Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-19
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THHOUGH
BY Marion Rublneam.
Copyright. George Matthew Adams
A LETTER.

Chapter X.
II seemed to Alice next day that tho
whole world WAS glorifcd. simply because
she and David were In love with caen
other.
If she had gone about her work before
clothed in n vision that consisted mostly
of moonlight and David and the scent OK
rpeea' she was now even more securely
wrappcd in her dream. She and David
we're engaged. That was the one big Tact
of life. At this special moment she did not
want To think of anything else
Shc Alto breakfast in an absent minded
way. looking happily out of tho window.
T,hc rain had stopped during the night
and the sun was drying up the wet. The
air was blowing with the heavy fragrance
that comes only after summer shower,
when the dripping plants. seem to give
forth more than their usual perfume.
OF course, Alice was going to tell her
mother. She wanted to talk about it,
but she wanted to save up the wonderful
news little bit longer too. 1t was all the
more wonderful, she felt, when only she
and David knew about 1T.
But she did not have to tell her mother.
For that little lady already knew, in the
curious instructive way which makes
mothers know things that no one has told
them, or that no one else knows.
''Did he tell you last night2 she asked
quietly and little humorously too, when
Alice was pouring her second cup of coffee.
''Why-how did you know" Alice
asked. She sat down the coffee pot to
look in amazement at her mother. "Did
YOU hear us?' she asked finally
Mrs. Fairbanks laughed.
''No, but don't you think / can scc7
It's in your face as plainly as though it
were written in An open book. Come here
dear, and let me kiss you. I'm very happy
about it.
'.Are you?" asked Alice when she
returned to her place" | never knew
l could be SO happy.
She had sudden impulsive feeling
that she wanted to tell her mother all
about it, and she did tell her much of
what David had said.
''He is so wonderful, Mother" shc
repeated for about the eighth time.
''He's--just everything | like IN n man.
He's good looking, and gentle, and well
educated. He has much nicer manners
than most of the boys about here, though
I'm not criticising them. / never was 10
love before" she went on. 81 was thinking
that was doomed TO bc an old maid
you see Fin 25."
That's so aged" said Mrs. Fairbanks
smilingly.
But its much nicer to wait and fall in
love like this, than to be in love when you
are too young to appreciate 1T, announced
Alice. "And we are going To be so happy,
I don't know where we're to live, forgot
to talk about that--thcre were so many
other things to talk about, you know"
she added, the pink flooding her cheeks
again. But you are to live with us, and
sc fn hx, hca,tf,fY1 -
Perhaps I'll be so well wont have TO.
You two should begin life together,
alone" Mrs. Fairbanks said. II might,
at first, & to sister 's-when she gets
''Oh,' said Alice in sudden rush Of
apology. IL forgot, there's letter for
YOU from her-at least it's postmarked
New York" She went In the next room
and brought It, all apologies TO having
forgotten in her own happiness.
Mrs. Fairbanks opened the letter.
And little by little the pretty faint pink
,olor which usually showed in her cheeks,
lied out to white. Alice noting this with
alarm, went over to her and sat on The
arm of her chair, reading the letter over
,er shoulder.
cts not from sister, it's from her |
laughter" Mrs. Fairbanks said family. |
ne fctter WAS nrief enough
"Dear Auntie, it read, Mother died
,u Tuesday after a relapse, We thought |
she was getting better, but she had turn |
Tor the worse and died about 3 In the
The funeral will be Saturday,
though of course | realize neither YOU
nor Alice can come all this distance. I'll |
write you afterwards and give YOU more |
details
Yours sincerely.
Louis Kennedy"
"What curious letter" said Alice |
But of course she must be so upset. poor |
.hiid that she could not be expected to /
rrite anything more--well more human /
han this"
Lois-what a pretty name unused |
Mrs Fairbanks. 81 never was sure whether
{ was that or Louise Well" she leaned
'ack in her chair looking over the sunny
ards and the flowers outside.
"I'm awfulIv sorry" Alice said. kissing
or mother. ''Of course, it isn't as hard for
on as though you had seen your sister
,t. You haven't for 20 years. have you?''
"No" Mrs. Fairbanks answered. still
taring out into the sunlight. ssBut IT
makes me feel so old. somehow"
Tomorrow-Pleasant Plans.