The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-05-21

couldn't chaperon her. And besides
they don't do things that way In that
country. You don't understand. It's
altogether different"
ANDREW" said Mrs. Hardy, leaning
forward, and the word was ominous
for she used his Christian name only
in moments of crisis, twas Irene ever
with this young man-alone?'
The doctor arose to his feet and
trod heavily upon the rich carpetings.
II told you you don't understand" he
protested. "The West is not the East
Everything is different"
| IT suppose human nature is differ
| ent," she interrupted meaningly. Then
her head fell upon the table and her
| hands went up about her hair. 1t
had been brown hair once but was
now thin and streaked with gray. ooh,
Andrew" she wept, 1--WE are ruined
That we should ever have come to
this! !.
1t was now Doctor Hardy's turn to
be exasperated. There was one thing
his philosophy could not endure. That
was a person who was not and who
would not be philosophical. Mrs.
Hardy was not and would not be phil
osophical.
''This is all nonsense p said the, doc
tor, impatiently. There is nothing
to It, anyway. The girl had to have
some company. What If they did ride
together? What"
"They rode together? AloneW
"They had their horses along" said
the doctor, whose Impotence had
made way for sarcasm.
"You are mocking me. In this hour
Of shame you are making jests. Call
| Irene"
The girl was summoned. Her fine
face had lost some of it's provinces.
and the eyes seemed deeper and
slower, but she was still vision of
! grace and beauty as she stood in re-
Spouse to their call, framed in the
curtains of an archway. Her quick
sense caught the tense atmosphere.
and she came forward with parted
lips and extended fingers.
"Yes?" she said. "What is wrong?
Can I help"
"Your father has confessed" said
Mrs. Hardy, trying hard to speak with
judicial calm. "Now tell us about
your relations with this young Eden,
this COW puncher. Let us know the
worst"
Irene's eyes flew from her mother
to her fathers face, and there they
caught something that restored their
calm.
"There was no worst" she said
with ripple Of laughter, ''but there
was a good deal of best Shall tell
you the best?'
''Irene," said her mother severely,
did you permit that young man to
make love to your"
II did not give him permission. If
ask it."
Mrs. Hardy had risen. Andrew,
you hear that? She confesses. It's
dreadful! Horrible! What will ev-
erybody say?"
"No worse than you have said, I'll
be bound" put in the doctor.
Eyes, take her part. What care you
for the family name?"
'"I have a right to speak for the
family name," said the doctor firmly.
ut was mine before it was yours. /
cannot see that the family name has
been compromised in the slightest de-
gree. This is Irene's first adventure.
1t will pass away. And even If 1t does
not-he is a manly boy"
Mrs. Hardy surveyed her husband
hopelessly, then turned to Irene.
"Have you made any promises?"
"Only that I wouldn't make any
promises until he had his chance. That
seemed fair"
II suppose you are receiving letters
from him."
"No."
"Why doesn't he writeT'
For the first time Irene's eyes fell
and the color mounted richer in her
cheeks. She had to confess now, not
for herself but for him.
"He can't WRITE" she said.
, "Merciful heavens!' exclaimed Mrs
Hardy, collapsing into chair.
ANDREW, bring me a stimulant."
CrO BE CONTINUED)