Marble Hill press., 1920-01-08
CHAPTER vIII.-contlnued.

The outcome was that Mrs. Hardy
insisted upon Irene emharking at once
upon a finishing course. Aftcrward
they travelled together for year in
Europe. Then home again, Irene pur'
sued her art, aud her mother sur.
rounded her with the social attractions
which Doctor llardy'S comfortable in.
come and professional standing made
possible. Her purpose was obvious
and hut thinly disguised, She hoped
that her daughter would outliye her
youthful infatuatlnn and would n
length. In more suitable match give
her heart 10 one Of the numerous ell
gihleS Of her circle.
To promote this end Mrs. Hardy
spared no pains Young Carlton, son
Of banker aud one of the leading
men ~ his set. seemed a particularly
appropriate match. Mrs. Hardy
opened her home 10 him and Carlton
whatever his motives. was not slow To
grasp the situation. For years Irene
had not spoken of Dave Elden, and the
mother had grown 10 hope that the
old attachment had died down and
would presently be quite forgotten In
new and more becoming passion.
The fact 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 Sunhurnt boy OF romantic
memory; she was by no means sure
that she 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. 10 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 rehuffs which
had been her habit toward all other
sultorS, and Mrs. IIardys hopes grew
rs the attachment apparently devel.
orcd. Bu, they were soon TO be shat
tered.
Irene had gone with Carlton to the
theater; aiicrWard 10 supper II was
long past midnight when Sh" reached
home. IN" Knocked at her mothers
door and Immediately entered. Her
hair was diSh"Neled ani her checks
were flushed, and she walked INSTEAD
lily across the room.
whats the matter, Irene? What's
the matter, child? Are you slck?'
cried her mother, Springlng from her
bed.
NO, TIN not sick" said the girl hru.
tally I'm drunk"
"Oh. don't say that, said her mother
soo'h.u-iy. Proper people do not hc.
come drunk. You may have had too
much champagne and tomorrow you
will have q headache"
"Mothcr! have had too much
champagne. but not as much as that
precious Carlton Of yours had planned
FOR. | lust wanted to see how des.
picahle he was. and | floated down
stream with him as far as | dared.
But just as the current got too swift
| struck for shore. oh. we made n
scene, all right, but nobody knew me
there, so the family name is safe ari
you can rest in peace. l called n taxi.
and when he tried to follow me in I
slapped him and kicked him. Kicked
him, mother. Dreadfully undignified.
wasn't it? And that's what
you want me to marry, In place Of
man !?
Mrs Hardy was chattering with
and excitement. Her
plans had miscarried. Irene had mis-
behaved. Irene was difficult, head
strong child. 1t was useless TO argue
with her in her present mood. 1t was
useless to argue with her in any mood.
No doubt Carlton had been lmpetuous.
Nevertheless he stood high In his set
and his father was something Of a
power In the financial world. AS the
wife Of such a man Irene might have
career before her-a career from
which at least some Of the glory would |
reflect upon the silvering head OF the
mother of Mrs. Carlton.
"Go to your ROOM" she said at
ength. "You are in no condition to
ak tonight. l must say it is a shame
hat you can't go out for an evening |