Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-15
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
By Marion RubincaH-
Copyright. George n. atthew Adams
THE KINDNESS OF LAWRENCE.
Chnpter LVIII.

Chapter LVIII.
Alice knew afterwards that 1t was TN,
stunning dress that carried her through
the reception. OF course, Lawrences tao'
and kindness was about her like pro
tecting cloak all evening. He was always
there 10 save her in any little social emer'
vcncy. TO help her out where she might
feel hclpless-but il was the feeling thai
she looked as we'll and was dressed u
well az any woman present that made
Alice carry herself serenely through wha'
would otherwise have been n social or
deal.
Only a woman can know the socia
value of a new frock' Alice had never
before realized how closely clothes ano
society are intertwined.
Some of these people she had met
before in the work at the settlement house
and. without knowing 1t she had picked
nm there a few of the little manncrisms
that distinguished this particular socia
set. She brought all her intelligence to
this new problem. She listened TO Mrs
Nlarlowe and initiated her when she was
in doubt. Mrs. Marlowe received and IN
rroduced Alice, who stood next To her
and if there was anything parrot-like IN
Alices greeting of each guest who came
in. IL was certainly not noticed.
Lawrence stood next to- her, and Mr.
Narlowe, whom Alice liked nj once,
escorted the arrivals to Mrs. Fairbanks.
That little lady wore her best black tatfeta
a dress some Is years old. and made as
all old lady's dresses seem TO toe made
She had chair OF honor by the fireplace,
and a lapful of pink roses concealed any
shabbiness in her attire.
30, on the whole. the reception passed
off very well. Alice thought about 1t IN q
pleasantly dreamy fashion next day when
back in her worn calico housedress. she
bathed Berenice and tucked her IN Tor her
mornings nap. And when she settled
herself to study, she thought more OF the
party than of her work. IL was her first
real affair and she felt towards 1t as
any normal young girl would - only Alice
had waited 26 years for this event, and
most girls but II or Is
Lawrence came around in the after
noon, with brilliant yellow ball for the
baby. He took of his oyercOat and SAT
down on the couch. pushing aside Alioe's
books 90 make room for himself.
Was ! very awkward at my first at
Tempt" Alice asked shyly, vet anxious
10 know what sort Of impression she had
made.
"No; you were very good, Lawrence
said truthfully. ~ could see lack OF
ease because | know YOU SO WE'LL but
no one else could You take to frivolity
very well.
Alice smiled at him. She had seated
herself on one Of the little hassocks in the
room, and from this low place she had 10
look up az Lawrence. Ordinarily her eyes
were level with his-she was about his
height
II was doubly in love with YOU last
night" he went on. Every time | see
you YOU give me something new to adj
mire about YOU and 70 love Sometimes
It's your energy and your self-sacrihce
sometimes it's YOUR cheerfulness. Last
night YOU were lovely young debutante,
so had another side Of your character
to fall in love with.
Alice put out her hand, and Lawrence
took IT, And for while they said nothinss
The girl looked up az him. Lawrence
ewes were tender and wistful as he e
turned her look. She could tell easily
enough that he loved her-brown ey,s
can Ire even more expressive of affection
than blue ones. But he did not tell her
again.
Lawrence, she said gently after
a time.
ff4 nc AHkt1A
"You said. the night promised t.
tell YOU whether ] would marry you OF
not-you said then that ] would find out
really loved YOU. You said the old love
was an ideal and memory, and that
was allowing il TO influence me too much
You said II I would try 10 forget it, and
try TO love YOU, would find out that ]
really did
DO you2" Lawrence asked eagerly
Visit" Alice commanded gently
"You said If ] were engaged TO YOU, if
promised TO marry YOU, would love YOU.
Il could be So much nearer 10 YOU and
could do things for YOU that mere friend
could not, Lawrence said.
You said that even II | married YOU
snd still was not sure loved YOU entirely,
that love would cotne.
I'D rather you loved me wholeheartsd-
ly now,' Lawrence said. do YOU think
I'm right Do YOU love me, dear?"
Yes" Alice said. Then weakened her
statement by adding, Il think / do.
She smiled up at him again. And she
felt glad when he kissed her For the second
time his kiss made her happy-the first
tine had been the evening before when
he had stood in the doorway and adj
mircd her.
And so the ''trial engagement" became
4 real one.