Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-26
A SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
The Story Of Woman's Transformation.
BY MARION RUBINCAM.
POOR JAMES.
ChaDtNr "a

The atmosphere of hostility lasted as
long ~ Helen stayed. If she felt it--snd
she must have felt it, for she WAS really
very scnsitive-she never let on. And
though when we left, the air of disapproval
WAS still like thick cloud around us, in
some measure it had lightened.
But at first Jim refused to allow Violet
to 60 back to the city at all.
II won't have my daughter living near
such woman" he stormed. 81 did think
Enid had some sense, but guess Esther
was right she hasn't Not only lets her
know such people, but knows em herself.
A woman cutting off her hair like man,
and smokingl 1t amt moral"
Opposition suddenly fared up into
Esthers eyes. She swung about on Jim.
There's some that can talk about
morals and some that can't" she said.
And Jim subsidized.
After that, nothing was said against
our departure for the city. We were even
allowed TO 90 in August without question,
though the college did not open until Sep
tember. But Violet did have one exami-
nation to take, to work off a condition.
So we laundered our clothes, and ran
sacked the attic for more treasures
things discarded by Esther, but which
we might take with us to make our fiat
still more old-fashioned and quaint in
appearances.
following us through the dim attic. 'Smell
those lovely things from the ceilingl i
know. they have an awful odor-but it's
al so quaint.
<"Look at this" she called out a few
minutes later holding aloft large box.
isn't this hideous, but isn't it lovelyY
vi. do YOU think your mother would give
it to me-you say everything up here IS
Junk"
"What is it7" vi asked, pecripg through
the gloom.
1T seems to be an ocean of blue velvet
breaking on a shore OF pearly she lis,
Helen explained bringing the object over
10 us.
"Oh yes, it's handkerchief box given
mother when che WAS a girl, vi said. Il
remember she told me I picked half the
shells off when wss a baby and ate them.
II was a large box with blue velvet top,
surrounded by row of very pearly shells,
the sides being covered entirely with the
cleaning shells. 1t was much battered.
"Ill dig up some new shells from
Conev," Helen said "And put on fresh
velvet. III use it in my tea shop"
"Your tea shop!' Esther exclaimed
when Helen asked prettily for the box.
"Do YOU sell tea2"
We had to explain what a tearoom was,
and that this one was also a restaurant.
But she was very gracious about giving
the box.
But IL WAS James who WAS captivated by
our interesting guest He worked hard and
fast all day. to get off early. He washed
and changed to a clean shirt for supper,
and stole off TO the porch afterwards to
talk to Helen before the family assembled
out there.
Think of seeing this all the time" |
heard her say, one evening when twilight
was deepening. Look at the billowlng
ocean Of mist, where the meadow is, and
the moonlight and the space between the
tree. opening out upon it. 1t reminds me
of a bit from Keats.
''Do you like poetry" she turned to
him, her intelligent brown eyes all alight
behind her dark-rimmed glasses:
Not much. That is. / do when you |
quote it. But l like machines, and wheels,
and engines that turn things. There s
sort of poetry In them, isn't there?" lie
asked it shyly. l never heard James talk
this way.
Indeed, yes. There would have to be
poetry, for there's rhythm in the purr OF a
well-oiled engine, and IN the hum OF Tying
wheels" she answered.
That's it-thats what l feel. Don't
you, Vi?'' he turned eagerly to his sister.
vi nodded, bobbing her golden head up
and down in her eagerness to agree
Tell me some more about 1t, Helen
said She sat down quietly, insnnctiveiy
feeling she must not break the thread OF
the boys thoughts.
Il had little workshop where had
peach of an engine" he said hurriedly: i
made it run by using q strap and pulley,
but / was going to get it perfect, as L
thought il out, then take IT over to a
garage where l work sometimes, and start
II going with gas-it was gasoline
engine, he explained.
"And what happened" Helen asked
"It-it got broken" the boys head
turned away. And / knew Helen knew, IN
spite of his brave attempt to hide the
truth. 81 was going to run away, he
turned 10 her again, \ and spoke almost
freely. "But every time / was ready TO 60
i Just couldn't, that's all. It's easier to
stay Do you think ought to run away,
when / said SOP"
That's for you TO decide Helen said.
Whatever is in your own soul will always
lead you"
Its easier to stay" James repeated,
all the FIRE gone from his voice.
Tomorrow-We See Bud.