The state herald., 1920-02-20

was Il suIe place 20 coaie - :, look
on Elden's face caused her to pause.
"Why, what is wrong?" she said.
Dave looked Mt Coward at Mrs.
Hardy, and at Irene. He was Instant
ly aware that Coward had "stung"
them 1t was common knowledge in
inside circles that the bottom was
going out. The firm of Coward &
Elden had been scurrying for cover, MS
quietly and secretly as possible, to
avoid alarming the public. but scurry-
ing Cor cover nevertheless. And Dave
Ind acqulesced in that policy, His
position was extremely dii,icult.
u don't think l would be in hurry
to buy" he said, slowly turning his
eyes on his partner, you would per-
haps be wiser to rent home for
while. Rents are hecoming easier"
But I have bought" said Mrs.
Hardy, and there was triumph rather
than regret In her voice. Il have paid
my deposit"
"It is the policy of this firm" Eden
'phtilutus iol W lbIN' VI llhN bu-
vantage of hurried decisions. The fact
that You have already made n deposit
does not alter that policy. | think
mas speak for my partner and the
firm when ! say that your deposit Will
be held to your credit for thirty days,
during which time 1t will constitute an
option oh the property which you have
selected. If. at the end of that time.
you are still of your present mind. the
transaction can go through as now
planned: md II you have changed
your mind your deposit will be re.
turned"
Coward shifted under Dawes direct
eye. He preferred to look at Mrs.
Hardy. "What Mr.. Edcn has told
YOU about the policy OF the firm Is
quite true" he managed TO say. But,
MS it happens. this transaction is not
with Coward & Elden. hut with me
personally. find II necessary TO dis
pose of the property which have just
sold to you at such an exceptional
price"-he was looking at Mrs. Hardy
-'and naturally cannot run chance
of having my plans overturned by any
possible change of mind on your part"
81 am entirely satisfied" said Mrs.
Hardy. 'rhe fact that Mr. Elden
wants to get the property back makes
me mores satisfied" she added, with
the peculiarly Irritating laugh of n
woman who thinks she Is extraordi-
narily shrewd and is only very silly.
"The agreement is signed?" said
Dave. He walked to the lesl; and
picked up the documents. and the
check that lay upon them. His eye
ran down the familiar contract. This
agreement Is In the name OF Coward
4 Eden" he said "This check is
payable TO Coward & Eden"
Conward's llvll face had become
white. and II was with difficulty he
controlled his anger They are all
printed that way" he explained. ~
am going to have them indorsed over
TO me-"
''You are not" said Dave. "You are
charging this woman twenty-five thou.
sond dollars for house that won't
bring ten thousand The firm OF Con.
ward & Elden will have nothing TO do
with that transaction. 1t won't even
Indorse 1t over"
A fire was burning In the grnte.
Dave walked to 1t and very slowly and
deliberately thrust the agreement Into
the flame.
"Well. II that doesn't beat NIL !" Mrs.
Hardy calculated. "Are all COW
punchers so discourteous!
II mem no discour,esy." snid Dave.
''If my behavior has seemed abrupt, I
assure you have only sought 10 serve
Doctor IIardy's widow-and his daugh-
ter"
ut Is peculiar service" Mrs. Har.
dy answered. curtly.
II can only apologize for my part.
ncr's behavior" said Coward. 1T need
not. however. affect the transaction In
the slightest degree. A new agreement
will be drnwn ut once-an agreement
In which the frm Of Coward & Elden
will not be concerned"
THAT will be more satisfac ctory."
said Mrs. Hardy. She Intended the re-
mark for Dawes ears. but he had
moved to corner Of the room and was
conversIng In low tones with Irene.
II nm sorry ! Ind to make your
mothers acquaintance under circum-