The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-01-07

rightness, and Dave had inherited the
quality In full degree. And Reenie
Hardy had come into his life just when
he needed a girl like Reenie Hardy
to come into his life. He
often thought of Reenie Hardy, and
of her compact with him, and won
dered what the end would be. He was
glad ne had met Reenie Hardy. She
was an anchor about his soul. -. :.
And Edith Duncan.
While the gradually deepening cur
rent of Dawes life flowed through the
channels of coal HEAVIER, freight han
der. shipping clerk and reporter its
waters were sweetened by the inti-
mate relationship which developed be-
tween him and the members of the
Duncan household. He continued his
studies under Mr.. Duncan's diree-
tions; two, three, and even four nights
In the week found him at work in the
comfortable den, or, during the warm
weather on the screened porch that
overlooked the family garden. Mrs.
Duncan. motherIy. and yet not too
motherly-she might almost have been
an older sister-appealed to the young
man as an ideal of womanhood. Her
soft, well-modulated voice seemed to
him to express the perfect harmony
of the perfect home, and underneath
It's even tones he caught glimpses OF
a reserve of power and judgment not
easily unbalanced. And as Dawes eyes
would follow her the tragedy of his
own orphaned life bore down upon
him and he rebelled that he had been
denied the start which such a mother
could have given him.
81 am twenty years behind myself"
he would reflect. with grim smile.
"Never mind. l will do three mems
work for the next ten, and then we
will be even."
had burst so unexpectedly upon his
life that first evening in her fathers
home. He had not allowed himself
any foolishness about Edith. 1t was
evident Edith was pre-empted, just as
he was pre-empted, and the part of
ognize the status quo. Still.
Mr.. Allan Forsyth was unnecessarily
self-assured. He might have made 1t
less evident that he was within the
enchanted circle while Dave remained
outside. His complacence irritated
Dave almost into rivalry. But the
bon camaraderie of Edith herself
checked any adventure of that kind.
She was of about the same figure as
Reenie Hardy-a little slighter per-
haps; and about the same age; and
she had the same quick, frank eyes.
And she sang wonderfully. He had
never heard Reenie sing. but in some
strange way he had formed a deep
conviction that she would sing much
as Edith sang. In love, as in religion,
man is forever setting up idols to rep
resent his ideals-and forever finding
feet OF clay.
Dave was not long I'm discovering
that his engagement as coachman was
q device, born of Mr.. Duncan's kind
ness, to enable him to accept instruc-
ton without feeling under obligation
for II. When he made this discovery
he smiled quietly to himself and pre-
tended rot to have made 1t. To have
acted otherwise would have seemed
ungrateful to Mr.. Duncan. And pres
emily the drives began to have a
strange attraction Of themselves.
When they drove in the two-seated
buggy on Sunday afternoons the party
usually comprised Mrs. Duncan and
Edith, young Forsyth and Dave. Mr..
Duncan was interested in certain Sun
day-afternoon meetings. 1t was Mrs.
Duncan's custom to sit i'm the rear seat
for its better riding qualities, and it
had knack of falling about that
Edith would ride I'm the front seat
with the driver. She caused Forsyth
to ride with her mother, Ostensibly as
a courtesy to that young gentleman
a courtesy which. it may be conjec-
tured, was not fully appreciated. At
first he accepted 1t with the good ma
ture of one who feels his position Sc
cure, but gradually that good nature
gave way to certain testiness Of
spirit which he could not entirely con-
ceal.
The crisis was precipitated one fine
Sunday in September, in the first year
of Dawes newspaper experience. Dave
called early and found Edith in a rid
ing habit.
Mother is 'indisposed' as they say
In the society page" she explained.