Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-27
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
BY Marion Rublncam.
Copyright, George Matthew Adams.
LOIS.
Chapter NVII.

Chapter XvII.
nNo. | can't today" Alice shook her
head regretfully. David in his hired
carriage, had stopped before the little
house to ask Alice to drive out to the
Farm with him.
"Theyre putting in the mushroom
beds" he told her by way of coaxing her.
"You know you said you wanted to learn
how it was done,
'It's mean of you to tell me. Alice
laughed. N.But / can't come TODAY, Lois
arrives this afternoon, and have to meet
her and want an extra nice supper.
"Lois?o David repeated frowning. 'Oh
ves that's YOUR orphan cousin. Is she
going to stay long,
: "Why. | suppose So" Alice replied.
We wrote and asked her TO make her
home with us as long as she wanted to.
: ssThen Ill never see you alone.
sWhv not? If Lois knows we are en-
gagged, don't suppose She ii stay, by my
side all the time" Alice said and smiled
at him, Come in and I'll give you
lovely cool drink of raspberry shrub I've
lust brought some up from the cellar.
Just the same, | don't think I'm going
to like vour COUSIN" David still held his
grievance. "But suppose | can stand 1T,
since we'll be married in month.
THAT isn't long," comforted Alice, her
ewes alight. as they always were when she
looked at David. Come around tonight
and meet Lois. l want to make things
as nice for her as possible, and I'm sure
she'll like you.
She's already deprived me OF you Tor
this afternoon, David grieved. but
IN come and be as nice as i can. But
mind. If don't see you as much as want,
I'll run off with you'll won't wait until
next month.
Alice laughed and raised her face for
his goodbv kiss. She stood on the porch
when he drove away, her eyes following
the carriage as long as she could see 1T.
Even after ii disappeared she stared at the
SPOT where it had been, her eyes. softly
blue and tender and her warm young lips
parted and smiling.
Presently the sound OF her mother stir
ring in the house brought her back TO
realities. So she dropped her vision and
went in. hurrying through the work, and
dressing to meet the 5 o'clock train.
she'll have trunks ! suppose. SO I'll
hire hack of some kind, and Wen come
home in fine style, she called back to her
mother when she started of TO the station.
Mrs Fairbanks was sitting on the
porch when they drove up an hour later:
Lois Kennedy jumped out first, and stood
for an instant staring In surprise at the
tjny house. Then she walked slowly
mn he path. and the steps, and kissed the
little old lady whom she had never seen
before.
Lois Kennedy was quite small for her
age She was 20 years old, and looked
about 23 She possessed a quantity of
waving hair OF the purest gold color, her
ewes were bluer than Alice's and round,
like those of little children. She was quite
pale. and her little pink mouth drooped
at the corners in most appealing fashion.
Alice nodded and smiled TO her mother,
over the newcomers shoulder, and Mrs.
Fairbanks returned Lois kiss with sud-
len rush of tenderness and affection.
"You tell him where to put my things,
won't YOU. Alice dear?" Lois turned, to
her cousin.
This way. I've your room ready if
you want to go UP TO 1t. Alice with her
usual efficiency ordered the carrying in of
Inc two large trunks and the two suit
cases that Lois had brought with her.
Lois dropped into chair on the porch
with a little sigh.
you may not think so, but I'm utterly
exhausted by the trip, she told Mrs.
Fairbanks. cit was as though / were
tearing up al my past llic ~ SofttWaN iFVil
my old home alone. Mother and | always
planned"
She did not finish her sentence, but
leaned back in the rocker with her eyes
closed. Long light brown lashes swept
down on her checks; she might have been
sleepy baby.
How very pretty you are" Mrs
Fairbanks said. You do look like your
mother when she was your age-when she
married. Dear me, it takes me back to
the time | was girl Just to look at you.
I'm sure I'm going TO love you, dear"
''I'm sure hope so, said Lois sweetly
Her voice was high and undeveloped,
like that of child.
well try and make you happy" Mrs. |
Fairbanks ventured gently. "Of course,
nothing could make up to you for the loss
of your mother"
''No, nothing" And Lois leaned back
with her eyes closed. Alice came out on
tho porch for an instant, smoothing back |
her hair, and readjusting her hairpins
Supper will be ready in five minutes" !
she announced cheerfully ''If you're
tired Lois would you like coffee instead of
tear"
"Oh, coof if you don't mind" (" said Lois
YEARLY, without stirring.
Tomorrow-The Real Girl.
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