene
is, II l may say 1t. somewhat head.
strong. She is"
"She is her father over again." Mrs.
Hardy interrupted. Il told him he
should not attempt that crazy trip Of
his without me along. but he would 60.
And this is what he has brought upon
me. and he not here to share it."
Mrs. Hardy's tone conveyed very
plainly her grievance oyer the doctors
behavior in evading the consequences
Of the situation which his headstrcng
folly had created.
"She is set In her own mind" Con-
ward continued. 1--WE must not openly
oppose her. We must adopt other tao
tics"
"You are very clever" said HrA.
Hardy. "You have been . student Of
human nature"
Coward smiled pleasurably. Little
q he valued Mrs Hardy's opinion. her
words Of praise fell very gratefully
uron him. Flatterers are seldom proof
against their OWE poison.
Eyes. I have studied human nature"
he admitted. '~The most interesting
and the most profitable 30 all studies.
And / know that young couples in love
are not governed by the ordinary laws
Of reason. That is why 1t is useless
to argue with Irene-sensible girl
though she is-on a subject like this.
We must reach her some other way.
1.-THE way that occurs to me is to
create distrust. Love Is either alb
surdly trustful or absurdly suspicious.
There Is no middle course. no bal
anced Judgment. In the trustfulness
Of love little virtues r magnifed to
angelic qualities, aud vices are quite
unseen. But change that trust to sus-
piciOn. and q hidden. sinister meaning
is found behind the simplest word or
act We must plan two campaigns:
One, which I have already suggested,
and one, II that should fail. to cause
Eden to distrust Irene. No. no" he
said, raising his hand toward Mrs.
Hardy. who had started from her seat.
there must b, no vestige Of reason.
except that tho end justi6es the means.
It u . case Of saving Irene. even II We
must pain her-and you-ln the sav-
Ing"
1885, - A~~AA-S - 49, u~-a--