Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1920-05-01
CHAPTER Viii.-Continued.


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 hut thinly disguised. She hoped
that her daughter would outlive her
youthful infatuati0B and would at
length. In a more suitable match, give
her heart to one of the numerous ELI
gibles of her circle
To promote this end Mrs. Hardy
spared no pains. Young Carlton. son
of banker and one of the leading
men of his set, seemed II 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 nOj spoken of Dave Eden, and the
mother had grown To hope that the
old attachment had died down and
Il 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
its influence upon her attitude to life.
She was by no means sure thar 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 he what il
would; hut she felt that her heart was
locked. AZ 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
tons 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. Her
hair was disheveled and her cheeks
were flushed, and she walked INSTEAD
lily across the room.
whats the matter, Irene? What's
the matter, child? Are you sick?'
cried her mother. springing from her
bed.
mo. I'm not SICK" said the girl bru-
tally. "Fm drunk ~ ~
"Oh. don't say that" said her mother
soothingly. Proper people do not be-
come drunk. You may have had too
much champagne and tomorrow you
will have q headache"
'Motheri / have had too much
champagne, but not as much as that
precious Carlton Of yours had planned
for. Just wanted to see how des-
picable he was. and l foated down
stream with him as far as / dared.
But just as the current got too swift
I struck for shore. Oh, we made a
scene, all right, but nobody knew me
there, so the family name Is safe and
YOU can rest I'm peace. called taxi,
and when he tried to follow me In
slapped him and kicked him. Kicked
him, mother. Dreadfully undignified,
wasn't 1t? And that's what
you want me to marry. in place of
manH
Mrs. Hardy was chattering with
modification 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 10 argue with her in any mood.
No doubt Carlton had been impetuous.
Nevertheless he stood high in his set
and his father was something of
power i'm the financial world. As the
wife of such Il man Irene might have
a career before her-a career from
which at least some of the glory would
effect upon the sivering head Of the
mother of Mrs. Carlton.
go to your room" she said at
ength. You are in no condition TO
ak tonight. | must say it is a shame
hat you can't go out for an evening
without drinking too much and max
ne scene What will Mr.. |
Carlton think OF you?"
IF he remembers all told him
about himself he'll have enough 10
think Of" the girl blazed back. "You
know-what have told yOu-and still |
Mister Carlton stands as high in your
sight rs ever. am the one 10 blame. |
Very well. I've tried your choice md !
I've tried my own. Now ] am in n
position to judge. There will be moth !
ing to talk about in the morning. |
Mention Cartons name to me again |
and | will give the whole incident 10 |
the papers with photographs /
and names. Fancy the feature |
heading. Society Girl Intoxicated !
Kicks Escort Out of Taxi Good |
night"
But other matters were to demand |
the attention of mother and daughter |
in the morning. While the scene was
occurring in Mrs. Hardy's bedroom
her husband, clad In white, toiled In |
the operating room to save the life of |
4 fellow being. There was slip of |
IN instrument, but the surgeon toiled |
on; he could not at that juncture /
pause; the life of the patient was at |
stake. When the operation was fin
ished he found his injury deeper than |