Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-18
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
By Marion Rubicam.
Cartwright. George Matthew Adams.
SOME BINDINGS.
Cbanter IXNNNl.

Chapter LNNNN1.
,bc, had not thought how she would
,ol, Lawrence. She dreaded seeing him.
She knew what she had to say would hurt
him. and she shrank from that.
Once when Alice was quite young, when
tbe Fairbanks had lived on q small iarm,
way back IN Shc country, she had seen her
fathers hired man slaughter COW. lie
did it by the old-fashloncd method OF
hitting it between the eyes with a large
slcdge hammer, and Alice happened to
he PLAYING In some bushes near the barn
yard and saw the whole performance.
She remembered the dazed, hurt look
in the animals brown eyes. She remember
cd il went to its knees at the second blow,
that the third killed it. Her father had
been poor farmer with few cattle. Alice
knew and loved them all and this was like
seeing n dear friend murdered. She could
not eat meat for years afterwards
This scene came back to her vlvldiy
when she thought of Lawrence. To tell
him she could not marry HIM would bring
that same dazed, hurt look to his eyes,
She knew-and his eyes were so clear and
brown, and had such patient, wlstiui
look in them sometimes!
Rut il had to be done and, she thought
wisely the best thing was to getit through
rs soon rs possible.
Bnt instead of telephoning him, she
wrote him a note He would get 1T the
following morning.
Next dav, about 10 O'Clock, a boy
came to the house. Alice knew HIM as
office boy in Mr.. Marlowe 5 office tie
gave her note.
BE up the first minute ! can get
away. it said, without even preliminary
greeting. Probably early afternoon
So Alice slipped ont of her housedress
right after the midday dinner and into
the pretty black satin Lawrence mother
had given her.
rIac,dlv that Alice was so anxious
- sen lawrence she had to come home
Rut YOU must go back to school, dear
! don't want YOU to miss such chance
to lcsrn-not even 10 have you marry
Lawrence.
Alice said nothing. 4 little spasm Of
main went through her. She had not, as
vet. told why she had come back. And
She had never, in herlctters home, men
toned meeting DAVID.
tt , O'Clock Lawrence handsome
ear drew up. and Alice came out to meet
him. already in her hat and coat. lara
and her mother had obviously left hcl
alone in the living room to greet Lawrence
hut She could not sec him alone. as yet.
- She waited. dressed to 60 out, and left
the house when the ear came IN sight.
BY George, I'm glad to see YOU
he said. his ewes smiling with apprccla-
ton as he looked at her. Want to start
Of right away"
"Yes." Alice answered. getting in.
Il suppose the family is in the liv,
ing ROOM he said regretfully I'D like
to be alone with you, Just long enough {
Kiss YOU once at least
Alice did not answer, but pretended
to fasten her veil. She did not want
to confess that the family had gone
off on the excuse Of a visit and lett hei
alone.
Let's drive some place where We car
talk" she suggested.
Il know the very place. Lawrence
answered.
Once out on the country road, h
slowed down and turned to look At her
Good work. Alice, he commended
her. you have certainly done won
ders''
.How?" Alice turned TO him eagerly
'.Fvervthing," he answered. on
stand better. | noticed it before YOU
got in the car; YOU walk and ST better
its a trick Of the shoulders | think
You never had it before. lou look awfully
citihed
Your mothers coat Alice said.
NO. it's not clothes, though | sup
nose that has a lot 10 do with it. It
the wav YOU wear them. Perhaps I'll
the veil. 4 veil, if it's fixed right, alway1
makes a woman look 80 sophisticated.
Alice laughed a bit, but her laugl
was nervous. 1t was pleasant to be praised
She had wanted 50 All her life, 70 acquir
that beautiful poise, that assured manner
that women Of the world have. And Law
renee was saying now that she had II
4 could. see the Improvement IN ever
letter Lawrence went on. And when
came down Christmas. It's more evlden
now. Oh Lord. Alice IN glad 10 see you.
He took one hand from the drivin
wheel and held hers.
BE careful" Alice begged. There
a turn ahead.
"All right. Lawrence agreed
The car shot ahead and around tn
curve. Alice knew the road. They toppet
hill and began descent. She kne'
where they were going. It was the guam
inn where he had first proposed to hel
And II was In this place she woul
have to break her engagement.
Tomorrow Sad Tea Party.
O-----