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{ CHAPTER 'XVII | Conward paused aa he entered the roam, He had evidehtly not expect. ed to find Elden there, but after a digdly to his partner, piey. THE ONTARIO REFORMER, THURSDAY, DEC. 14, 1922 A * PAGE THIRTEEN. & toached you all the way, And you ft me..,.when I wasn't looking." He spoke disjointedly; his throat was oked with mortification and self- "Very well, I know the stake mament of hesttation he nodded cor- Joyre playing for. And--I'm go- ne te Almost reddy, Miss Wardin?" he asked, cheerily. 'Or train goes in pogket and consulted if, - - Ave's eyes w He! wondersd whether, ,in . this, teste ing moment, she would tight for her- selt or 'lean weakly op him, as, her ee or. Her answer reassured 5 I | im, p ' It makes' ro differencé when 'it goas, Mr, Conward, --'" He took hip wateh. from his | SoC he" uttered the (hrout, L) be wir), | ME YOU e fixed on the irl. | yo, 'can't hit back," 1 t going led Conward, leeringly, Tas Yalow trembled meryous. | YOU'll tind out that you didn't, I'l to spoil i "He turhed his swollen, bloody face to Dave's and hatred stood up in nis "1 ve," he repeated, 'where "Thanks for the warning," said Elden, 'S80 Irene Hardy is to be the stke. All right; I'll sit in, And I'll win." f "You'll think you've won," return- 'And then ut there was no weakness in it | The money which Dave ad giveh r, was still crumpled in her hand, advanced vaguely trying, to. #en tion, and held tie bills $0 where Conward se; the before "Here I8.your money, Mr, Con- " .ahe said, hy, what does this mean?" * | {Here is your money, take jt, please?" Will you + "No, I won't take it, until you ex- J " ----"t 3 . 8he opened her fingers, and the bills fell to the floor. "All she. said, Conward's eyes . had Dave, this, Elden," he sald, it mean?" shifted "You gre at the bottom of "What does right," "It 'means, Conward," Dave an- to swered, and 'there 'was ptéel in his voice--"it means. that after all these years I have discovered what a cur you are--just in time to baulk you, present her to you, Dave, like that," He lifted a bupnt match from an ash tray and held it before him, Daye's impulse was to seize the thick, flabby throat in his hands and choke it lifeless. With a resolute effort he turned to the telephone and lifted the receiver, "Send a car and a doctor to Con- ward & e had got the desired number. "Mr, nward has been burt; fell against a Jesk, or something. Nothing seri- ous, but may need a stitch or two." Thén, turning to Conward, "It will depend on you, whether this affair gets to the public, On you, and Miss Wardin, Make your own explana- tions. And. as soon as you are able to be about oygppartnership will be dissolved," j Conward was ready enough to) adopt Dave's suggestion that their quarrel should not come to the no- tice of the public, and Gladys War- Iden's office," he said, when f a --" Cornea fon to effect, He had absolutely no mis | glvings on score, Conward, on the othep hand, knew that his stand- ing with Irene would not, as yet, Justify him in playing. any trump card, He realized that the girl's af- fectlons were placed on Elden, but he trusted, by winning for himself an intimate position In the family, t grow gradually into more favourable relationship with her: Conward had a manner, a mildness of voice, a con- fidential note in his words, which' had pot failed him on previous oe- caslons, and although he now stalked | bigger game than ever hefore he | had no serious doubt of ultimate suc- | cess. As for Irene, a certain aver. | slon which she had felt for Conward at first did disappear under the in- fluence of his presence in the house- hold and the courteous attentions which, although directed to her mother, were in some degree reflect- ed upon herself, It would not be true to shy that Irene's acquaintance with Cogward made it more difficult for her to ac- cept the terms of Dave's ultimatum, She regarded the two men from a totally..different point of view, and there seemed no reason why her vi. sfon of one should in any way ob. scure her vision of the other. One| was merely a friend of the family, to he treated on grounds Of cordial good-fellowship; the other was her prospective husband, It was no con- sideration for Conward that sealed her lips. There was another matter, however, which bore heavily upon her pride, and strewed her path with difficulties, Mrs, Hardy had invested practical- | ly all her little fortune in her house. | The small sum which had-heen saved | rom the unfortunate investment had | heen eaten up in the cost of furnish- ing and maintaining the home, Dr. Hardy, in addition to his good name, at least in this instance." Conward flushed, but he tained "You've been drinking, Dav said. Wardin." "Don't make me call you a well as a cur." main- an sttitude of composure. e,"" he "I meant no harm to Miss liar as . The word cut through Conward's mask of coniposure,. "Now, by God, I won't take that from any he shouted, and with a swing of his arms threw his coat over his should- ers, Dave made no motion, and Con- ward, slowly brought bis coat back to position. "1 was right," said Dave, calmly. "I knew you wouldn't fight. You think more of your skin than you do of your honor. Well--it's better protection." "If this girl were not here," Con- ward protested, "I will not fight--"" "Ok, I will leave," apd Miss War- din, with alacrity. ad I hope he soaks you well," she shot back, as the door closed behind her. But by this time Conward had assumed a superi- or attitude. "Dave," be said, "I won't fight over a quarrel of this kind. Bat remember, some things in which no man another to interfere. Least there are allows of all such 2 man as you. There are ways of getting back, and I'll get back." "Why such a man as me? I know I haven't been much of a moralist in business matters--I've been wrong company for that--but the line--" 'Ob, you're fine stuff, all What would your friend Miss in the I draw right. Hardy think if I told her all I know?" "You know nothing that co uid af- tect Miss Hardy's opinion ----" "No " "No, you don't. You've amy car You're not bluff- ing a tenderfoot mow. I call you. If ds--play . "It's too bad your memory is so poor," Conward sneered. "Why were your lights off that might I your oar? ber. What will Miss Hardy passed Ob. 1 guess you remem- think Then | mind, gave any hint of that vulgarity | 5 » $ 83 #83 i if 4 }: go i it i; '} th i th el it 1H : : iE i hy 113 i I I i i BF fil £2 din, apparently, kept her own coun- sel in the matter. In a time when firms were going out of business without even the formality of an ass'gnment, and others were being absorbed by their competitors, the dissolution of the Conward & Elden establishment occasioned no more than passing notice. The explana- tion, "for business reasons," given to the newspapers, seeméd sufficient. Some few may have bad surmises, but they said nothing openly. Bert Morrison, for example, meeting Dave fix the street, congratulated him upon the 'change. "I knéw you would find bim out some day," she said. "Find what out?" Dave questioned, with feigned su . "Oh, nothing," was her épigmatic answer, as she changed the subject. 'Irene Hardy found herself in a position of increasing delicacy. Since the day of their conversation in the tea-room Dave had been constant in had left his daughter some few thou- {sind dollars of life insurance, and | | this was the capital which was now | supplying their daily needs, It, too, | would soon be exhausted, and Irene iwas confronted with the serious busi- | | ness of finding a means of livelihood | for herself and her mother, She discussed her problem with Bert Morrison, with whom' she had formed a considerable friendship. | She wondered whether she might be able to get a position on one of the newspapers. "Don't think of it," said Bert. "If | you want to keep a sane sweet out-| look on humanity, don't examine it too closely, That's what we have to do in the newspaper game, and that's why we're all cynics. Shake- speare said 'All the world's a stage,' and the same might have been said of the Press. The show looks pretty good from the pit, but when you get behind the scenes and see the make- up, and all the strings that are pull- ed---and who pulls them--well, it makes you suspicious of everything. | You no longer accept a surface view; you are always looking for the hid- den motive below. Keep out of it." "But I must earn a living," Irene protested, "and I'm mot a steno-, ,grapher, nor much of anything else. | 'I wasn't brought up to be useful, except with a view of superintending | bis attentions, but, true to his ul' a household--not supporting it timatum, had uttered no word that could in any way be construed to be more or less than Platonic. His attitude vexed and pleased her. She was vexed that he should leave her' in a position where she must humili- ate herself by taking the initiative; she was pleased with his strength, with his daring, with the superb self-control with which he carried out a dificult purpose. Just how dificult was that purpose Irene was now experiencing in her own person. She had now no doubt that she felt for Dave that attachment, without which ceremonies are without avail, and with which ceremonies are but ceremonies. And yet she shrank from surrender. ....And she kmew that some day she must surrender. The situation was complicated by conditions which involved her moth- | er--and Conward. Mrs. Hardy had never allowed herself to become re- conciled to Dave Elden. to abandon her preconceived ideas of the vulgarity which through must accompan which she chose to associate with his. early occupation, did not in tif Mrs. S13 hh 2 , Hla { "Ever contemplate marriage?" |said Miss Morrison, with disconcert-' (ing frankness. The colour rose in Irene's cheeks, |but she knew that her friend was (discussing a serious matter serious- ly. "Why, yes," she admitted. "I {have contemplated it; in fact I am {contemplating it. That's one of the {reasons I want to start earning my living. When I marry [ want to marry as a matter of clhoice--not be: cause it's the only way out." | garments with each pattern -- "Now you're talking," sald Bert. "And most of us girls marry as a matter of cholce--don't marry, Per- haps I'm cynleal, T shppote there are some men who would make good | husbands--Iif you could find them. But I've seen a few, the rough and the smooth, and I've only known one man from whom. a proposal would set me thinking. And he'll never propose to me---not now. Not since Miss Hardy came West," "On," said Irene, slowly, 'I'm I'm so sorry. ' From The Reformer - = "| TRANSPORTING A MANSION _-- --- we AT ---- - THIRTY YEARS AGO I One of the ggeat stately homes {of England is' Soou -to hecome near . Norland Hall, being dismantled an oxile, | Halifax, is Lees that The employees of the Electrie Light Company have Leen busy tor some time past wiring stores, hotel and private houses for the new in ecandescent lights w »* * in view of the ter's. Ruilway Scheme the | ter at' present, | commended that ir improvement . in our there out of the windew.| "Just another of life's little humpst We get used | to them----in time, But you want a joh, Let me see; you draw, don't, wou?" | "Just for pastime, 1 can't earn a| living that way." (To be continued) "It's all right," A! Bert, looking A VERY PLEASING AFTERNOON | OR DINNER DRESS WITH THE NEW "SIDE DRAPE" 1 | 4167-4049--Satin crepe with em- broidery for decoration, would be at-| tractive for this style, Cqpton crepe | or velvet is also nice. ! The blouse 4167 is cut in 7 Sizes: 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 inches bust measure. The skirt 4049 is cur in 7 Sizes: 25, 27, 29, 51, 33, 35 and 37 inches waist measure. The width at the foot is 2% yards. To make the dress for a medium size will re- quire 6% yards of one material 40 inches wide. TWO separate patterns mailed to apy address om receipt of 15¢ FOR | EACH pattern in silver or stamps. The Reformer will supply its readers with perfect fitting patterns from the jatest styles. The designs are practical and adapted to the home dressmaker. Full directions how to cut and how to make the The price of the pattern is 15 cents for each postage paid. It takes a week or ten days after you post your let- ter for the pattern to reach you When ordering use this forn Naws : Pattern Ne} ....us.iis | { | She refused | life y one bora to the low- | | { | What shall it be? duck, chicken--a some kind--a nice thick steak? Whatever yom choose at this butcher shop, it wiil please you and your guests Our meats are considered the best in the market. They satisfy the most particular. W. ATKINSON BUTCHER 12 Charch St. = Phone 935 A turkey roast of Useful Gifts for Christmas To be Cleared at Special Prices on Friday and Saturday 18 Doz. only--Ladies' Pure smart mixtures. Reg $ ool Heather Hose in .25, to clear at 53¢ Big assortment of Men's fine Shirts, to clear at 5c and $1.25 Pure Wool Mufflers, assorted clear at >= Men's Pure Silk Mufflers, reg. 25 Doz. Pure Silk Ties. Reg. Men's All Wool Sweaters, reg $6.50. to colors, reg. $1.50 to $350, to clear at .... $249 $1.25, to clear at 50c and 75¢ clear at .... $398 Men's Suspenders, reg. 60c, to clear at Men's Fine Gloves, Lined and Unlined, reg. $1.95 to clear. at to clear at Caps, Boys Jerseys, Wool Mixtures, Boys' Suits,--Browns, Blues, and Greys, reg. $12.50 $1.25 reg. $2.00, to clearat $1.49 veg. $1.75. to dear at $1.25 Young Men's Suits. sizes 32--40, veg. $25.00 RE EAERIE BE roi ssivnsioman AST ARTY $1850 Men's Grey and Brown Sits, veg $2000, to clear at $1295 15 only Juvenile's Coats, Blue Cheviots, reg. $7.95 : Men's Heavy O'coats, reg. up Men's Fine Black and Brown to dlear at $4.95 to $30.00, to clear at $18.50 The annual meeting of the South Ontario Farmers' Institute will be held this year in the Council, Cham- | bers, Whithy, Wednesday, the 20th | inst, > | eilities hy the proposed up to the town LJ * w | Mr. Coulthard recommended | Franciso, where it [ many cemphigoa- thong now existing over Capt, Cdr-| Hall are being packed into hig crates, take no further action in the Railway fa- prepared for removal to San Li will he erected, I'he stone and timber comprising the Ry nd Council | Over 100 of these cartes were taken mat- | on motor wagons to Liverpool and The Committee re- | they are now on the sea. It has heen he no decided to remove the fine old harn to : Its new site in"sections. Antiquarians Carter | lament the loss of Norland Hall, but icheme, the Grand Trunk Railway he | they admit that i J 1 bay admit that it has hee 1 asked to carry out tholk offer madu B.allowed L lew years ago to baild a switch | therefore obtain a longer existence in to tail into u decaying state. It may San Francisco, The last regular monthly meeting | of the Town Council was held on Monday evening last. There wore | present, Mayor Cowan, Reeves Coul- | thard, Hamlin, Fowke, and Coun- | cillors "French, King, Henderson, Hegzzlewood, Hare, McCaw, Hillman, | Gliddon and Dingle, A communica-| tion was read from Messrs, R. 8. | Williams & Son re the handing over to them of #2,000 honus debentures, | A motion was passed conforming with the request. 8 ¥ Mr, .Hawkes introduced a By-law to appoint a Town Clerk, and My, looks mean good ~Health A A Charming Woman is Healthy «Health gives the only tree and lastin Cood beauty to the complexion, p gestion and assimilation of food are necessary to ensure perfect health, For relieving powers -- such as stipation, sick licadaches, flatulence Beecham's Pills have proven their worth to countless thousands of women for Perfect di- ailments of the digestive biliousness, econ- |C. W. Bmith was appointed to ths position at a salary of $300 per an- pum. A By-law yas passed author- izing the issuing of debentures to the amount of $6,000 to provide for the payment of $2,000 of maturing debentures and $3,100 of floating debt, . LJ * LJ A letter was read from Mr, Mur- ton, . Becretary of the Oshawa Elec- tric Light Company, requesting per- mission to carry their wires into the centre of the street instead of at the sides 80 83 to avoid contact with the many years past. They are convenient, gentle in action and positive in their ex. cellent results, Take 'Beecham's Te A ~ Because The Prudential, Insurance Come pany is a mutual company; All the rofits of the company bel to and go H po Yholders ne to the policyhold: holder benefits The pol se profits: -- ways from in one of thres (1) By reduction of his premiums. (2) By increased life insurance. (3) By dividends. Prudential holds in reserve for the pro- tection of policies, seven seventeen million dollars. hundred and The Prudential has over five billion dol- lars of insurance in force, Every policyh er shares in th 3 protec- in the giant financial strength of the company Have you taken your Prudential ? policy in The Consult The Prudential scrvice man. Drudential Edward D. Dufficld, DOF. Block, 8 King St. vr -ecidemt DAVID MORRIS, gf he Aa id PRUDENT Wid 4 Aa | HAS THI v 4 id " . STRENGTH OF patie wen pI "GIBRALTAR fd "% Kk. If every wife knew what every widow knows, every kushand would be insured. {ome Office, Newark, NJ. Asst. Supt. Ww. » Oshana Boots, reg. $500 Men's Heavy Rubbers, reg: $2.75 to dlear at $1.98 Also Big Specials in Pure Wool Underwear, Hats, Pants, Sox and Overalls. a se a IER Nw