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

Upon the return of Irene Hardy to
the East it had slowly become appar-
ent to her mother that things were not
as they once had been. 1t seemed as
though she had left part of her nature
behind-had outgrown it, perhaps
and had created about herself an at
mosphere of reserve foreign to her
earlier life. It seemed as though the
loneliness Of the great plains had
settled upon her.
Whatever has come over IreneW
said Mrs. Hardy to the doctor one eve
ming. "She hasn't been the same since
she came home. I should not have let
her 60 west alone" -
The doctor looked up mildly from
his paper. 1t was the custom Of the
doctor to look up mildly when Mrs.
some form Of recognition. From the
wide initiation into domestic affairs
which his profession had given him
Doctor Hardy had long since entirely
ceased to look for the absolute in
woman. He had never looked for 1t
in man. He realized that in Mrs.
Hardy he did not possess a perfect
mate, but he was equally convinced
that in no other woman would he have
found a perfect mate, and he accepted
his lot with the philosophy Of his
sixty years. So instead of reminding
his wife that Irene had not been alone
when she went west he remarked very
mildly that the girl was growing older.
| Mrs. Hardy found in his remark oc-
casion to lay down the book she had
been holding and to sit upright in a
rigidity Of intense disapproval. Doc
tor Hardy was aware that this was
entirely theatrical attitude, assumed
for the purpose Of imposing upon him
a proper humility. He had expert
| enced it many times.
Doctor Hardy" said his wife after
the lapse of an appropriate period
"do you consider that an intelligent
remark?"
sit has the advantage of truthful
ness" returned the doctor compla.
Gently. ut is susceptible of demon.
stration."
II should think this is matter OF
sufficient interest to the. family to be
| discussed seriously" retorted Mrs
Hardy, who had an unfortunate habit
of becoming exasperated by her hus
bands good humor. "Irene is our
only child. and before your very eyes
you see her-you see her Do you
know. I begin-I really begin to sus
pect that she's in love-"
1t was Doctor Hardy's turn to sill
upright. "Nonsense" he said. "Why
should she be in lover" 1t is the un
fortunate limitation of the philosopher
that he so often leaves irrational be
havior out Of the reckoning. "She IL
only child"
"She will be eighteen presently
And why shouldn't she be in love
And the question is-who? That i.
for you to answer. Who did she
meet?"
"She met no one with me. My &C
cident left me to enjoy my holiday a.
best could at a ranch deep in thu
foothills, and Reenie stayed with mi
there. There was no one else"
"No one? No ranchmen, cowboys
COW punchers-I think have heard
with nice disdain.
mo. Only young Eden"
"Only? Who is this young Eden?
"But he is just boy. Just the Sol
of the old rancher Of whom hav'
told you."
Exactly. And Irene rs just a girl
Doctor Hardy, you are all very wei
with your fevers and your chills, bu
you can't diagnose a love case WORT
a cent. What about this young 81
den? Did Irene see much of him?"
The doctor spread his hands. I'D
J you realize that there were four o
us at that ranch-four only, and n
one else for miles? How could sh
help seeing him?"
"And you permitted it2"
al was on my back with broke
! leg. We were guests at their home
They wara yood SamaritauS to uS.