Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-04-28
THE KINDNESS OF LAWRENCE
CHAPTER IS

1@h AHAN 10
Alice knew afterwards that Il was
the stunning dress hat carried her
through the reception, OF course,
I~awrence's tact and kindness was
about her like a protecting cloak all
evening. He was always there to
save her In any little social emer-
gency, to help her out when she
might feel helpless-but It was the
feeling that she looked so well and
was dressed as well as any woman
present That made Alice carry her
self ser Y through what would
otherwise lave been a social ordeal.
only a woman can know the So
cial value of a new frockl Alice had
never before realized how closely
clothes and society are i~ntertwined.
Some of these people she had met
before In the work at the settlement
house and, without knowing it, she
a picked up there O few of the
little mannerisms hat distinguished
this particular social set. She brought
ail her intelligence to this new prob
lem. She listened to Mrs. Marlowe
and initiated her when she was In
doubt. Mrs. Marlowe received and
introduced Alice, who stood next to
her, and If there was anything par
rot-like in Alice's greeting of each
guest who came in. it was certainly
not noticed.
Lawrence stood next to her. and
Mr.. Marlowe, whom Alice liked at
once, escorted the arrivals to Mrs.
Fairbanks. That little lady wore her
best black taffeta, a dress some hf-
teen years old, n made as all old
lady's dresses seem to be made. h
had a chair of honor by the fireplace,
and a lapful of pink roses concealed
any shabblness in her attire.
So, on the whole. the reception
passed off very we'll. Alice thought
about 1t in a pleasantly dreamy
fashion next day when, back in her
worn calico housedress, she bathed
Berenice and tucked her in for her
mornings nap. And when she set
tied herself to study, h thought
more of the party than of her work.
1t was her first real affair" and she
felt towards it as any normal young
girl would-only Alice had waited
twenty-six years for this event, n
most girls but seventeen or eighteen.
Lawrence came around in the af-
%ternoon. with q brilliant yellow ball
for the baby. He took off his over
coat and sat down on the couch,
pushing aside Alice's books to make
room for himself.
"Was / very awkward at my nrSt
attempt?" Alice asked shyly, yet
anxious to know what sort of i'm
preston she had made
NO, you were very good Law
renee said truthfully. Il could see
O lack OF ease a I know you
so we'll; but no one else could. You
take to frivolity very We'll"
Alice smiled at him. She had
seated herself on n of the little
hassocks In the room, n from this
low place she had to look up at
Lawrence. Ordinarily her eyes were
level with his-she was about his
height.
Il was doubly in love with you last
night" he went on. Every time L
see YOU you give me something new
to admire about you, and to love.
Sometimes It's your energy and your
self-sacrihce, sometimes It's your
cheerfulness. Last night you were a
lovely young debutante, so l had an,
other side of your character to fall
In love with"
Alice put out her hand, and Law
renee took II. And for a while they
aid nothing.
The girl looked UP at him. Law,
rence's eyes were tender and wistfui
as he returned her look. She oul
Tell easily enough that he loved her
brown eyes can be even more ex-
pressiVe of affection than blue ones
But he did not tell her again.
Lawrence" she said gently after
/ time.
"Yes?" he asked.
You said the night ] promised 10
tell YOU whether / would marry you
b. not-you said then thai ! would