The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-01-28

this COW puncher. Let US know the
worst"
Irene's eyes few from her mother
to her fathers face, and there they
caught something that restored their
calm.
There was no worst" she said
with ripple of laughter, "but there
was good deal of best. Shall tell
you the best?"
"Irene," said her mother severely,
ibid you permit that young man to
make love to your"
II did not give him permission. IL
that answers you. because he didn't
ask it,"
Mrs. Hardy had risen. Andrew,
you hear that? She confesses. It's
dreadful! Horrible! What will ev-
erybody say?'
mo worse than you have said, I'll
be bound put in the doctor.
"Yes, take her part. What care you
for the family name?"
II have a right TO speak for the
family NAME" said the doctor firmly.
1T was mine before Ii was yours.
cannot see that the family name has
been compromised in the slightest de-
gree. This is Irene's first adventure.
1t will pass away. And even If 1t does
not-he is manly boy"
Mrs. Hardy surveyed her husband
hopelessly, then turned TO Irene.
Have you made any promises?"
Il En
promises until he had his chance. That
seemed fair"
81 suppose you are receiving letters
from him?"
"No."
"Why doesn't he writer"
For the first time Irenes eyes fell
and the color mounted richer in her
cheeks. She had 10 confess now, not
for herself but for him.
"He can't write" she said.
"Merciful heavens!' exclaimed Mrs.
Hardy, collapsing into a chair. i.
Andrew, bring me a stimulant."
The outcome was that Mrs. Hardy
insisted upon Irene embarking at once
upon a finishing course Afterward
they Travelled together for a 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 outlve her
youthful infatuation and would at
length, in a more suitable match, give
her heart 10 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 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 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
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 IL
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 10 the
theater; afterward 10 supper. Ii was
long past midnight when she reached
home. She knocked at her mothers
door and Immediately entered. Her
hair was dlsheveled 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. I'm drunk ~
ooh, 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
Wal have n headache"
"Motteri / 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 I foated down
stream with him as far as / dared.
But just as the current got too swift
struck for shore. Oh. we made a
scene, all right. hut nobody knew me