The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-02
What did Gaylord expect Irene to


 do?
 She had asked this question as, with troubled eyes, she watched Irene unpack the lovely clothes that made up her new wardrobe. Irene's father would never be able to provide her with anything like these gowns.
 "Oh, Prentiss will have to give me some money when he gets the divorce" Irene had answered light ly. She did not wish her mother to inquire too closely into her financial affairs, for she was not disposed to share with her family the money her husband sent her weekly.
 Honey" her mother said ner- vously, don't you think you might be making a mistake in leaving Gaylord like this You know it isn't so easy to do without nice things once you've grown accus- toned to them"
 Irene flung q silken bit of lin- gerie impatiently into d drawer. You wouldn't have had me stay and be treated like a dog, would you?' she snapped.
 No, but " Mrs Everett hesi- tated, then plunged boldly on. Gaylord might see his mistake and make it up to you if you'd go back l mean he might ask you to come back, and well you oughtn't to do anything that would keep him from asking you" she ended lamely.
 Irene stared haughtily at her. What in the world are you driv- ing at?" she asked, but she knew we'll enough, for Mrs Everett had frowned on her interest in Tommy
 "I mean, dear, that you aren't divorced yet and Gaylord might not consider that you have right to go around with other boys"
 Huh" Irene spiffed. What other boys am I going around with Here I stay at home like recluse. minding my own business and try ing to forget how sahmefully I've been treated and now my own mother begins to lecture me be- cause an old friend feels sorry for me and is nice about it!'
 She started to sob into a pale green nightdress and her mothers protests were stilled. But she did not win her parent over to her own point of view. In fact, Mrs Everett worked against her where Tommy was concerned.
 For several successive Sundays following Irene's return Tommy went out with Beryl as usual. And Mrs Everett it was who told Beryi not to mind coming back in time to help prepare dinner or do lip the dishes.
 "One would think" Irene com- plained to her mother one lonely Sunday afternoon, that you don't want me here. You won't let me have any fun at all. If you'd made Beryl stay at home for a change Tommy would have taken me to the football game"
 "Beryl needs to get out one day a week." Mrs Everett retorted shortly, and Irene said no more. Her mother, she suspected, was be- turn to Gaylord. Perhaps she feared a scandal, for she'd repeated what a neighbor had said about Irene's going to picture shows with Tommy.
 If you just knew how Prentiss treated me- she walled, you'd be more sympathetic. ...
 Mrs Everett could not defend Gaylord. Appearances were against him for certainly he made no effort of which she was aware to win Irene's forgiveness.
 "Of course I'm sorry for you, honey" the mother gave in, but I want you to be careful until it's all settled"
 And you're hoping it vii lbe set tied by my going back to Oakdale," Irene declared. "But I'm never go- ing back. I hate that place! And if Tommy Wilson loves me it's mo- body's business!"
 Mrs Everett sighed. Please don't say such things" she said pleadingly, your father might hear of it."
 "I'm not afraid of him." Irene as- serted. "I guess you've told him a lot of things that aren't so to keep him from throwing me out of the house. I know I'm not welcome here," she added suddenly and be- gan to cry.
 Her mother, defeated, said no more, but the next morning, when she brought up Irene's mail to her she was again inclined to question the state of affairs.
 There was the mystery of the daily letters that Irene had been receiving, for one thing. Irene had never divulged the name of her but the handwriting | was plainly masculine. At first she ] had seemed glad to receive the let | ters, but after a few days she | showed the beginning of an indif- ference that grew in exact ratio to the interest Tommy was showing | toward her. Now the letetrs ap- peared to annoy her. She always read them alone but her mother discovered evidence that she de- stroyed them.
 This morning Beryl had told Mrs Everett that Tommy was getting a car of his own, one that he had picked up for next to nothing" at | the garage. The news disturbed Mrs Everett more than she let Beryl see. She remembered hearing | Irene say to Tommy that he ought to have a car. Now people would | talk, the woman thought.
 Beryl departed for the store ana Mrs Everett, alone with her thoughts while she waited TOT Irene to come down to breakfast became increasingly apprehensive.
 When the postman arrived and left the daily letter for Irene along with one or two others she trudged up the stairs with a settled de- vx