Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-03-01
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
BY Marion Rubincsm.
Copyright. George s.Atthew Adams.



Lady" by the children of the little town
OF Harrington because of her bright smile
and sunny disposition. She seems to rise
superior TO circumstances--he father s
death, her mothers ipvalidism, the
struggle to make an insufficient income
keep Them comfortably. And when she
meets and falls in love with David Thorne
and becomes engaged to him. her cup OF
happiness seems overlooking.
David has been attracted by Alioe's
happy, easy-goiDg disposition. Only once
her comfortable carelessness--in the mat
ter of her appearnnce--called forth a
gentle rebuke. Mrs. Fairbanks sister
dies, and her daughter Lois, left pcnni-
less, is asked TO stay with the Fairbanks.
Alice gives up her trousseau to send the
money for her fare to Pennington.
CHAPTER XIX.
Several days passed after LOSS ar
rival and the little family on Dexter street
settled down into its new routine. Alice
as usual arose about in the morning,
and she and her mother breakfasted at tho
table at the kitchen window, while the
wind blew gently in, laden with all the
perfumes of June.
As usual, she vent through her routine
Of work, often thinking how curious it
was that so small place should require
so many hours of effort. The morning
was gone by the time breakfast was clear
ed away, her mother dressed and es-
tablished comfortably on the porch, the
house clean again, and the dinner ready.
Dinner was at noon and Lois usually
never came downstairs until then. Alice
would hear her stirring around about IL,
and presently she would hear the water
running in the bath-tub, and while the
young visitor bathed, Alice would slip I'D
and straighten her room.
I'll do il" Loi would protest sweetly,
coming u rom her bath ros and sweet
!, her blue velvet robe, her golden hair
flying around her face and her checks pink.
81 nay as well, while | am doing my
own roou,' Alice would answer cheerfully.
For LOIS never protested strongly
gro Ugh TO be convincing. At noon she
would be at the table, in the draped silk
negligee Alice admired So The two women
had tea for lunch, but Lois liked coffee,
''since its my breakfast she explained.
And she liked eggs and hot rolls, so Alice
baked crisp little rolls and buns especially
for her, and cooked her breakfast while
she made a heavier meal for herself and
her mother.
Alice told her mother, when Mrs. Fair
banks protested at the extra work.
But she goes upstairs to dress while
YOU do the dishes She could help you
little, Mrs Fairbanks said
''Well, perhaps, but it would be shame
TO trail that pretty gown in the kitchen.
and she's not used TO work, you know.
Alice laughed cheerfully as she stirred the
dish mon in the soap water
Lois did no work. Her dressing took a
long time, but As Alice said,
the results justified it Her golden hair
was waved and piled high on her small
head, her nails were given a daily mani |
cure, her dresses were perfectly adjusted. |
Her sheer black silk stockings revealed |
her slim little ankles, and her dull black !
pumps were hsgh-heeled and buckled, |
and VERY article OF clothing seemed to 90 |
perfectly with every other.
The neighbors were fascinated by |
this little blond doll in its simple but |
good looking black dresses.
Mrs. Riley called almost daily; Mrs. |
AIyer, always in house dress and apron,
would come and sit in her favorife perch |
On the porch step, and look adoringly al |
Lois. And Lois, laying aside tbs love /
stories she was always reading, would I
ak by the hour TO them-of New York, /
II the lie there, of theatres, dances, +
,lothes. She would give them advice on
making new dresses and predict the coming |
tyles.
1T must be dull Tor YOU here. where
here is no life" Mrs. Myer ventured.
You must have had awful good times In
New York
Yes. we did. but you see. my dear
mother was alive then, and we always
vent out together. Her friends were mine
md all mine were hers Lois pulled down
Ter little pink mouth, and looked the
picture OF despair
Its so sad for you," sympathized
Ms. Riley, who had fallen in love with
he newcomers Dresden china prettiness.
Yes, no one can guess how desperate
y lonely ] am" Lois leaned back in her
hair, her blue eyes closed, her long
ashes sweeping her cheeks. And ske sigh6d
ieeply, with an in taken breath like
hid who has wept until exhausted
But mustn't talk SO, make Auntie
ad," and Lois smiled at them, a smile
uggestive of unshed tears and went over
nd kissed Mrs. Fairbanks.
''Shall we have tea?" she suggested
after. Its nearly four.
ii make it, and bring out some Of the |
ookies Alice made this morning"
I'm make it." offered Alice, coming
round the porch, her arms full of tools.
No, I'd rather. It's an art, serving
ca, and you've never learned it, DEAR"
nd Lois went in the house, almost purring
fter this little remark.
What comfort she must be 10 YOU,
he's with you so much, and Alice, OF
curse, is busy all day and away from
GU" Mrs. Myer summed up the situation.
''Such q sweet little thing, SIS soft
5 a kitten" Nfrs. Riley said. And
lice said nothing. Resting on the step,
red from her work, she still smiled, but
lis time with little amusement. She
ked and admired Lois, but she already
new the existence of the kittens claws.
he remark about serving tea was only
Nc of several daily little comments
I'd criticisms that Lois, in her sweet
oice, had made