Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-01-01
CHAPTER X.
pleasure.

CHAPTER x.
Eden lost no time in making hi:
first call upon the Hardys. Irene re
ceived him cordially. but Mrs. Hardy
evlnced no more warmth than propri
| ETY. demanded. Eden, however, al
lowed himself no annoyance over
that. A very much greater grievance
had been thrust upon his mind. Con
ward had preceded him and was al
ready guest of the Hardys.
Dave knew Coward well enough
to know that purpose always lay be-
hind his conduct, and during the small
| talk with which they whiled away an
| hour his mind was reaching out
acutely, exploring every nook of pos
slbility, to arrive If it could at some
explanation of the sudden interest
which Coward was displaying in the
Hardys. These explanations narrowed
down to two almost equally unpala-
table. Coward was deliberately set
ting about to capture the friendship,
perhaps the affection, of either Mrs.
Hardy or Irene. Strangely enough.
Eden was more irritated by the for
mer alternative than by the latter
Perhaps this attitude was due to sub
conscious recognition of the fact that
he had much more to fear from Con-
ward as a sutton for the hand of Mrs.
Hardy than as rival for that of
Irene. Coward as prospective
father-in-law was a more grievous
menace to his peace of mind than
Coward as defeated rival.
The more he contemplated this as
pect Of the case the less he liked it,
TO Coward the affair could be moth
ing more than an adventure, but it
would give him position Of sort
Of semi-paternal authority over both
Irene and Eden.
When at length Mrs. Hardy began
TO show signs of WEAKNESS Irene
served coffee and cake, and the two
men, taking that as an intimatlon that
their welcome had run down, but
would rewind itself If not too con-
tinually drawn upon, left the house to-
gether. On their way they agreed that
1t was very delightful night.
Dave turned the situation over in
his mind with some impotence. Irene
had now been in the city for several |
weeks, and he had had opportunity |
for scarce dozen personal words |
with her. Was he to be baked by |
such an insufferable chaperonage as it |
seemed the purpose of Mrs. Hardy |
and Coward to establish over his
love affair? No. In the act of I'M
dressing he told himself, NO" suit
ing to the word such vigOr of behavior
that in the morning he found his
shoes at opposite corners of the room.
Several days passed without any
word from Irene, and he had almost
made up his mind TO attempt another
telephone appointment, when he met
ler, quite accidentally, in the street.
She had been shopping. she said. The
luty of household purchases fell
mainly upon her. Her mother rested
II the afternoons
"How about a cup of tea" said
Dave. "And a thin sandwich? And
| delicate morsel of cake? One can
ilwayS count on thin sandwiches and
lelicate morsels of cake. Their func-
ion Is purely social one, having no
citation to the physical requirements"
II should be very glad" said Irene.
They found quiet tearoom. When
hey were seated Dave without pre- '
plunged into the subject
earest his heart.
Il have been wanting an Opportu-
ity to talk to you--wanting 1t for S
'eeks," he said. 'But 1t always I
eemed--"
Always seemed that you were q
Irene completed his
bought. "You didn't disguise your t
very well the other night" S
"Do you blame nae for being an
oyed2" i
mo. But l rather blame you for h
rowing 1t. You see was annoyed v
70" 1!
Then you had nothing TO do with
18th bringing about the situation that "
listed?" II
Certainly not. Surely you do not
ink that l would-that / would"
~ beg your pardon. Reenie," said
ave, contritely. II should have
lown better. But II seemed such C,
rong coincidence" II
She was toying with her cup, and 81
r once her eyes avoided him. "You
ould hardly think. Dave" she ven
red-"you should hardly conclude
at--whnt has been. you know, gives d.
u the right--entitles YOU" In