Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-21
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
BY MaSion Rubincam.
Copyright. George Mstthew Adams
A CRITICISM.
WY


But Clara had to he told, 40 the day
after she and David had gone to the show
Alice went around to her homo to see her
'1 haven't the time," she told he'
mother" But I'm afraid should tell her
II IL gets out and she hears indirectly
she'll feel badly because l didn't let hei
know"
Alice knew. too, though she would not
tell even her mother. that Clara was taking
more than friendly interest in David
and since they were engaged she felt the
sooner Clara knew the better.
Clara WAS out on the front porch
screened by the climbing vines and very
b,isily sewing.
sits your new dress isn't it2" Alice
said dropping down on the top step.
"It's awfully pretty"
'1'm altering it the waist Is too loose.
you wearg'"
"What will wear7 Tonight? What do
you mean dear?nn. Alice asked in surprise.
"The dance at Hooker's didn't you
know? David just told me Of it. It's that
lovely old farm house about five miles
out you know the Hookers. Well it's a
dance tonight. David is taking you and
he's bringing around man for me.
Clam tumbled out her information hap
hazard fashion.
mo / didn't know. suppose David is
at the house now Well he'll tell mother"
"You might act excited said Clara.
'Think of going to q big dance and going
with David Thorne! Every gir! in town
will be green with envy"
"Clara" began Alice bluntly "Did
you know about David and me?"
Clara dropped her work and looked at
L1x p,,vx>oo1,, AEox. oYp,ind her
eyes, Whatever Clara would give away by
her expression, Alice did not want TO see.
II seemed to her like a species of caves
dropping-to read from this girls manner
the possible secret of disappointed love.
Clara's thimble fell to the porch and
she lent over, fumbling to look for it.
No." she said quietly, 81 didn't"
the recovered thimble In her hand, and
came over to kiss Alice. "You are lucky
dear | could almost fall in love with him
myself. But you are not so lucky as he Is.
I've always wanted something nice to
happen to YOU, you've had such rotten
hard luck all your life. And hope this Is
II"
"It is" Alice said dreamily, nursing her
knees and looking away down the street.
81 never Unsigned could be so glad
about anything. l feel as though this
thing were SO precious, it couldn't last.
She got up, flushed and suddenly awkward
for her little speech.
But if Clara suffered from broken |
heart, she gave no evidences that night at |
the dance David had brought q man, a |
Guy Conrad who had come up from the /
city and who was former school friend OF |
David's. And Clara was evidently pleased /
with him. and was looking her prettiest IN 1
her new frock.
As for Alice. she suddenly wished, look
ing at Clara's freshness, that she had TAX
en- time TO fix herself up. In order to make
up for the time spent visiting Clara, she
had worked late In the garden, which al
ways took extra attention at this time OF
the year, and she had pricked her fingers
mending ruffie on her blue dress, and the
stains from the potatoes and onions she
bad peeled for supper had settled in the
marks as though forever. Scrubbing her
hands to free them of stain and dirt, she
had used kitchen soap and had made the
skin rough and dry, and her nails, as her
mother remarked, 'looked sight"
You could have neglected some things,
and we might have eaten cold things for
supper, that little lady said reproachfully
70 her. "Your gingham dress is not fresh
any more, l wish you would take the
aftifN-N SiiI pIN NptuSttl SOiftNiI1E lft1r l
like Clara has. And your hair
needs shampooing-
Dear mother, don't fret" Alice
easily. "The Hooker's don't
Snow me well enough to care what wear,
md David loves me anyway. He's seen
ne looking much worse than this"
Alice did not dance, but David did.
and she was quite content 10 sit and talk
o those who were too old or too awkward
% dance, and watch him. She was serene
md thoroughly contented when as most
we're fling out for supper, he came over !
or her.
CLARA has gone upstairs TO brush her /,
lair. Want to go too?" he asked. "Ill |
moke 8 cigarette and wait here for YOU
nd vel go in the dining room together" ]
why, does my hair need brushing -,
Alice asked smiling. 1t would be nicer to {
pend the time Oh the porch with him while {
le smoked!
at does, little" David answered. ,
Run along-I'n wait
In dismay Alice turned to mirror. {
Ter hair looked badly 1t almost always :
I'd, she had the sort that came down in
'isps without any provocation. Flushing |
nd hurt by his gentle criticism, she fol-
,wed Clara I'D stairs
Monday-Happiness and Doubt. 8