Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-17
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
BY Marion Rubincam.
81 CANNOT DO IT."
Copyright. George atthew Ada

But no man who is in love with girl
can be nut off indefinitely. One afternoon
when Alice and Lawrence were out In his
car he asked her again when she was going
to marry him. And Alice knew from the
tone of his voice that she could not evade
any more. :. :,
".JuueP" Lawrence asked.
sNo, not June" Alice said hastily.
"Anv month but that" :,
'May, then-that's next month
Lawrence said, pleased to have the time
earlier. :, ~.
IL couldn't be ready so soon," Alice
evaded.
'Mother's going to have the trousseau;
she can get it together any time, Lawrence
gr,mbled II had been agreed that Mrs.
| Marlowe was to be allowed to supply
| the trousseau as her wedding gift Tor,
| as she said. il was foolish for Alice To
! snend from her small income for clothes
| that Mrs. Marlowe was only too ANXIOUS
! To rive. And Alice knew that various
| lovely garments had been selected and
| laid bv in big cedar chest in Mrs. Mar
| loves store room.
| "It's mother" Alice answered "She
| can't be in the present house alone, she S
| not well enough vet. I'll have to find her a
comfortable place near wherever we go
| with a family that can look after her II
she should be i'll suddenly, and I'll have
| to find a tenant for our house, and
"Alice," Lawrence cut IN suddenly
"voure evading. That can be all done II
two DAYS. Do YOU love me-do you want
to marry me-? =,
YES" Alice said in answer TO both
questions, and there was sincerity IN hei
tones.
"When?" Lawrence asked again.
"July."
And that was settled.
Since the announcement Of the engage
ment some time before, Alice had beer
entertained onite a bit by the friends whom
Lawrence had known. This had necessltateC
still more lnroads into the little bank
account for Alice found she had to have
suitable dresses. so Lawrence would not
feel ashamed Of her" as she expressed It
| Mrs. Marlowe had tried TO supply these
too. but Alice refused. allowing her
however, TO give the trousseau.
The one complete evening costume
she had In addition, with Clara help
she bought a suit and hat and low shoef
and new gloves. And with this she managed
70 90 through n Spring OF great festivltS
for her. She still had not learned (,
''6x herself up," as she called it, but she
was improving.
But now a period Of greater activity
began. There was little entertaining as tht
warm weather came on, Tor whlch Ahct
was grateful. Bui Mice was IN constant
demand at the Marlowes for ttungs
Of pretty, summery dresses Tier measure
mcnts were carefully taken and sent to 9
fashionable tailor for a dark stlt she
z l. II, a h,vruht was nnt
Quite smart enough and dainty blouses
with quantities Of handwork We're beng
made Mrs. Marlowe, with her own hands
was kn tt.ng sweater Of the sottest blue
and skirt Of striped heavy silk was made
to 60 with it.
Alice had learned how 90 drive Law
rences car. even how TO repair any minol
troubles that might occur. Lawrence !
little cousin took her III hand when shC
had time. and showed her how 20 play
tennis. Mrs. Marlowe wanted TO teach hei
golf. but Alice never had q moment e
spare for this, and they decided that 4
could wait
'iWe1l have n wonderful time thE
fall on the links Mrs. Marlowe said
I'm not very good. but can teach YOU a
little and well have some delightful visits
while we play.
No wonder Alice was happN. 'Nne
was TO be a member of the country club,
Of course. when she was married; she
went there now and then with Mrs. Mar
lowe and tried to remember the names and
faces Of the many people she met She
felt she neither looked nor acted. vet, like
one of them. but she was wise enough
not to let this trouble her
They know I've been poor. and I'm
not ashamed of it." she told Lawrence
''You're a dear Every day YOU say
or do something to make me love you
more" he burst out.
Alice was pleased at this confession
Then il worried her. She still felt at times
she had no right TO take Lawrence's love
when she could not try as she would
return it absolutely The old affection still
clung to her-she could not forget David
Yet she was bound now to Lawrence
bound bv ties of friendship, of gratitude
of warm affection, and by the conventions
of her engagement. She had to marry him
And. of course, she would, and make
him happy, too, as much as was in her
power.
But one evening when she was alone
she broke down.
al cannot do it, she said. And re
peated. 81 cannot do it,
! Naxf Mondav-I aurence's Suppeet tion