Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-03-15
ALICE'S LOVE
On


do you like Lois" Alice asked
David n evening. 1t was the first
time since her cousin had come that
the two had been alone. They had
pulled their chairs out under the
d. trees on the little lawn. Mrs. Fair
banks had gone to bed and Mrs. Riley
had asked Lois over for supper.
mo, I DON'T David answered
promptly. II don't want = to hurt
your feelings. for I know you like
her. Maybe I'm unjust to her, but
she's always In my way. 1 never see
you alone"
TITS such a wee house." Alice ex-
planned d~eprecatingly. We're always
falling over each other. There are
only four rooms you know"
well. l shouldn't grumble, L sup
pose" David answered, though his
tone was ~grumbling. I'm a few weeks
we'll be married and then l can carry
you away from all these people"
"In a few weeks" Alice drew a
little sigh. She held out her hand
n David caught hold of 1t. Then
her manne changed.
MY dear. 1 must talk to you
about that" she began in a business
Like voice. 81 don't see how we can
do it in a few weeks. You see, If we
take mother to the farm to live with
us, it leaves Lois without a home.'
"Well. let your mother live on here
and Lois with her. I thought that
was understood" David answered in
surprise.
I'VE did think so-until Lois
came" Alice answered. But, you
see, she's never lone any work and
she doesn't know the first thing about
it."
Teach her" said David shortly.
"She seems sweet enough and oblig-
ing enough. If she hasn't a home
n -i,~-1 -N-4A.A1- - 10 " -A-[
on with your mother and look after
things. It's a small place. the work
can't be much"
Alice smiled in the darkness. 1t
was a small place, but only q woman
could guess the amount of work an
i-nconveniently built house, a garden
and a chicken yard could mean
especially when canning and preserv-
Ing was done, when old clothes were
made and re-made and darned and
mended to iengthen their service,
when every penny made by growing
and canning and selling vegetables
went to furnish the family with little
needed comforts, u what was the
use of trying to explain all this2
There is a bit of work." she said
finally. "And / do want to talk to
Lois about learning to do 1T, and see
whether she wants to stay on with
mother after-after were married.
But you see, I'd never be able to
teach her in a few weeks. Why, she
can't even make coffee!"
Time she learned" David re-
marked briefly.
Alice started to talk about it again
but David stopped her suddenly by
coming over and sitting on h arm
Of her chair. He put his arm around
her shoulders. n leaning down,
kissed her. And Alice, her head
pressed against him, was silent and
happy.
d you love nle?" he whispered.
with all my heart" she answered,
and there was no. shyness in her voice
this time. Her whole soul was be-
hind her words.
DO you know, dear" she said,
I'm glad I'm old enough to appre-
ciate what it means to be in love
as much as this. I'm glad no other
man ever fell in. love with me, and
that never loved anyone else"
She looked up at David. In the
only see his face dimly. He was re-
markably good to look at.
IF were only eighteen she went
on, II couldn't understand how Won
derfut all this is. Ii l had been very
happy in the past, and a had lots
of lovely things, 1 couldn't appreciate
all this"
1t was a vague speech, but David
understood its meaning. He kissed
her gently on the forehead, and sat
for a moment with his face resting
against her hair.
81 hope you'll always be in love
with me. sweetheart" he said. Z
know shall" Alice said; n moves
a little to take David's hand. which
she had beer holding, and press 1t
against her cheek. TITS much nicer
this way, isn't it?s For I've never