Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-14
THE GIRL WHO
ALMOST MISSED
By Mary Douglass.
AUNT MARTHA ADVISES.
ELaa- V "

Chapter Xxx.
felt heavy-eyed and miserable when
/ woke the next morning. Peggys fate
was decided; and need no longer worry
over her. But my own? 1t seemed no nearer
sblution than it had two months ago.
Things had come about SO strangely.
l was living comfortably without the
painful worry of money to make my days
unhappy. Yet other things had taken the
place of that old trouble.
Love- could not expect that, with
Jamie three thousand miles away. If
he had only written to me--let me know
that he would care to hear from me-but
! had not even one short postal from
him since he had reached France.
Work-the only kind ] felt counting,
nowadays, | could not do. To nurse
overseas, to be in a Canteen-how |
cnvicd those fortunate women who were
making their lives count for something
i'm the great strugglel | must stay here,
where would be near Peggy and see that
she did not plunge into some wild thing.
Marriage hesitatcd. thought
of last night and Mr. Tremaine. He
had said, Il wish you would go with me-
But that was all He was not a tmid man,
shy man, he would ask me to-Yet why
had he gone last night in that strange
way? Nor had he made love to me
except, that night, perhaps, when he held
me in his arms. Sometimes | wondered 1t
it were he, after all
On a sudden, the idea came to me.
| would go to Aunt Martha. She was
always tonic to me when | needed advice.
She saw things clearly. with little scntl-
ment. and a good balance.
| turned on the shower and came
out feeling fresh and vigorous. | dressed
quickly and peeped at Peggy, to find that
she was still asleep with her hand curled
under her check, and baby ringlets on
her smooth forehead.
Aunt Martha was washing the break
fast dishes, when | reached her nice,
old fashioned house.
Cant get maid, she explained,
so I'm dom things for myscl IS
very annoying because it takes SO much
time from my war work. really think you
ought TO go in for this
Even my spare time isn't my own,
told Aunt Martha. II have to be
at Mrs Newton beck and call every
minute There are letters % write and
shoppingto do then attend 70 some Of the
fine sewing and see that her clothes arc
kept in order, and take her out II the car.
I'm learning to run il, YOU know. When |
she wants 10 know about ani give her a
resume.
WHY don't YOU get IN independent
positlon?" Aunt Martha asked curtlv
There's Peggy, | went on. and
this wav can save up 50 that she VIII
have some place . 70 between engagement
Nonsense. All nonscsncl Aunt
Martha fired the words At nc as though
they were shots "Nou let her look out
for herself You are not responsible for
her. Live your own life It's about time YOU
were married.
| felt vcr- conscious. when ! asked
the next question :" DO YOU think ono can
be happv. il she marrics mean # she
marries man that she likes hut
Aunt Martha sat down comfortably
and took up her knitting II You have
found some ono You like. with good
straight qualities, think You f'e tool
not 10 marry him
But If YOU don't love him persisted
Love, that's schoolgirls idea oi
marriage There's nor ono marriage for
love uur 81 ten What do yon think women
marry for. ANYWAY Because they want
home, or thcv want children, or they are
tired Of working 4 good number 81 them
marry because some man asks them
10. and thew think they may never get
another chance Besides the marned
womans position in the community Is
more dignIhed one than the splnstcr :
No. | tell YOU if q man wants To marr1 YOU,
YOU take him unless there's some reason
whv YOU can't stomach him.
watched Aunt Martha as she sat
at her knitting | had always thought
her advice sound and Wotrh having |
realized that she might be right IN these
remarks Of hers about marriage but |
did not ike them | did not want -
believe them underneath i Ill could
not believe them.
There is such a thing a. love. in spite
Of the cheapncsS OF which i Is spoken.
| knew it to be the most precious, m
vlolable possession of a proStHc world
I walked home slowly, revolving hosc
thoughts in nv mind believed in love
utterly vet. / decided hat would
marry Mr. Trcmainc if he proposed
had heard 50 often that a woman can
grow 10 lovc her husband after marriage
Besides. / should be safe | could NJ
wavs offer Peggy home and should have
that feeling OF being cared for that
precious feeling Of belonging 10 some one.
felt like a wal that any sharp wind
could blow down some POISONOUS alley
| pressed the button Of my new home.
Within heard voice Mrs Ncwtons,
What time did he leave last night
/ recognized the angry, sharp tone, that
meant one Of her dissatisfied moods was
ra ging
So softly came into the room, that
Mrs Newton did not see ne.
You're back sooner than you cx-
pected?" ! asked
She tapped ifnpatiently with her
pencil on the desk But even then ! was
not prepared for the saber thrust ot her
lirst remark
II see no explanation whatever for
your unheard-ol behavior
Monday Tempest and Tears
Former Congressman Walter Q Ilof-
fecker Of Smyrna and Representative