Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-03-05

Chapter XIII.

A00Qtcf A-A1l1.
It had been agreed between Ahce
and David that the wedding should DC
delayed.
"Aftcr all, we hadn't planned definite
" to be married in late July" Alice had
argued. "And as things are now, ! don't
see how can do it. Mother has been a
little worse than usual, and there are q
lot of reasons. Lois thinks q Mrs. Brad
shaw in New York will offer her home
for tho winter and send her to q business
school. That will leave me free again.
David had gr,lmbled rescntfully. And
Alice had kissed him and coaxed him into
a better humor. But lately, he had ceased
to protest so much.
But Alice had not given him all her
reasons--there was one thing she hated
to talk about The little income they had,
was, in the past, enough for necessities OF
ife. Alice's good management and the
occasional money she made with her
garden and her canning, brought in few
Injuries. But Lois had increased their
expenses by more than third. For Lois
liked dainties, and Alice good naturally
liked to give them to her.
''It's funny to ses- her eyes light up
like kids when l make a layer cake,
Alice told her mother. ''Of course, it takes
Il
now-eggs are getting awfully high.
The little income had ceased to reach,
and occasional timid inHoads had been
made, into the principal since Lois advent.
IF l marry David, it will be all right,
for therell be enough for your, expenses
when you live with us at the farm, Alice
said cheerfully. IF / don't I'll take posi-
ton this fall.
IF YOU don't,' echoed Mrs. Fair
banks. MY dear, what do you mean?'
Nothing" Alice said innocently, and
went on about her work. Her mother
heard her in the garden singing. but the
old lady shook her head and looked
troubled
PERHAPS it was this doubt which crept
into her mind. that made her watchiul
the next few DAYS. To Mrs. Fairbanks,
life was ordinarily simple affair. When two
people fell In love and were engaged, they
were as good as married, and that either
should have any serious thoughts of an
other person never entered her mind. IL
people married and were unhappy, that
was sad. but after all, life was not overly
joyful That the strong, handsome David,
who was engaged to her daughter, should
even look at another woman, did not
occur to her.
Until
Lying on the living room couch under
the window, she heard David and Lois
come back from the drive "A casual glance
into the living room caused Lois to re-
mark that "auntie and Alice must be out"
And the two sat and talked. Mrs. Fair
banks could not help but hear.
you're too fine to waste your time
on this Model Farm" Lois said once.
There's no future for you there. In the
city, you would have opportunities TO do
big things, things worthy of you"
Later when that subject vas dropped,
she laughed and told David he had curly
hair like babys. Il like huge, strong,
msnly man, who has nice small-boy
characteristics, like you," she said again.
Later she showed him ring she was
wearing, and made him read her palm.
'It' 8 all right to hold hands with YOU, since
you're going to be my cousin" Mrs. Fair
banks heard her say once more.
David left without even asking for Alice,
who was ding that afternoon with her
little Peppita in 'Shanty Town" And
when Lois came into the house, Mrs. Fair
banks was sitting by the table, looking
as though she were ready to cry.
My dear, you must not act SO, she
said. turning about on Lois, her gentle
manner almost gone for once.
Don't you know he's engaged to
Alice? Don't you know everyone in this
town knows it, and that you'll get your
self and him and Alice, too, talked about
But wasn't doing anything" Lois
defended herself.
You were flirting with him out
Mrs. Fairbanks said. do you
think that's nice for a young girl to do,
when the man is engaged, almost married
TO her cousin.
Lois threw herself down on the couch
and burst into tears--She cried, too, like
a child, with a long, shuddering sob, and
occasional wild protests of innocence.
And it ended by gentle Mrs. Fairbanks
putting her arms around her, and the two
wept on each others shoulders,
ndkissed and begged each other pardon
When Alice came home, the storm was
over.
But that evening Lois slipped out,
carrying a letter to be
mailed, and walked rapidly down the
street.
Tomorrow Ruse.