Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-23
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
ny Maien Ruhinesm.
Oopyriehs, Georrc M ssshsw Adams.
HAPPINESS AND DOUBT.


HAPPINESS AND DOUBT.
SYNOPSIS or PRECEDING CHAPTERS.
Alice Fairbanks is called ''Thc Happy
Lady, by tho children Of the little town
of Pennington because Of her bright smilo
and sunny disposition. She seems always
70 rise superior to circumstanccs--hcr
fathers death, her mothers invasld'sm, |,
the struggle to make An Insufficient IN
como keep them comfortably. And when
she meets and falls in love w1tn Dav'd
Thorne and becomes engaged to MN, her
cup of happiness seems 10 oso5uoW.
David has been attracted by Alice .
happy easv-going disposition. Only once
hcr comfortable care!essness in the mat
ter of her appearance-called forth \
gentle rcbuke.
CHAPTER XIII.
The news of Alice's engagement TO
David spread rapidly. As matter Of
fact, she had tod no one directly, but
she and David were seen together several
times and rumor soon connected tho
names of .'the Fairbanks girl and that
new Young man" The smallest oi all
worlds is a small town.
II really believe they knew IL before
0lU, iyaNtu FfltllIh0Nl WIFI u RTtu fS
he pcrched himself on the rail Of the porch
one warm evening. 1--WE had four people.
most of them total strangers, congratulate
me on my engagement today"
"Yes, Mrs Myer ard Mrs. DR.. James
dropped in this afternoon, Alice answered.
"Mrs. DIR. James had heard Of il in her
peighborhood, and she lives way down
In the center of the town."
"'The more that know ii the better.
Pm proud to have il known that I'm
going to marry tho prettiest girl in Far
mington."
"Goose," rebuked Alice, and blu.hed
with pleasure at hls compliment.
"Do YOU think" whispered David
with mock seriousness. "Do you think
anyone would see me if came over there
and kissed you?"
al don't know" Alice answered laugh
ing The climbing roses do make thick
screen"
But almost before she had finished,
Dayld's arms were around her and his
lips were against hers. And she gave a
little sigh of pure content and happiness.
For it was so wonderful to be in Lowell
Tomorrow III tell my little friends
over IN the foreign section, said she.
DO sou remember The day you drove me
to Dagptown2'
And we drove TO the Farm added
David. That reminds me you must 20
out there with me tomorrow. The old
farmhouse is being done over and I'm TO
pick out our quarters"
What do you meanr Alioe wanted
10 know.
''Where vc're to live, goosie," David
laughed, reaching over and taking one
of her bands "You see, the downstairs
part Of the old house will have big hall,
a sort Of common living room, with the
old farmhouse fireplace left intact, and the
dining room and kitchen changed enough
to be convenient. Upstairs is TO be divided
into two apartments of living room,
bedroom and bath. l WAS n have one,
and Rolfe, who works with me out there
another, and extra bedrooms on the floor
above are for our assistants
"Yes9" Alice encouraged.
"Well, of course, it viii Be you and
| in one OF the apartments instead Of
Just me alone, that's all"
"You mean I'm - move out theser
uueried Alice.
'eWell, hope you dcnt intend 10 live
here after we're married and let me 60
out there'' David laughed At her. 'eThere'll
be an extra room for your mother. and
there will be housekeeper 10 get our
meals and keep things straight"
But l could do that, protested Ahce,
appalled, at the idea Of such luxury.
"Why should your The state provides
this for the men who live on the Model
Farm. After time, there VIII he s parste
houses built, and well have whole one
{ ourselves, sweetheart But things are
all experimental n yet"
''But what would l do with myself
Il / had no work." Alice looked comicsIly
lost at the prosIect.
''There'll be enough b do" David
assure her. "We'll have . bunch Of
students too from ime to time. ] expect
they'll all fall in love with you, my dear.
If YOU have lot of time, why dom { you
study up some of this scientific farming2"
'TBut that's j st what I've always
wanted to do" Alice cried eagerly. I've
wanted to go TO an agricultural college,
and find out ow things are done in modern
fashion. Do you think ] could study
She was suddenly shy DOW.
''Tell you Whist, said David. "TH
bring YOU up some Of my old college books
and you can run over the n when YOU have
time. But, ok here when arc you going
to marry me-"
''Oh, II don't know" Alice was all
olushes and indecision again, and David
did the night he first told her he loved
her.
Next Week. he demanded suddenly.
Next week. cried Alice. Heavens,
j could 7. suppose I'll have to rent this
hous to someone-and tn s my
garden-an4 III have to buy a trousseau,
most girls, do you know"
Il take UP my quarters at the Farm |
IN August" said David. "You must come |
with me then. If we are married in July, |
we can have little trip first somewhere"
After he had gone, Alice sat long |
time looking out into the perfume laden /
June night. A trip and David: her longed |
for chance to study-and David. A new /
home with David. II was SO wonderful |
she could not believe it was to come true.
Tomorrow-Letters-
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
u. Il 10 &C.