The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-06-11
CHAPTER X.

Eden lost no time in making his
first call upon the Hardys. Irene re-
ceived him cordially, but Mrs. Hardy
evinced no more warmth than propri-
ETY. demanded. Eden, however, al
lowed himself no annoyance over
that. A very much greater grievance
had been thrust upon his mind. Con-
ward had preceded him and was al
ready guest Of the Hardys.
Dave knew Coward we'll enough
to know that purpose always lay be-
hind his conduct, and during the small
talk with which they whiled away an
hour his mind was reaching out
acutely, exploring every nook Of pos
sibility. to arrive if it could at some
explanation Of the sudden interest
which Coward was displaying in the
Hardys. These explanations narrowed
down to two almost equally unpala-
table. Coward was deliberately set
ting about to capture the friendship,
perhaps the affection, of either Mrs.
Hardy or Irene. Strangely enough,
Eden was more irritated by the for
mer alternative than by the latter.
Perhaps this attitude was due to SUBJ
conscious recognition Of the fact that
he had much more to fear from Con-
ward as sutton for the hand Of Mrs.
Hardy than as q rival for that of
Irene. Coward as a prospective
father-in-law was more grievous
menace to his peace of mind than
Coward as defeated rival.
The more he contemplated this as
pect Of the case the less he liked it.
To Coward the affair could be moth.
ing more than an adventure, but II
would give him a position of sort
of semi-paternal authority over both
Irene and Eden.
When at length Mrs. Hardy began
to show signs of WEAKNESS Irene
served coffee and cake, and the two
men, taking that as an intimation that
their welcome had run down, but
would rewind itself II not too con
tinually drawn upon, left the house to
gether. On their way they agreed that
it was a very delightful night.
Dave turned the situation over ir
his mind with some impatience. Irene
had now been In the city for severa
weeks, and he had had opportunity
for scarce dozen personal words
with her. Was he to be baked BY
such an insufferable chaperonage as i
seemed the purpose of Mrs. Hard,
and Coward to establish over hi.
love affair? No. In the act of un
dressing he told himself, NO" suit
ing to the word such vigor of behavior
that In the morning he found hi
shoes at opposite corners Of the room
Several days passed without an,
word from Irene, and he had almos
made up his mind to attempt anothe
telephone appointment, when he me
her, quite accidentally, in the street
She had been shopping. she said. TIL
duty Of household purchases fel
mainly upon her. Her mother reste,
in the afternoons
SLOW about cup of tea" sal,
Dave. "And thin sandwich? Ant
delicate morsel of cake? One cal
always count on thin sandwiches an,
delicate morsels Of cake. Their func
ton Is purely a social one, having n,
relation to the physical requirements.
Il should be very glad" said Irene
They found a quiet tearoom. Whel
they were seated Dave, without pre-
liminaries, plunged into the subjec
nearest his heart.
Il have been wanting an oppOrtu
nifty to talk to you-wanting it 70
weeks" he said. But 1t Away
seemed"
always seemed that you wer
thwarted," Irene completed hi
thought. "You didn't disguise you
annoyance very well the other night.
do you blame me for being an
noyed?"
mo. But 1 rather blame you 70
showing it. You see was annoye
too"
Then you had nothing to do with
with bringing about the situation tina
existed?"
Certainly not. Surely you do no
think that l would-that I would
! Il beg your pardon. Reenie," sal
Dave, contritely. II should hav
known better. But 1t seemed such
strong coincidence"
She was toying with her cup. an
for once her eyes avoided him. "Yo
should hardly think, Dave" she yer
tured-"you should hardly conclud
that-what has been. you know, give