Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-14
a SWEETHEART AT THlKlI
The Story ola Woman's frsns'orms"""'
BY MARION RUBINCAM.
A DISCUSSION.
Cbspter CNI.

"about Violet and Budr' Jim echoed.
INSTANTLY his genial manner Vanlsheu.
Jim was on his glard-it was the beginning
of a mood | dreaded. :.
about Violet first" Francis SAID,
sensing the change in Jim and tactiu'iy
irving to keep him in his FIRST soiteheu
mood. .. IT,,
questioned, turning So ne laced the o'nei
man.
.'Yes. Enid has already told you We
wanted to, and she SAYS that you ihiu
practically consented.
Enid said she wanted to.
1T amounts to the same thing, What
Ends wants. | want also, | adored Fran
els for that speech.
lot nv work fall in my lap and watch
cd the two mcn-my brother ana my
6ancc They were both over the table from
me- | sat so could see each profile. hat
: difference they showed!
Each one was strong jim gave
a sense Of physical strength trancls
of intellectual strength. Jim ; foreheao
WAS low and his stiff hair stood up from
II, short and straight like brush. Ills
ewes were little. his eyebrows were too
blIshy and wild. His gradually sourihg
attitude on life was drawing sneeTing
born. and his face thrust itself forward
from a short, thick neck.
With Francis the forehead was high
and the hair. brushed back, threw INTO
greater relief his aquilire, well-shaped
nose His mouth lost none of its tlrin-
u-ss because of the little expression ot
sweetness nj the cOrners--an express
sion not always present, however ana
h.. held his head after the manner OF
men who have their way IN life. 1t was
brute cstrcngthhgainst intellectual strength.
Il cant do anything but consent to
Your adopting Violet. jun said finally.
That is, if she's willing, and II Esther
is | haven't talked it over with Esther
vet
II have, in the car coming up. She
n willng-she thinks It would be the
best thing after all, for the girl.
Il always hoped she'd come back
and settle down here with us, Jim Sald,
a little wistfully.
.You have YOUR other daughter
YES, she's around a LOT, every few
DAYS But Ni-well, ] guess father
hasn't anv night to have favorites IN
his children. but somehow Vi got around
me when the Others couldn't. | mean,
sir. he faced Francis more squarely,
"Im fond of all my children, but YOU want
to take the one | love best.
\ sentimental speech for Jim! liked
him the better for it.
Il realize that. Francis answered
gently. But, after all, YOU must see
that lie in a place like this his man
ner indicated the whole countryside
..is not the life that wo,id make her
bannv We want TO do lot Of things
for her-collegp and travel, the things
that Will broaden her outlook on life.
that will make her better and happier
Il know, | know, Jim sad little
upaulv. II can't do that for her. and
Won II think me a miser because ! wouldn t
snare the money for n year or 50 OF college,
IN, let my sister take what little she had
and do il | have no right 70 say no To
All the things YOU offer-so II goes, and
there's my hand on It.
Francis hand went out instantly, and
the two men settled the discussion. The
Necessary details Of 8 formal adoption
were arranged then and there,
md now, one thing more fran-
c,s began after this was over. Il have
= Young tovnsman Of yours IN my en-
plov. q chap named George Pearsoil-.
jim stifftned again. ] wondered how
Francis was going 10 get around tins
problem.
mere n a very lt@Ai hteSaNAAAACA-1 ~
tween the two. They were even engaged
for time
Without me knowing it, Jim was
genuinely angry now, the soft mood had
passed
They re such children" Francis put
n gently. And children Ike secrets.
I'm sure they would have told YOU in
tlme-when they We're ready 10 marry.
Unfortunately. IT was broken of
Randy he sketched the affair that
involved Bud Without telling an un-
ruth he managed somehow 10 make
Bud the hero. and 70 excuse most of
~. real faults that involved hIn in
,ha7 trouble AT the end jim had soft
,ned towards Bud TOO.
But he'll never amount To anything.
his familv's no good, he put IN feebiy.
III answer for HIM. He ls IN my Office
under my supervision And YOU only make
them more determined when YOU oppose
the match
Guess ] can't oppose anything. if ]
give up my girl to you, jim finished it
They are not engaged now, Fran
els answered. Il only wanted YOUR con-
sent. in case they become so-again."
The three Of US rose, Jim, with short
good night. went upstairs to bed, and
Francis came over TO kiss me good night
On the mantel, the clock struck eleven
times
Tomorrow-We Go Back