Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-05-06
TO THE CITY
PTER 66

Il In %
? Alice had never loved Lawrence as
much as she did h last few weeks.
before h left for the city. Through
her correspondence with the college,
h had found out where the weak
points in her studies were, ana she
worked hard to make them UP. And
Lawrence helped her. going over her
books, clarifying things that bother.
cd her, even studying up subjects
she knew he was not interested in.
so as to be able to help her more
effectively.
Some afternoons when she wanted
to study he would sem his n
around with a chauffeur and send
Mrs. Fairbanks and Berenice out for
long drives, so Alice could be quiet
and work. On lei afternoons they
would walk yer to a meadow on the
edge of h woods, where II was cool
and shady, and Alice would study
while Lawrence would lie IN the grass
and read magazines. At other times
she brought the baby here. but then
she could not get much work done.
Berenice was a mouselike little child,
quiet and contented with very little,
but any child is O hindrance to con-
centrated thought.
Clara. inspired by the amount OF
work her friend ives doing, had sud
denly become ambitious, co..
I'm now going to take up a course
IN designing and dressmaking by
mail" she said one day. And I'm
going to specialize in children's
froCks. This town is getting big
enough to stand a children's shop
and I'm going to open one next year.
Special things for children, under
six, you know-smock dresses. hand
made underelothes, really artistic
clothes"
THAT will be splendid Alice said.
nrrmntlN stir.
II hope it WILL" Clara answered,
then laughed. You see, I'm getting
to be an old maid. No n is ever
going to want to marry me, so I'll
have to be useful in some way. /
can't be a burden on my family all
ways. and I'll have to Invent some
sort of interests. I'm twenty-sevenl"
Don't talk about it-so am J."
Alice smiled in return.
yes, but you're engaged and I'm
not" =,
q moment later.
September list, In two weeks. on
Clara, tell me! I've that nice suit and
the evening dress Mrs. Marlowe gave
me. and I've several good blouses.
If / get n winter hat and high shoes
do you think III have enough cloth
esp"
So the talk went for that day while
the two discussed how few things
Alice need actually purchase.
Mrs. Marlowe sent over the SOUR
rel coat and the snug little fur hat
the day Alice left. :,
Mothers getting sables this year,
Lawrence said. And you used to
wear this last year when you went
with me in the car. Do YOU remem-
Der you had 1t on the day proposed
TO o hrst?'
Il remember. But / can't take IT.
Why, it's worth hundreds!e Alice
protested. -,
Of you wearing it. / can picture you
so well in il. 0 look so pretty with
all the fur around you"
And Alice could not refuse the gilt
so beautifully offered.
Before she went to h train-tho
afternoon train that was TO connect
with the sleeper through TO New
York-she went out In the car Win
lawrence. 1t was the last day OF
August. and the first hint OF cooi
autumn was in the air. -,
You will love me, won't your!
Lawrence asked, as as any
lover OF the futility of such a qtes-
'Of course 1 will" Alice answered,
her eyes happily smiling as she look
ed at him. You've been SO sweet
and dear. Lawrence"
iii come up lOI q
Thanksgiving" Lawrence said: "Bmi
~ / get so lonely / can't stand 1t, III
be up before that" -,
"Til write you twice a week, Allce
nromised. Lawrence, dear, ] am 80
happy I'm actually going TO the
CITY, to live there, to be among new
and interesting people. t gong 10
he wonderful. / don't wan anything
but the privilege of studying in a real
yollege, and of walking about through
streets crowded with millions OF
other people. of seeing gigantic bu1ld.
fngs-" she broke off with a sigh OF
pure happiness
ssWhat an enthusiastic child you
,rei" Lawrence laughed. We'll, you
will want more han that when you
get there. You'll want to taste q
iittle of the many-sided life of the
Big city" no
Snent." Alice said, turning her eyes
now blue and tender, to him. -,
II won't let you forget me. ~
I'D lots of ways of reminding you OF
J." he said, with a little air Oh
sstery.