Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-19
A SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
h Story offs Woman's TransformatSon.
ny MARION RUBINCANi.
THE PUZZLE.
Chapter CX.

Chapter CX.
I drpupcd the subject after Violct's
answer to my question about bud. L
did not want to force her confidence.
ri she wanted to tell me she would,
in good timc-pcrhaps after Francis
had left.
What do you think of our family,
Uncle Francis?'' the girl asked. That s
not n fair question to put, IS 1t! For
Won would have to say something po-
lite"
mo. for after all, you belong to my
family now-as well as to that one,
Francis answered, with that delightfully."-
winning smile of his. ...,
Yes. so | do. | can't get over TT
Violet's eyes were softenlng now, as
she turned to Francis. The pink was
running back to her checks, too was
always amazed at the girls sensitive
ness. Every emotion showed on her lace
decided to keep the talk away from buo
"I think vour family represents the
Great tragedy of neglected opportunity,
Francis said finally. "And your broth
or Jsncs who is really most delight
ful = the victim of the tragedy"
aYes. Poor JaUesi Sometime III get
him away from the farm and start him
doing something he'll like-somethlng
he can make career In, Violet SAID,
assuming suddenly very growup ar'
"He won't come. It's not there, I'm
afraid" Francs said kindly. Il wouid
he2prwe'n both help, violet-h your
hrCther breaks away. But be won I
do Il. He hasn't the initiative Tor that
Ionc step. And he has to have that much;
We can't do it ail-not for boy
wouldn't be good for him.
"No" Violet agreed, regret m her
vo;c.. 'rWe'r1 simply hope that some day
hen srt up the courage to break away
A this moment, Helen knocked and
ru,c in. I was delighted to see her again.
Toby vne with her and for haif an hour
- All sat and gosaped whiie 1 heard
about everything that had happened
while l was away. -
'"1hsres TO be an art stude1S paii III
to vfeks-do you know, End, that
thst,s q few days after you sail on your
vnddine trip7" Helen asked.
was staxtled Less than two weeks
so very aoon For a moment | WAS al
most afraid. So | took refuge In incon-
scoucntal things and pretended great
interest In the students ball.
f'Toby and | are taking VI Helen
raid Her fine. intelligent brown eyes
rreted for a moment on heE nance, ana
aN the coutcntment IN the world tay IN
their depths | WAS glad, for felt that at
+! last Helen WAS happy.
There are some women VINO aso al
vsvs seeking, rcstlessly, thev
know not what They fit from enthus-
lasn TO enthusiasm, and nothing ever
satisfies. Helen was this sort. DlscoateDt- t.
SONY saw. is dIvIne-but so, then, Is
.cont,utrrent. And Helen, IN finding
love, had found not only happiness, but
peAoe. 49,, ~
tlk.
.1Bs,t vi's costume rs blue chiffon over
silver tiSsk. with full Onentsl bloom
exs and yards of huge pearls around heI
nerk and hanging in strands from her
h.fr sfs, was saving. 'fVi, better come
and rsut IL on. then YOU can come up and
sbo.r Yourself off. Come on, Toby, you ve
got 10 go home now.
And Helen thus tactfully earned of
both vi and her guest, and left iran
n. and me facing eachother with an un'
derssanding smile In our eyes.
'TNhey always manage TO leave 81
engaged couple alone for q few min
u,Ss." he said, as / came towards h1In
And then, after a few moments, h'
kissed me again.
.Its after 10. and you are tired iron
vour long ride." he said. $50 II wal
only for a glimpse OF our Vi in her gor
reo,rs costume. and 90 home. Tomorrow
YOU are TO dine with Mother and me a
the house. III come for you on my way
from the Office.
He left soon after vi came IN agar
vi transformed into slim httle prln
cess out of a fairy tale by her fantas
tic costume Her slender httle hgur'
was tightly fitted by the silver tissue
which ended IN full Turkish bioomer
around her ankles, and over tins wa
draDed the cloudy blue chiffon. Arm
and neck were bare, except for the rop
of wax pearls which wound around he
throat. with one strand caught up ant
PINNED INTO her hair. Her golden han
vas piled high on her head. She ma
touched the centre OF her lips with scar
let. and beaded her lashes black, I
oarrv out the fantastic effect.
Nv little country girl had vanIshe
completely, Before me stood one c
the most beautiful young women / ha
ever seen, self-possessed, sure OF ne
loveliness and its captivating effect o
Others, certain OF every word, ever
gesture She had q little lift 10 her shou
aers as she turned around, q little arc
to her eyebrows
"Vi, ! said suddenly, you are groy
up
Yes, Auntie dear, and It's awful
nice" she answered.
What did IT mean2 She had grow
ID bv swift degrees under my eyes
she was fully her own mistress now Wit
her beauty, with this new poise, wit
this sudden assurance of manner,
could be a great social figure.
Was 1t that, ! wondered, that mad
ber send Bud away? Did she think nO
that she was too good for him, too hig
for him 10 reach?
Tomorrow Excited Plans