Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-15
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
By Marion Rubicam.
rony-1she. George Matthew Adams.
HOME.
Chapter LXXX.V.

When Christine came IN iaee tiiao
Sunday afternoon, she opened her green
vrav eyes with amagement. FOR there
n the middle of the dormitory room was
Alice. pale-faced and working nervously,
whiting her clothes into her trunk.
ssWhat's happened2" Christine de-
manded. -, -,
Alice turned to her. The sight OF the
pretty little figure of her roommate had
curious effect upon her, for suddenly she
sat down in front of her trunk and began
Christine slipped out of the heavy
satin coat she wore and came over tor
llneel on the floor beside Alice. All he
impishness, all her sophistication, lett
her. She was simply one affectlonate giri
irving 10 comfort another. She put her
arms around Alice's shoulders and her
face against Alices hair and began 10
Groom soft little syllables, much as
mother would to a sobbing child.
Vow. tell me all about it" she SAID
when Ali &c had stopped crying. Is
vour mother i'll, or little Berenice.
"No." Alice wiped her eyes as she
answered and pushed back her hair. In
her nervous excitement, it had started
70 come down in long wisps around ner
face. quite as il used 10 do.
no" she said. "It's David. ] mean
it's me. It's l. ] don know what l IN talk
Christine sat down on the edge OF the
bed and waited until Alice was calmer,;;
Never mind grammer,' she said. Tell
me what happened" ;,
Alice repeated some OF her talk with
David that afternoon.
al can't stand il any more, she ended
1--WE tried not to like him, but do
more every time | see him. I've tired TO see
All his faults, as YOU said. lou we're SO
sure if | saw him without any romantic
glamour around him that wouldn't care
Rut Won re- wrong. can look at hin quite
calmly. | know what his faults are as
we'll as his virtues. Only | like him better
for his faults" Her voice ended weakly
and some of the tears came back.
We'll. that's true love, Christine
answered. II wont say any more about
IL ] thought the only way for YOU 70 be
nanny was to stay here and make your
>elf get over this old love affair. But If Il
David. and If YOU really love him hike
that-well | wont try airy longer to
break il up What are YOU going 70 dof
"Go home. Mice answered.
When
Tonight
Christine drew her knees up on The
bed, and clasped her arms around them.
her fnvorite attitude when she was con
Sidering question.
There S train at ii l Il ne home
earlv tomorrow afternoon.
Have YOU any money? Christine
oked I,
Just enough Alice answered She
had almost finished packing; III spite
II her haste she had put things IN the
trunk as neatly and methodicaliy ms
though she had all the time IN the world.
such was the value Of instinct
"Ill miss You awfully, Christine
-no,lrned. I'm sure YOU will come back,
hut III miss you dreadfully.
Alice looked up AT, her from her place
m the floor. In the twilight Of the room,
the girls short red hair shone like polished
,oprer. Her loose straight black satin
lress fell softly around her graceful little
igure On one pretty hand large square
cut emerald shone.
you've meant such a lot 70 me,
Christine" Alice said impulsively.. /
never knew girl like YOU. ] didn' think
there were such people | came here to
learn q lot Of lessons from books, but We
learned from vou the really valuable
things. Manners. and music. and pictures,
and roise and her voice trail ed of
indefinitely.
'.Youll have me weeping sentImentaily
next. Christine cried. Then she jumped
ID from the bed
Come on. we'll 20 ont apd ind s
porter 10 express Your trunk home Got
s.vcrything YOU need tonight in Your hand
hae@ All right. come on along.
Where Alice asked.
Il hate having you got : like deaf Z
IN the family But if you will leave. III
end YOU home in style, Ill take You to
Inner 1t the highest priced hotel N
town-cone along. We'll be merry even
# our hearts are breaking.
Christine was as good IS her word.
She took Alice out 10 dinner, snd by
her clever comments on everything shout
hem, she kept Alice amused until train
irne. Then she loaded her with ma gazIneS-
huge box Of candy and o bunch OF
yiolets. and kissed her goodbye
And when | see David, III say
Don't say anything. Alice begged
Alice read most of the night IN hei
berth. for sleep was impossible, ano
he hoped to distract her mind with the
magazines She was wise enough 10 have
ler breakfast on the train, though II took
almost all the money she had left She
lid not want TO look tired and haggarc
when she got home.
By noon. the local she had changed
%. was pulling In to Harrington.
Alice was home again.
Mondav-Nore Beginning