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

40 a monopoly Of your attentions?
Perhaps not But II gives me the
right TO a fair chance 10 VIA a mOnOp-
oily Of your attentions"
He was speaking low and earnestly.
and his voice had a deep. rich timbre
In il that thrilled and almost fright
ened her. She could not resent his
straightfOrwardness. 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 a man.
II must have q fair chance to win
that monopoly" he repeated. 'HOw
did It happen that Coward was pres
entf"
Il don't know. 1t just happened.
A little after you telephOned me he
called up and asked for mother, and
the next thing l knew she said he was
coming up TO spend the evening"
Dave dropped into a sudden reyerie.
II was not so remarkable as 1t seemed
that Coward should have telephOned
Mrs. Hardy almost Immediately after
phone and Dawes were on the same
circuit; 1t was a 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 a conflictiOn 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 a 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. st is
the accountants number. There's
reason"
The cups were empty; the sand
witches and cake were gone, but they
on.
Il have been wondering" Dave ven
tured, at length, Just where l stand
with you. You remember our agree
ment?"
She averted her eyes but her voice
was steady. You have observed the
terms?" she said
"Yes, in all essential matters.
come to you now, in accordance with
those terms. You said that now we
would know. Now l know; know as
have always known since those won
lerful days in the foothills; those =
lays from which date my existence"
Il realize that l owe you an answer
low, Dave" she said frankly. "And l
ind it very hard to make that answer. A
Marriage means so much more to a i
woman than it does to man. II.
Don't misunderstood me, Dave. / !,
would be ashamed to say / doubt N.Y. !,
elf or that / don't know my mind,
,ut you and l are no longer boy and :
;irl. We are man and woman now. ~
And just want time-just want time -,
o be sure that-that-"
II suppose you are right" he an, h
wered. II will not try to hurry your r.
ecision. l will only try to give you =,
n opportunity to know-to be sure,
s you said. Then, when you are sure,
on will speak. 1 will not reopen the ~
ubject." -,
His words had something of the
ing of an ultimatum, but no endear- q,
lents that his lips might have ut :,
cred could have gripped her heart SO III
urely. She knew they were the :,
lords of man in deadly earnest, a ~
ian who had himself in hand, a man