Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-03
A SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
The Story Of a Woman's Transfer nation.
BY MARION RUBINCAM.
LAURA.
Chapter XLIV.
Protected by George Matthe'

LAURA.
Chapter XLIV.
Halt dozen people got off the train,
and there was the usual little crowd
of friends and relatives that always
make country homecoming such an
exciting occasion.
Violet and l, each with suitcase
and a bundle, started towards the car
riagc across the platform. James stared
at us full minute without recognition.
james, Violet cried in alarm.
why, goo-good Lord, Vi, / didn I
know youl didn't know my own sister,
he cried, jumping out of the carriage. at
once And Aunt Enid Why-why, what
nave YOU done to yourseives
Suddenly the full force of the change
we had been through came to me. We
were diffcrent-.so different James really
didn't know us. We were so used TO nice
clothes by this time that we had forgotten
the difference between our appearance
and that of the other people on the little
local, and especially between ourselves
as we went away and as we came back
How do we look?' | asked, kissing
James affectionately.
He hugged us both III his arms, his
face growing slowly happier and hap
pier as he looked first at me, and then
his pretty sister.
Then humorous geam came into
his eyes. -.
"Oh. gee, he exclaimed ioyfully "wait
till mother sees you''
Laughing and talking, We piled into
the carriage and started up the miles
of road between the railway station and
the little town of Henly Falls.
found Violet watching her brother
Il 4 nfA And
looked Mt him with more attention than
would ordinarily. James was differ
ent At 20 he looked 25 and his shout
ders were bent over as those OF man
of middle age might be. His eyes were
as fine ms overall the boys good quail
tits were 10 he seen in these splendldly
intelligent. rather dreamy eyes. His hair,
pushed back from his head, showed the
intellect Of the forehead. But the lower
part Of his face was heavier than ever.
Yes. there he as-all possibilities and
impossibiltics. James life would always
bc fight between the upper and lower
parts of his face In that he was like great
many men-heredity was at war within
him. Given congenial surroundings,
James would have been fairly great
man. Given discouraging surroundings,
he was sinking down and down lnto-noth-
ing.
What has been happening | asked
casually.
'tOh. father fred the best hired man
last week because he wanted a raise,
James said. Mother and Laura are
always fighting about something or
other. Guess Mother just likes to have
someone around TO pick on, and there
hasn't been anyone since YOU left but
Laura,
Yes. tell me about Laura Vi said
eagerly "She hasn't written a limo to
either Of VS. since we left, and Mothers
letters didn't always give much news.
ooh. nothing much TO tell. James
said casually laura got Charlie Dwyer
and they're going to be married this sum
mer. after the first rush of work is over
and before harvesting begins.
"Is she very happy Vi asked, little
wistfully.
II Dunno" James answered, slappine
the rpins on the horses back 10 hurry
him into jogging trot. I'D go faster,
he apologized, only I've had him in
the hay rake nearly l6 hours yester-
day, and pretty hard at il all week"
II want 20 drive slowly. and talk"
Vi said. Tell me more about Laura
and Charlie
"Oh. there's nothin' TO tell, James
repeated again Mother said there was
no living with her before, she was SO
cranky That's when she wasn't sure
of him-Charlie was running over to
see Clemmie Burke, and Laura was
scared for fear she'd lose him
Poor Laura" Niolet's voice WAS full
Of pltv. Its dreadful to be in love with
some one and know there's another
rirl Her eyes were all tenderness for
her sister.
She's not in love with him" scotfed
James ''She wanted him before because
oh well. she liked him better than the
other fellows and he paid the most at
tention to her. And then when she found
he was gUng to see Clemmie, she made up
her mind Clemmie wasn't going to get
him away from her. Gosh she was always
IN the front of the housel He couldn't
60 bv on his way TO Burkes without her
seeing him and calling him in. Maybe
that's love- James had keen insight at
times. often felt he knew very well what
was going on in all our minds, and that
very little escaped those quiet eyes.
butt seens curious-they are go
ing to be married" Vi began, little
puzzled by the unromantlc motives at
tributed 10 her sister.
Yes sometime SOON
And don't YOU think they'll be hap
py2"
"Oh, ] suppose, as happy as anyone
ever is. Laura has been more good-natured
sincc Charlie spoke. She had what she
wanted, 80 she Gained down bit. Gee,
she used to take our heads off sometimes,
she'd get so mad. Poor Charlie!" James
grinned broadly to himself.
Violet was plainly uDconvinced. She
could not believe there was no romance
IN this affair of Lauras.
Tomorrow-The Sensation.