The state herald., 1920-03-05

M
"r,arriaoe Means 50 Much More to =
Woman Than II Does to q Man. You
Don't Think So. but Il Does"
woman than 1t does to a man. .
Don't misunderstand me. Dave. ]
would be ashamed to say I doubt my
self or that don't know my mind.
hut you aud are no longer boy and
girl. We are man and woman now.
And I just want ,ime-just want time
In be sure that-that--''
Il suppose you are right" he an
swered. Il will not try to hurry your
decision. I will only try to give you
an opportunity to kn0w-io he sure.
as you said Then. when you are sure.
you will speak. will not reopen the
subject"
His words hnd something Of the
ring Of an ultimatum. hut no cndear.
ments that his lips might have ut.
tered could have grippcd her heart so
surely. She knew they were The
words OF man in deadly earnest. n
man who had himself In hand. a man
who made love with the same serious
purpose as he had employed In the
other projects Of his successful life.
Had II no, been for some strange
sense of shame-some fear that too
ready capltulation might be mistak en-
for weakness-she would have surren
dered then
~ think that Is best" she managed
to say. 1--WE will let our acquaintance
ship ripch.",
He rose and helped her with her
light wrap. His fingers touched her
hnnd and II seemed 10 him the bniiia
was won. But he had prom.
iscd not to reopen the subject.
In the street he said. III you will
wait moment I will take you home
In my car"
Their eyes met. and each of them
knew what II meant. II meant nn.
noulcement to her mother that she
had met Dave downtown. II meant
perhaps supposiiion on her moi!irr's
part that she had gone downtown for
that purpose. II was fnr.rcaehlug
But she said simply. II should enjo;
driving home with you"
On the way they planned tia; the
following Sunday they would drive
Into the foothills together. or course
they would ask Mrs Hardy to ncrnm'
pnny them. or course. But II liighl
happen that Mrs Hardy would he IN.
disposed. Irene was OF the opinion that
whnt her mother needed now WINS rest
As II happened Mrs. Hardy was nj
the gntc. She greeted Dave cordially
enough. Encouraged by her mood.
Irene determined to settle the Sun.
day program at once.
"Dsvs was good enough TO bring me
up In his ear" she sai,i. "And jus'
think! He invites us to drive into the
foothills with him next SUNDAY. WIZ
you c0fnci II will be delightful. Or
nrc you feeling"
'Mr. Elden Is very kind" said Mrs
'h'bys WIN uigni'Ss HhNf Nf uouDl
Mr. Coward VIII accompany us. He
Is to call this evening nnd viii nsk
MIN. Yes. think |, very llkol.
we will co."
The summer wore on. and autumn
followed on Its heels. The processe,
which had been dIsccrpcd by conwnrd
and other astute operators were now
apparent TO the mob which forever
follows In the wake Of the successful
but usually at such a distance MS ,t
be overwhelmed In the reccding food
The forces which had built up fnbu
ious fortunes were now In reverse
gear. and the same mechanism that
Ind built up was now tearing down
As tho boom had fed upon Itself. cur
rying prices to heights Justidnblc oni,
tn the most Insane optimism. 10 did
the subsequent depression benr down
upon vniucs until they reached depths
justIf'nblc only 10 the most abandoned
iespondency. The rosy bubble. lnilni'
81 with the vnpors Of irresponsible
speculation. had dissolved into ,hlr
ilr.
Mrs. Hardy was among the las, to
admit thpt she hnd bought On nm
ebblDg tide. She oontcndcd TINT her
house was well worth The price she
had paid; what n speculation had
come TO y riopi SO much The better.
her house was still worth itr price.
She would stand firm.
Mra. IInrly consulted Conmara. Il