Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1920-01-02
CHAPTER viti-contlnued.

The outcome was that Mrs. Hardy
insisted upon Irene embarklng ut once
upon n finishing course. Afterwnrd
they travelled together for n year In
Europe. Then home again, Irene pur-
sued her art. and her mother sur
rounded her with the social attractions
which Doctor Hnrdy's comfortable In
come and professional standing made
possible. Her purpose was obvious
and but thinly disguised. She hoped
that her daughter would outllve her
youthful i~nfatuntion and would Mt
length, In a more suitable match. give
her henrt 10 one OF the numerous ell
glbles OF her circle.
To promote this end Mrs. Hardy
spared no pains. Young Carlton. son
OF a banker and one Of the leading
men Of his set. seemed n particularly
appropriate match. Mrs. Hardy
opened her home to him. and Carlton,
whatever his motives. was not slow TO
grasp the situation. For years Irene
had not spoken Of Dave Eden, and the
mother had grown TO hope TINT the
old attachment had died down and
would presently be quite forgotten In
n new and more becoming passion.
The fnct Is that Irene at that time
would have been quite incapable Of
stating her relation toward Eden and
It's Influence upon her attitude TO life.
She was by no means sure that she
loved that sunburnt boy of romantic
memory she was by no means sure
that h should ever marry him. let
his development In life be what II
would but she felt that her heart was
locked. at least for the present, TO all
other sultors. She had given her
promise, and thnt settled the matter.
Notwithstanding her indifference the
girl found herself encouraging Carl
tons advances, or nj least not meet
Ing them with the rehuffs which
had been her habit toward all other
s%ultors. and Mrs. Hnrdy's hopes grew
ms the attachment apparently devel-
opeh. But they were soon TO be shat.
tered.
Irene had gone with Carlton TO the
thenter; nfterwnrd 10 supper. II was
long past midnight when she reached
home. She knocked ut her mothers
door and Immediately entered. Her
hnlr was dlsheveled and her cheeks
were flushed, and she walked unstend-
lly across the ROOM.
"Whnt's the mntter, lrene2 What's
the matter, chlld2 Are you sick 2"
cried her mother. %sprlnging from ner
he'd.
mo, I'm not sick" said the girl bru.
tally. "Im drunk !"
"Oh, don't say that" said her mother
s%oothlngly. "Proper people do not be-
come drunk. You may have had too
much champagne and tomorrow you
will have n headache"
"Motherl | have had too much
champagne. but not ms much ms that
precious Carlton Of yours had planned
for. | Just wanted TO see how des-
plcahle he was, aud | nonted down
stream with him MS far as | dared.
But Just MS the current got too swift
struck for shore. oh. we made a
scene, all right, but nobody knew me
there, 80 the family name Is safe and
you can rest In peace. | called n taxi,
and when he tried TO follow me In |
slapped him and kicked him. Kicked
him. mother. Drendfully undlgnlned,
wasn't ~ And that's what
YOU want me to marry, In place Of a
mani"
Mrs. Hardy was chattering with
modification and excitement. Her
plans had mlscarried. Irene had mis-
behaved. Irene was n difficult, head.
strong child. II was useless 10 argue
with her In her present mood. II was
useless TO argue with her In amy mood.
No doubt Carlton had been lmpetuous.
Nevertheless he stood high In his set
ana his father was something OF a
power In the financial world. As the
wife Of such a man Irene might have
q cnrcer before her--a career from
which NJ least some OF the glory would
reflect upon the sllverlng head OF the
mother Of Mrs. Carlton.
"GO to your ROOM she said at
length. you nre In no condition 10
tnlk tonight. must say II IL a shame
that you can't go out for an evening
without drinking too much and max.
ing a scene. What viii Mr..
Carlton think OF you9'
III he remembers all / told MIN
about himself he'll have enough TO
think o." the girl blnzed bnck. "Yuu
know-what have told yOu-and stlll
Mister Carlton stands as high IN your
sight M ever. | am the one to blame.
Very well. I've tried your choice md
I've tried my own. Now / mn I'm n
position 10 Judge. There viii be moth.
ing 10 tnlk about In the morning.
Afpntion Cnrltonis mama Ga "a, -.