The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-02-12
By
Robert ]. C.. Stead
Au1h0r Of
Kitchener and
Other Poe7H''

pose in opening her home to him az
she had done; absurd as the hypOthe-
| sis seemed, still there was the by
pOthesis that Mrs. Hardy saw In Con-
ward n possible comfort to her declin-
ing days. He had no doubt that her
vanity was equal TO that suppOsitiOn.
but he had done her less than justice
in suppOsing that she had any directly
personal ambitions. Her ambitions
were for Irene. She had hoped that
by bringing Coward into the house.
by bringing Irene under the influence
OF close family acquaintanceship
with him, that young lady might be
led to see the folly of the road she was
choosing. She had hoped that he
would be the successful sutton for
Irene. And Conward'S heart ieaped
at the confession.
81 suppose 1 need not conceal from
you" he answered, ''what my hopes
have been. 1t is reasonably safe to
judge a daughter by her mother, and
by that standard Irene is one OF the
most adorable of young women"
Il have been called attractive in my
day." confessed Mrs. Hardy, warm
ing at once to his f1attery.
'Have been?' said Coward "Say
rather you are. If had not been rem
dered, perhaps, little partial by my
admiration of Irene, well, one can
scarcely give his heart in two places.
you know. And my deep regard for
you, Mrs. Hardy-my desire that you
shall be spared -ah-threatene
humiliation, will justify me in using
heroic measures to bring this I'M
fortunate affair to close. You may
trust me, Mrs. Hardy. Irene is-yOu
will forgive me, Mrs Hardy, but Irene
is, if 1 may say it. somewhat head
strong. She is"
'She is her father over again" Mrs
Hardy interrupted. & told him he
should not attempt that crazy trip of
his without me along, but he would go.
And this is what he has brought upon
me, and he not here to share it,
Mrs Hardy's tone conveyed very
plainly her grievance over the doctors
behavior in evading the consequences
of the situation which his headstrOng
folly had created.
''She is set in her own mind" Con-
ward continued. 1--WE must not openly
oppose her. We must adopt other tao
tics"
You are very clever" said Mrs.
Hardy you have been a student of
human nature"
Coward smiled pleasurabiy. Little
as he valued Mrs. Hardy'S opinion, her
words of praise fell very gratefully
upon him. F1attererS are seldom proof
against their own poison.
Eyes, I have studied human nature"
he admitted. 1.-The most interesting
and the most profitable ali studies.
And know that young couples in love
are. not governed by the ordinary laws
of reason. That is why it is useless
to argue with Irene-sensibie girl
though she is-on a subject like this.
We must reach her some other way
''The way that occurs to me is to
create diStruSt. Love is either alb
surdly trustful or absurdly suspicious.
There is no middle course, no bal.
anced judgment. In the trustfu!ness
of love little virtues are magnified to
angelic qualities, and vices are quite
unseen. But change that trust to sus-
piciOn. and q hidden, sinister meaning
is found behind the simplest word or
act. We must plan two campaigns:
One, which / have already suggested,
and one, if that should fail, to cause
EIden to distrust Irene. No. no." he
said, raising his hand toward Mrs.
Hardy, who had started from her seat.
there must be no vestige of reason.
except that the end justifies the means.
It is a case of saving Irene. even if we
must pain her-and yOu-in the saw
ing"
Its very dreadful" Mrs Hardy re-
peated. But you are very thorough;
you leave nothing to chance. 1 sup
pose that is the way with all big bust
ness men,
'You can trust me. - Coward assured
her. There is no time to be lost, and
must plan my campaigns at once"
CTO BE Continued