The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-06-11

1O mOnOpOly VI your dttcHtiUHbS
Perhaps not. But it gives me the
right to fair chance to win a monop-
oily Of your attentions"
He was speaking low and earnestly,
and his voice had deep, rich timbre
in 1t that thrilled and almost fright
ened her. She could not resent his
raightforwardness. She felt that he
was already asserting his claim upon
her, and there was something tender
and delightful in the sense Of being
claimed by such man.
II must have a fair chance to win
that monopoly" he repeated. ''How
did it happen that Coward was pres
ent?"
II don't know. 1t just happened.
A little after you telephoned me he
called up and asked for mother, and
the next thing knew she said he was
coming up to spend the evening"
Dave dropped into sudden reverie.
1t was not SO remarkable as it seemed
that Coward should have telephoned
Mrs. Hardy almost Immediately after
he had used the line. Conward's tele-
phone and Dawes were on the same
circuit; it was simple matter for
Coward, If he had happened to lift
the receiver during Dawes converse
ton with Irene, to overhear all that
was said. That might happen acct
dentally; at least it might begin in
nocently enough. The fact that Con-
ward had acted upon the information
indicated two things: first, that he
had no very troublesome sense of
honor-which Dave had long suspect
ed-and, second, that he had DELHI
erately planned confiction with
Dawes visit to the Hardy home. This
indicated a policy Of some kind; a
scheme deeper than Dave was as yet
able to fathom. He would at least
guard against any further eavesdrop-
ping on his telephone.
He took card from his pocket and
made some figures on it. IF you
should have occasion to call me at the
Office at any time please use that num-
Der and ask for me-" he said. ut is
the accountants number. There's a
reason"
The cups were empty; the sand
wiches and cake were gone, but they
fingered on.
II have been wondering" Dave ven.
tured, at length, lust where stand
with you. You remember our agree
ment?"
She averted her eyes but her voice
was steady. "You have observed the
terms?" she said.
Eyes, in all essential matters.
come to you now, in accordance will
those terms. You said that now We
would know. Now I know; know al
l have always known since those won
derful days in the foothills; those
days from which date my existence.
Il realize that owe you an answer
now, Dave" she said frankly. "And
find it very hard to make that answer
Marriage means so much more to {
woman than it does to man.
Don't misunderstood me-, Dave.
would be ashamed to say I doubt my
self or that I don't know my mind
but you and I are no longer boy ant
girl. We are man and woman now
And just want time-just want tim,
to be sure that-that-"
Il suppose you are right" he an
swered. II will not try to hurry you
decision. l will only try to give yol
an opportunity to know-to be sure
as you said. Then. when you are sure
you will speak. will not reopen tn
subject"
His words had something Of tn
ring of an ultimatum, but no endear
ments that his lips might have ut
tered could have gripped her heart s.
surely. She knew they were til
words of a man In deadly earnest,
man who had himself in hand. a maj