Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-07-01
\ SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
The Story oil Woman's Transfor nation
BI MARION RUBlNCAM.
rrotsrtc. ~ George ~ ~ thcw Adams.
ESTHER'S ADVICE.
CbaptcY XVI

ESTHER'S ADVICE.
Chapter XVI.
The day after Commencement, true to
his word. Mark Upjohn came around m
his little snub-noscd car. and took me
out for n drive. | always enjoyed auto
riding, and had done little of 1T, though
most Of the farmers about our way pos
scsscd inexpensive machines.
But this WAS not q pleasant ride. MARX
drove slowly and cautiously; moderate
" good horse would have covered the
ground faster.
There's been lot of changes since
| wss here last, he remarked now and
then rs we went along. He pointed out
things that were different, the new barns,
the many factories, the villages that had
expanded into miniature towns. lie had
remarkable memory for small things:
He stopped in front of leather fac-
tory. one of the many shoe factories
that had come up in our part of the
state.
You wait here" he told me, and
went into the office. And wait did for an
hour at last. staring ahead at the most
unintcrestlng group OF cottages He came
ou, at least. and without word of apology
for his delay. he started the car elong the
road home.
lie never asked me where / wanted
T. 90, or what wanted 20 seel
Il thought you'd like to come with
me. he remarked on the way bsck.
And | had to drive over to see Cuth-
bert about some shoes he's wholesaling.
I'm thinking of taking up shoes as
side line. he added. seeing an explanation
was necessary. Got big grocery business,
YOU know: thought Id add on shoes and
A.. ia,yn,r.c nd
new people coming, means more trade.
You sound very prosperous, ! OBJ
served, thinking that Esther would be
interested in any gossip l might bring
her.
"Oh yes, I'm good business man
n good BUSINESS man, he said, with a
broad smile of satisfaction. His profile
looked curiously inadequate for the size
uf his face, as | glanced at him. This
is So often the case with fat men--neck,
cheeks and body outgrow the original
pattern, so o. speak. and the general
effect Is the prof,e OF q child of four on
the frame Of n man OF 40.
I've made quite a lot of money, quite
lot he went on. Guess ! can practical
" retire soon. I'm thinking of taking Billy
in with me Seems as though my business
ought to 20 60 some member of my family,
and he : INV own siftcT son.
'Oh, YES. yes. they do appreciate IL. "
his tone was oily. 10 was so complacent.
.Ill make q man of him. III work him
hard make him learn the whole thing;
IN "A few years III turn over the actual
work of Il % him. and just keep majority
interest In the place-sort OF retired part
ner.
Billy 90 do The work. Mark 20 take
the profitsl But | WAS wise enough not
t. say this.
Got nice house over there too"
Mark went on. House, garden, gsrege'
he pronounced II 'caradge got my
car, and good housekceper. My wife
would have an easy time of It.
"Your wife But thought" II slipped
out. | had not mesnt to say that.
'>ura, | am. widower," he answered
my half-spoken question. "But there's
no reason why should stay one, is there7
l got lot t. offer a wife, nice house"
| was afraid he was going down the list
again, but his attention was distracted by
passing car.
rs got out-unassisted, by the way-at
our gate.
well YES, I thought you might" he
said graciously. Il had TO drive over
there, and | thought, since you don I get
out much any more, you might enjoy
going"
And with this gallant speech, he drove
of. But he did turn around TO shout
back that he was coming again.
Amused, and angry-nostly angry
| went up TO the porch. Esther was in
the kitchen, ready TO dish up the supper.
She turned TO me, her small ewes eager for
news / remember so well how she look
ed---it was hot and she had not worn
corsctf that day. Her figure was a bundle
of flahby looking flesh, held in the centre
by the loose stringy belt of her working
dress Beads of perspiration stood out on
her forehead, her skin was hot and shiny
Where she had corn, she had cut slit
IN her old hoes.
well tell me, did he say anything
xhc demanded.
knowing Esther, / recounted every
word be said, as far as ! could remern-
her Esther listened eagerly, occasionally
stirring the vegetables on the stove.
Wei, it would be Joke if he took
YOU after al. she said. Il thought you
were hopeless old maid by this time.
But he mght-men do queer things,
YOU never can tell about them" She
poured off the water from the potatoes
into pant was always saved for
soup. we never wasted anything.
"fou lost him before when you might
have had him." she said. 'Now, you
take my advice and get him this time.
don know but what il would be a better
thing anyway--hes made his pile now
and you'd have it easy. His first wife had
10 work. You've had it comfortable here
with US, now YOU can have it comfortable
with him. Yes, you get after him"
And this was Esther's way of taking
Romancel
Tomorrow-Groping.