Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-10
| THE GIRL WHO
ALMOST MISSED
By Mary Douglass.
NEW SURROUNDINGS.
%NNyT

! Chapter XXVI.
Mrs. Newton greeted me at the doc
with warm kiss.
II was so glad to get rid of that pok.
Miss Jones, my last companion, yol
know. Take your things right of ant
come in and have tea with us"
! As passed along the hall, heard thu
| sound of voices had resolved that par
| of my new position was being ready iol
| anything. realized that it was not my
| place to show any of the sorrow that
! felt; Mrs. Newton would soon tire OF 8
companion who was sad or moody. II
| would not help Mother either, | realized
to mourn over what had been. knew that
she would have me put on n cheerful
exterior, at least. =,
looked around the dainty room that
WAS to be mine, with interest. 1t was all
comfortable from tbSwido, soft bed with
its silken covering to the dressing table
with its triple mirror. Luxurious, 1T seemed
to me. | wondered about Miss Jones
that she had not been satisfied with these
delightful surroundings.
As / entered Mrs. Newton's drawing
room, Gather timidly, | saw to my reilel
that it was empty. Mrs: Newton was
stretched out in charming attitude on
the wide davenport. She was smoking a
cigarette and turning the leaves OF a thin
cal. skin book. :,
"Have some tea and cigarette,
she said, waving TO the tea table
Almost with her first remark | under
stood my new position In hcr nome;
There was TO be nothing of the paid
comnanion: her attitude was one that
showed me | was to be her friend and
con6dsnt.
Listen to this" she began:
.fYour cves arc like fantastic moons
she broke off hurriedly Bother, I've got Q
meeting of that Red Cross Committee!
The book slipped to the floor when she
snranp I'M. Can YOU be ready III live
minutes? Notes, YOU know, SO take along
pencil and pad:
few minutes.
"Andrew." she said to the chauffeur,
"Twant Won to teach Miss Richards all you
know about cars: she Is going to run my
small one for me.
"Andrew," she explained TO me, is
drafted, and shall need you to help me out.
| was in for all sorts Of new duties, |
foresaw and was glad that should have
the chance Of keeping busy.
At the meeting took notes industrious
", although it seemed 3 mere pretense
TO me; for / wondered il Mrs. Newton
would ever use them. On the way out L
saw charming face that seemed familiar
to me-Ellen Conroy, | remembered, IN
flash-the girl whom had met on that
DIVE to Southampton with jack
How do YOU do she exclaimed
cordially, then noticing my black. she
nut her hand on my arm gently, II am so
sorry" We were parted IN the crush,
but | fels warmed, somehow, as though |
had met someone who understood.
s.Do YOU know Ellen Conroy?' Mrs.
Newton exclaimed IS We came into the
omen air. Il should like 70 meet her and
her brother. Dc you know she Is one OF
the wealthiest girls in New York IN her
own right?
| had not known II; and did not ex-
plain 10 Mrs. Newton, then, how | had
met her, for the limousine was stopping
before an imposing building that | thought
must be 0 private residence.
.fDarlev's,'' Mrs. Newton explained.
you'll want 10 get a frock or two, :"
she was leading nc up the white steps
quickly.
s'We'u see about that later. We were
seated in a beautiful room, with striking
color scheme in blue and violet.
"A street gown. Mrs Newton explained
4 tall, wlllowly girl came IN. She walked
slowly across the floor and turned once
and then again before US.
Rather good" Mrs. Newton said,
studying the dress.
But it isn't black" ! sand.
"No, don't wish you to wear black.
The girl had come back again. The
dress she wore was all of dark blue serge
and satin and heavy fringe. 1t was made
so simply that it defed description, yet
it was beautiful.
"We will take that" Mrs. Newton said
/ knew that the frock must cost at
least hundred dollars. 1t would take me
an endless time TO repay Mrss. Newton
and It made me feel miserably. tired TO
explain this to her, rs the manneqmn was
putting on another frock-for evening, this
time.
MY dear, I want you to look we'll"
How can ever thank your | said 10
her as we came out of the fascinating place.
by living with me" Mrs. Newton
laughed.
TO me she seemed the most gracious
and charming Of people. vowed that l
would do everything | could to please her.
To-norrow-The Dilemma.
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