Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-07
a SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
The Story Of 4, Woman's Transformation.
~ MARION. RuBINCAM.
rrp,,ct,u uy George Matthew Adams.
WHEN BUD CAME.


We were destined not to go on very
much longer in our quiet and unevent-
ml way of living. But for a while there
vas pcaoc-the peace that goes before
The storm. :,
II don't understand why Bud doesn I
come SO much" Vi confided one evening.
IL was getting quite chilly out of doors
now, and our little living room with It's
low shaded lamp, looked very warm ana
cozy.
There was one thought, of course,
that was always in her mind. IL was
that Bud might tire of her, or that he
might find someone else more attrac-
tive. But she rarely spoke of this
Tonight Toby Markham came IN
and later Helen ioIned us. The tour
If us sat about the little antique tabie
in the living room, playing orioge-i
was learning this too. as well as uahc-
irg. And the science OF tins highiy COM
phcated game interested me ihteliseiS; ny;
We were busily playing when the Dell
rang and Bud came in. =,
I'm awfully late. it's 10 O'Clock,
he apologizcd But l saw lights In the
window, and risked IT.
He gave Toby not particularly frlend-
In glance. AS we went on with our game.
Whcn II was over, Toby and VI won the
r,hhcr' and Toby put his hand over the
,ahlc 10 shake hands at their victory. lie
held Wis hand an instant too long grln-
ming his impish, d dehghtfui little grIn at
hcr. Toby was one of the mernest soul
m that part of the city. -.
Helen glanced from this little taoleau
20 Bud with the most amused express
SION. Then she looked at me TO see whether
| also had noticed il. Bud certainly looked
gloomy enough; he looked, as matter
of fact, tired 20 death, and the sight oi
Toby holding Wis hand, even for a second
brought a scowl 20 his face -.
shall we make some hot coffee ne
asked. I'm all in"
VI rose at once always glad when
she could do something To please buo'
Rut Helen bad other plans.
Il was Just going to suggest IT, sne
announced Il brought over some coid
chicken from the restaurant, ITS all cut
M, Wen have some chicken salad. axe
Tobv alone-hc makes such nice dressing
for salads
- she mannuvered II so that looy
and VI were alone in the kitchen. Bud.
sull displeased, lay down on the couch
and made no pretence of talking with us
He fingered after the Others lett, ana
excused myself and went into the bed
their talk came TO me even so, Tor the
titv was quiet and there WAS no souhu
In our house. a., =
,re yon crazy over that chap? |
heard him ask
III fcr once had little reserve
Whv?" was all she asked.
He's crazy about YOU. don't won
DIR there's halt a dozen of them around
bcre would he in love with YOU # you
didn't hold them ten miles of.
I'm glad YOU do. he went on little
later Otherwise might have no chance
- an Lord knows I'm not much, but at
least I'm as good as they are
What do you mean VI asked
Il mean-oh, I'm crazy tonight. |
guess I'm plain Jealous Of that MARX
ham chap. But he wouldn oe much
better than l. He's sober and pioddihg
and All that sort Of thing
Bud" vi cried, and laughed a Mt
,le What are YOU talking about? What
has poor Toby's plodding qualities to do
with anything"
Well they say that sort makes good
husbands" Bud said, hesltating, little
But | don't want Vi began.
vi I'm crazy about you'' 1t came
cut suddenly. like that, IN the middle
IN ber sentence. And though we all knew
B,d was in love with her, and though she
Lnew II too. IN spite Of frequent doubts
whom Bud did not come for days ~ time
still when he said it, il left her httle
breathleSs.
Bud. dear. she began, her voice so
low | could scarcely hear 1t.
There Was all the pleading IN the
world IN his tores-aH the weakness
and al the strength OF man.
u IN. yata j
NAV denv every other sort OF love IN =
man. but she cannot resist that need
Vol, " Ii appeals 10 her not only as a
woman but as "A mother, and IN every
woman the maternal instinct Is strong.
VI. did not want TO resist.
Bud dear" ] heard her say again,
her voice little tremulOus.
And then there was little silence,
tho sound Of a chair beirg moved, and
sllcrcc again. But It was quiet that
fairly vibTated.
tried not TO hear what they said
hut in our tiny apartment II was al
most impossible not TO. | was IN bed
bv this time. and / turned 10 the wall
and pulled the covers over my ears
But even so ] heard the girls low,
trembling little laugh. And the mlT-
mur Of the boys voice and occasionally
word OF endearment.
Are you going 10 merry me- he
asked once.
DO YOU think l could ever marry
anyone else?' Vi answered gently.
so IT was settled, definitely! | felt
suddenly, as though a great calamity
As well as a great Joy, had taken place.
/ knew well enough that Vi would never
marry anyone else. She had been IN love
with Bud Pearsoll for several years, from
their carly high school davs and there
would never have been another man for
her. She was that type.
And she was now promised TO him.
But would he make her happy? Was
1t wise thing after all?
| was TO find that out later.
Collar