Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-17
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
By Marion Ruhicam.
Cocyrtshs, Gcorre Matthew Adams.
MORE BEGINNINGS.


So hard. Ii attracts to her first David
Thorne. with whom she falls IN love.
rrsas, are engaged snd Alice Is wonderfully
happv when she suspects David to be at
tracted to her cousin Lois. She breaks tho
engagement, and hears later that LOIS
has married David. -,
In irving to piece together her llie
again. she adopts a baby Berenlce, de-
serted by wandering family. Through
this she comes TO know Lawrence Mar
lowe, and eventually becomes engaged
TO him. She feels she must finish a desired
college course before marrying HIM, SO
comes to the city. Here she meets DAVID
and finds that he is still IN love with her,
and unhappy.
leaves suddenly and goes home.
CHAPTER LxNxv-
Pennington and home'
Alice climbed down from the tram
and looked about her. Everything was
exactly the same. Even the floor OF
the station was as rough and uneven
as full OF knot holes and uncomfortable
70 walk on. as it had ever been. Some o!
the old black crayon drawings, done on
the sly by youngsters, were stlli on the
brick walls; they had not been scrubbed
off. even.
After all, it was only half year since
she had left for the city. Certainly tnat
was not long. But there was new station
man. she did not know this one. She saw
him at the baggage car, pulling oil the
old rrav-green trunk she recognized as
her own.
1t is never lonely gong on trip, even
when one goes alone, for there is always
the excitement of getting of and the pros
rect of new places, new people ana new
experiences. But coming home Is dlf-
ferent--one should always be met at the
horneward end of the journey. 1t IS a COM
ing back to familiar things and TO
routine very dear routine,
but ono that is at least devoid OF excite
ment.
Alice felt desperately lonely. II she
had had the money, she would have
zone no further, but would have turned
hack and taken the next train to town and
to the college.
Fortunately, her sense OF humour
saved her. She even smiled at the weak
feminine mood that was on her--lt was so
unlike herself, she thought.
So she picked up her handbag and
walked down the platform to claim her
trunk.
where's Jim?" she asked the new
man.
Jim? Oh, the fellow that used 10 be
here? Hes got q job down the line at,
Newton. Got married and moved there
"Oh," Alice replied, uninterested at
once. Why had she asked such silly
question: She went over to the lItney
stand. -. :,
she told the driver. : 'Take-me 10 Dexter
street, number 1882"
GSVaStr-, 50 III the man with a reSnPPf-
ful glance at her clothes. Alice realized
suddenly how well she looked IN her smart
fur coat and cap. and her new shoes and
gloves.
She was home-and sorry TO be home'
Every new street displeased her. Dexter
street brought no thrill OF pleasure when
the carriage turned into it. February Is 8
dreary month. Alice thought.
Yet the sight OF the fresh curtains IN
her own windows made her eyes hight up,
and when she ran to the front door, she
was almost glad. Clara opened the door
and stopped, staring wide-eyed at the
newcomer.
WHY. Alicei Good Lord. it's Alice"
she cried, and held out her arms.
"Alice' What do you mean II was
her mothers voice from the kitchen.
Alice turned from one embrace to fall
into another, and Tor q few minutes
the three women clung TO each other,
and made the queer, incomprehensible
sounds women do when under a sudden
emotional stress. Alice was frankly
CRYING now. 50 was her mother. Clara
alone kept her head and told the driver
where to take Alice's trunk.
"lAwice, Awice, a small voice called.
Alice turned, and gathered Berenice
into her arms. Then she held her of
TO look at her, and after time, 2 Ger
tain amount OF calm returned 20 the roonl.
I'VE didn't expect you! Why didn't
YOU write" her mother asked.
You are surprise, was all Clara
could think Of.
"'Berenice, ! would not have known
YOU" Alice turned again to the baby.
her ewes showing her establishment For
Berenice had grown taller, and was filing
out beautifully. She was losing some of
the plumpness OF babyhood, gained with
the good food the Fairbanks had given
her, and was becoming a slender, grace
full little girl. Her dark eyes were round
and bright, her dark hair had soft curl
to it.
II cut it short all over her head. but
long enough to show It's waviness," Clara
explained 1T makes such a fluffy mop
over her head / didn't even want it to
be bobbed
= And she was dressed in g yellow crepe
smock, with touches of blue, and blue
socks She looked like the little French
girls seen In fashion photographs.
But with the indifference OF youth.
Berenice returned soon to her toys, and
Alice turned to her mother
How well you look she said, and
In her tone was gratitude and great
satisfaction For the little old lady
did indeed look well. She too was get
ting plump, and it was becoming to her.
And her soft white hair had been grace
fully arranged by Clara.
'fAnd youw Alice turned to give her
chum an affectionate hug. Have you
revolutionized my family?"
''No, I've used them as models lor NV
beautiiying ideas" Clara laughed.
MY land, | forgot dinner. You must.
be starved Mrs Fairbanks jumped up
Let me help" Alice begged, ~ feel
like beginning all over again-Id like
to get dinner today"
Tomorrow-Some Findings.