Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-21
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
Nv Marion Rubican-
Copyr "a. George Matthew, Adams
HAPPY LADY.

HAPPY LADY.
Chapter LXXNI.
60 once again Alice faced heartbreak
and A ruined life. Once again she saw
the faint chance OF happiness ~slp from
her. forever, she thought.
For first there had been the ordeal
of seeing the empty-headed LOIS go away
with David. And then there was the nee
cssarv definite break with Lawrence--nc-
cause Of her unconquerablc owe Tor DaVld
For a time shecen grl eyed over ne iact
that she had gone to coliege--ior the long
absence from David the feeling that he
bad moi cared for her. had made her turn
10 Lawrence and find consolation IN his
love. Now even that was denied her.
But once again her Unborn optimism
can,e to her rescue AZ before she tired
to find relief in hard work.
She actually had to find work this tune
Mother insists on doingall the house
work" she told Clara. few mornings
after her last interview with Lawrence
al don't know what to find to occupy my
time The place can be house-c leaned 1t
looks as neat as the provcrbial pm And
/ can't start garden this carly the
season.
The two Girls shared the same room.
Alccs old room on the second moor.
Berenicc had been moved INTO the only
other place, the quiet back room which
Mrs. Fairbanks had always had IL
was quite early In the morning, and neither
girl had gotten up.
Clara slid out Of the covers carefully,
uniting a shppcr on each foot as 1t touch
ed the cold air. and covering her shivcring
self with warm bathrohc hen she
trotted over and closed the window, and
opencd the radiator in the floor. \ gust oi
heat came uD from the pipe leading 70 the
big stove in the living room below,
Il wish the season were Tar enough
along so YOU could dig a garden she
remarked lit wouldn't be 81 cold IN
the mornings then Bless your mother.
She has a big FIRE going, II will soon heat
up. She probably has heaps Of hot water
for baths too.
That's Just IT," Alice answered
irving to get into her own bathrobc rs
soon as She got UP from tho warm bed,
50 the cold air would not touch her and
start her shvcrng. Mother keeps rs
81 comfortable We haven't any work y
do | cant sew. or | would help you.
vou have all the work YOU can handle
And more. Clara agreed. dong her
hair hastily into a knot. II like to
have vou as m assistant. need one
\
get me n good assistant for my work.
and Tor nv kiddics Shop when ! open
II
You had better 60 back to college,
her mother suggested But Alice felt
She could not do this. Much rs she want
cd To go on with the studies. She dared not
see David again.
-. after she had bathc,l and dressed
Rerenicc She found herself. almost Tor
the first time in her life. With nothing
IL do She was too nervous to ST down
and stulv. her mother refused ~ al
low her to % down town and find
position.
..Aftcr few weeks You will settle
down and 60 back to tho city. She said
Please don't take one OF those under
paid Jobs. YOU haven't hal experience
or training for any real work IN the stores
or offices, She SAID
Il am misft Alice said mi>erahlv.
Bv half past Il. she was ioo nervous 10
stav indoors. SO she put on her coat and
hat and went over TO ShantytoWn
She turned towards Peppita house
il would be pleasant 10 sec her httle
friend again she thought She Knocked
al The door. and was admitted by ono
az the numerous chubby babies that
always seemed to bc running about the
place.
WHY. It The Happy Lady, awoman
voice cried
The Happy Lady Young voice
rchoed, and tall slim figure came IN
quickly. and fell into Alice arms
She fell literally. for in her excitement i
Peppita had forgotten her crutches
She had made the few steps from the next
room alone; as she explained later. she
still had to use the crlItches for any bat
very short distances. But she was getting
better.
Alice sat down and looked 81 her
After the manner of her race. Peppra
had changed suddenly from little gIrl
to Young woman. There Is little al the
prolonged period Of development among
the Spaniards, as there Is among the
English or the American girls The mere
baby of today i q Young lady tomorrow
fairly well versed in the arts Of coqucttry
Peppita was certainly beautiful, still
too delicate in health 10 look coarse, as
her family did, but strong enough now
to have a clearer skin and little color
Her black eyes flashed with animation
her dark brown hair was soft and silky
her eve lashes were marvellous lor length
ind thickness.
You re very beautiful, Peppita. Alice
said
I'm 50 glad to see my Happy Lady
again, the girl answered Alice sat
pensive Happy Lady, Her old title IN
that part Of the town-in fact. even in
Dexter street. Happy Lady. How did
they give her such a name, when she had
suffered so much unhappincss? Il sounded
curious TO her ears.
Tomorrow O1oar Nnu-z