The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-05-28
CHAPTER vlII-continued.

Seses@eSeseseees 10000
CHAPTER vlII-continued.
~
The outcome was that Mrs. Hardy |
insisted upon Irene embarking at once
upon a finishing course. Afterward |
they Travelled together for year in |
Europe. Then home again, Irene pur-
sued her art, and her mother sur |
rounded her with the social attractions
which Doctor Hardy's comfortable In
come and professional standing made
possible. Her purpose was obvious
and but thinly disguised. She hoped
that her daughter would outlive her
youthful infatuation and would at
length, in a more suitable match, give
her heart to one Of the numerous ell
gibles 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 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 that the
old attachment had died down and
would presently be quite forgotten in
a new and more becoming passion.
The fact is that Irene at that time
would have been quite incapable OF
T. ~ kDr ID EJdoy ord
its 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 she should ever marry him, let
his development in life be what 1t
would; but she felt that her heart was
locked at least for the present, to all
other suitors. She had given her
promise. and that settled the matter.
Notwithstanding her Indifference the
girl found herself encouraging Carl
toms advances, or at least not meet
ing them with the rebuffs which
had been her habit toward all other
suitors, and Mrs. Hardy's hopes grew
as the attachment apparently devel.
oped. But they were soon to be shat
tered.
Irene had gone with Carlton to the
theater; afterward to supper. 1t was
long past midnight when she reached
home. She knocked at her mothers
door and Immediately entered. Hel
hair was disheveled and her cheek:
were flushed, and she walked unstead
lily across the room.
"What's the matter, Irene? What
the matter, child? Are you sick?'
cried her mother, springing from he
bed.
mo, I'm not SICK" said the girl bru
tally. I'm drunk"
"Oh, don't say that" said her mothe
soothingly. Proper people do not be
come drunk. You may have had to-
much champagne and tomorrow yo'
will have a headache"
Mother! I have had too nue.
champagne, but not as much as tina
precious Carlton Of yours had planne
for. Just wanted to see how des
picable he was, and floated dowr
stream with him as far as daret
But Just as the current got too swift
struck for shore. oh, we made
scene, all right, but nobody knew m
there, so the family name is safe an
you can rest in peace. I called tax
and when he tried to follow me in
slapped him and kicked him. Kicke
him. mother. Dreadfully undignife
wasn't It? And that's VIII.
you want me to marry, in place Of
mani"
Mrs. Hardy was chattering wit
modification and excitement. HI
plans had miscarried. Irene had mi
behaved. Irene was difficult, hea
strong child. It was useless to arg'
with her in her present mood. It WI
useless to argue with her in any moo
No doubt Carlton had been impetuou
Nevertheless he stood high in his 8
and his father was something OF
power in the financial world. As Il
wife of such q man Irene might ha
career before her-a career fro
which at least some Of the glory wou
reflect upon the silvering head Of t
mother of Mrs. Carlton.
"Go to your ROOM" she said
length. "You are in no condition
talk tonight. must say it is shaI
that you can't 60 out for an event
without drinking too much and ms
ing a scene. What will \
Carlton think Of your"
IF he remembers all told h
about himself he'll have enough
think Of" the girl blazed back. ~
know-what have told you-and 81
Mister Carlton stands as high in ye
sight as ever. / am the one to blar
Very well. I've tried your choice a
I've tried my own. Now I am in
position to judge. There will be no
ing to talk about in the morni