Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1920-05-15
CHAPTER IX.-Continued.

Night had settled when Dave leit
the Office. \ soft wind blew from the
southwest; June was in the air. June
too, was in Dawes heart a. ne Wake"
the few blocks to his bachelor quar-
4 tiers. What of the drGh injustice Oh
business? Let him forget that; now II
was night and she had called
him Dave.
He dressed with care. 1t was not
until he was about to leave his rooms
that he remembered he must dine
alone; he had been dressing for her'
/ unconsCiouSly. The realization brought
him up with something of shock.
This will never do" he said. 81
can't eat alone tonight, and can't ASK
Rcenie so soon after the incident with
her mother. l know-Bcrt Morrison.
He reached for the telephone and
rang her number.
Her number did not answer. lie
thought of Edith Duncan. But Edith
lived at home, AMI it was much too
late To extend Il formal dinner invita-
ton. There was nothing for il hut
To eat alone. He suddenly became
conscious of the great loneliness OF
his bachelor life. The charm of bach
elorhoOd was a myth which only need
ed contTct with the gentle atmosphere
of feminine affection To be exposed.
He took his hat and coat and went
into he street. Ii was his custom to
take his meals ar modest eating
place on a Sidc-avcnur, hut tonight he
directed his steps 10 the best hotel the
city afforded There was no wisdom
in dressing for an event unless he was
going to defect his course somewhat
from the daily routine.
The dining hall was blaze of light.
Dave paused for moment, awaiting
the beck of n waiter, but in that mo
ment his eye fell on Coward, seated
at n table with Mrs. Hardy and Irene.
Coward had seen him and was mo-
tiOning to him to join them. The sit
uation was embarrassing, and yet de-
lightful. He was glad he had dressed
for dinner
he reached their table. Just a little
dinner to celebrate today's transaction.
You will not refuse TO share to that
extent?"
Dave looked at Mrs. Hardy. Had he
been dealing with Coward and Mrs.
Hardy alone he would have excused
himself, but he had to think of Irene.
That is, he had TO justify her by being
correct in his manners.
'De JOIN u.s." said Mrs. Hardy. 1t
was evident to Mrs. Hardy that 1t
would be correct for her to support
Mr.. Cenward's invitation.
f0u are very. End, said Dave as-T
he seated himself. 81 had not hoped
for this pleasure" And yet the
pleasure was not unmixed. He felt
that Coward had Outplayed him. 1t
was Coward who had done the gra-
cious thing, and Dave could not pre-
vent Coward doing the gracious
thing without himself being ungra-
cious.
After dinner they sat in the lounge
room, and Coward beguiled the time
with stories of sudden wealth which |
had been practically forced upon men
who were now regarded as the bust
ness framework of the country. AS
these worthless strolled through the
richly furnished room, leisurely
smoking their after-dinner cigars, Con-
ward would make q swift summary of /
their rise from liveryman, cow
puncher, clerk or labOrer to their |
present affiuence, occasionally appeal
ing to Dave TO cOrrobOrate his state
ments. 1t was particularly distaste-
full to Eden TO be obliged TO add his |
word to COnward's in such matters.
for, although Coward carefully re-
Trained from making any direct ref
erence to Mrs. Hardys purchase the
inference that great profits would &C.
crue to her therefrOm was very OBJ
vious.
Eden was glad when Mrs. Hardy
remembered that she must not remain
up late. Her physician had prescribed |
rest. Early TO bed, you know. Dave
had opportunity for just a word with
Irene before they left.
How did this happen-tOnight? he
asked, with the calm assumption of
one who has a right to know.
"Oh, Mr.. Coward telephOned an in
yltation to mother" she explained. 81