Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-14
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
Py Marion RubincnIn.
Copyright. George ~ atthcw Adams
WAS 1T LOVE-
Chantcr IN IT


no next few weeks At first, Lawrence
had not told his family that Alice had
nromised 10 marry him. and when he did,
be told only a part of it. That Is, he told
his mother they were engaged But that
Alice still said she did not love HIM en-
,irelv. and that the engagement was al
mos, a trial affair. he did not say.
He was sure that If Alice SAID she would
marry him. and If she allowed him to tell
her his love and to show it in little ways
every dav. that in time she would really
love him. But he could not tell his mother
all this.
th. news was characteristic. She crossed
the room and kissed her son. Then she
said.
"I'm sorry you haven't found the
virl You love in another social set. But
these things are superficial. when all Is
said and done. ] want YOU to be happy.
II ahce will make YOU happy, neither
vour father nor would care who she
was or where she came from. IN glad
she loves YOU, and that You are engaged;
Lawrence drew long breath, partly
relief that the telling of the affair was over.
If only Alice did love him, he thought
But she would. he was sure OF that
Mrs. Marlowc went on;
"Of course | shall call on her and her
mother AT once You might mention casuals
lv that LII drop in tomorrow afternoon.
Then We must have = reception here at
the house. So she can begin to meet the
people She must know ~ your wlte. |
wonder whether she'll need coaching?
\ little worried frown spoiled her other
wise very pretty forehead
! 4. IL tlx44 Il f.t4
Lawrence said, that I'm sure You II
manage everything as it should be. :
So the call was duly paid and the date
of the reception set ten days later
'You had better come to the house IN
the afternoon Mrs Marlowe suggt sted.
Il know my cook will look after the baby,
as she did before You can meet Mr.,
Narlowe then. and my niece. and rest
I'D for the evening. III send the car
later for your mother And now, my dear,
will YOU let me do something want to do
ysrv much" She smiled her most gracious
smile az Mice.
"Of course-what IS it," Alice asked
"Will YOU let me have your party
dress made for YOU? adore dressing young
urls, and m really very clever at II.
know exactly what YOU should have.
'But = Alicc began. Mrs. Marlowe
stopped her.
No. You must let me. Consider IT my
engagement gift to YOU if YOU wish Surely
may give dresses to my own daughter
md won't you be my daughter when
YOU marry?
80 Alicc found she could not refuse n
Qift so graciously offered. She had never
had anv really nice things before, except
the ring Lawrence gave her And when,
on the night of the reception, Mrs. Mar
lowe helped her into the new dress. she
was Tremendously excited and pleased.
She had not seen the frock before.
II was of softest blue chiffon draped
over cleaning SILVER cloth and there were
silver slippers with high heels 20 90 with
II. and lust enough of very rare lace to
make the whole effect stunning. Deia
Simons. Lawrence young cousin. waved
her brown hair slightly and dressed 1T
high on her head.
She stood looking AZ herself IN the
long mirror when the Others had gone
70 dress. She was beautiful. II was the
irst time in her life that she realized It.
She was more beautiful than Lois. And
hat thought send q wave OF eSultatlon
through her. She examined herself more
loosely.
Her gray-blue eyes, brought out by the
exquisite color Of her frock. shone like
stars. Her hair had hundred variations
inch lights and shadows IN it. Her cheeks
burned a vivid pink from excitement.
Her lips were red-and she realized
suddenly that her mouth was pretty
shape.
Yes. she was much better looking than
Lois. She needed merely the clothes, the
Leisure. the experience, 10 bring out her
prettincss LOIS was small and appealing.
out Alice was tall and capable OF regal
manner. She was glad her hands, stained
md hard and broken nailed from work,
we're hidden by her white gloves.
She really was beautiful There Is never
pleasure quite like that when girl first
xnows she has attained one OF woman 's
greatest ambitions-beauty And she was
o have the means and the time. now, TO
Ne q lovely and gracious woman. She
turned at a sound from the doorway
Lawrence, looking very handsome In his
dress suit, was standing IN the open door
way. his ewes taking her in with apprecia-
ton.
She went over 10 him and he put his
arms around her.
You re the prettiest girl ever saw,
he said
Alice smiled happily and kissed him.
Was il gratitude that prompted her caress?
Or was II love
Tomorrow Kindness Of Lawrence.