Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-27
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THKOUOn
By Marion Rubicam.
convr,ahe. Geonre Matthew Adams.
NEW EXPERIENCES.
Clx XNlH

The explanation of the lights WAS
simple. In the centre of the room giri
WAS bending over % large trunk. one
Strengthened up as the door opened, ana
Alice saw her roommate Tor the hrst
time.
'Hellor said the newcomer. 4,
She was tiny little woman, hardy
taller than the wardrobe trunk she was
unpacking She came toward Alice Win
her hand out. :.
'I'n introduce myself. My, name Is
Christine Caldwell. I'm usually caiieo
Tina. You must be Alice Fairbanks.
II am. How did you known Alice
asked.
''Our respected dormitory matron, our
she-dragon of the properties, Christine
said, gave me your name. Shall dis-
turb YOU if go on unpacking!
.Whu no." Alice answered, wondering
why she had even asked. She picked up
one of her books and sat down as though
to read. But her roommate was more
fascinating object to study.
Christine had quantities of red HAIR,
which she had cut short so 1T curled IN
loose waves all over her head. Her eyes
were like those of most red-halred people,
a mixture of sea green and gray: Her skin
was delicately lovely. 1t had waxen
was in great contrast TO the healthy red
and white of Alice's checks. Christine
had small features with tiny tilt TO her
nose, a few faint freckles, and the smallest
hands and feet Alice had ever seen.
Alice was to find later that she dressed
almost entirely in black and green, both oil
which brought out her wonderful colorlng,
and that she wore French heeled slippers
IN an effort to make herself look taller.
She was SO dainty that she seemed almost
fragile. Alice, from her superior height
and with the superior wisdom OF an older
uirl. at once wanted to mother this tiny,
adorable little object.
She had slipped into a sea green kimono,
emb roidered with green and black dragons
and she was rapidly hanging up number
If dresses. She talked almost continually,
having made sure first that Alice did not
want to study.
"You were dear to take the bottom
drawers of the bureau" she said, ''and
leave me the top ones. How did you know
| hated bottom drawers? For all you
knew. | might have been a hideous gar
qovIe that YOU would have to endured
Think what wasted sacrifice on your
partr'
l'Oh. don't mind STOPPING to reach the
bottom bureau drawer, and most people
prefer top ones" Alice said.
1T was a lovely sacrifice on your part,
Christine went on, 81 was positively
touched by il, j was so touched L put all
YOUR things In the top drawers and took
the lower one myself. Then | thought
that people of your sweet sort like beng
self-sacrihcing-so rather than spoil your
pleasure, / would accept 1T. 80 changed
them all around again"
Az, la,,rbaI a littla and Thought over
this remark Christine worked busily
She had several trunks.
''The new maid here said you didn
bring any things to fuss up the room, and
I'm SO glad" she went on, attacking 8
new trunk. 'I've so many things, and
now there will be nothing TO clash. She
started fixing UP" as she called IT, and III
half an hour it was q different room.
cover of Chinese embroidered satin was
thrown over the bureau, cushions trans
formed the chairs, Chinese mandarin
skirt cut In half, was put up as a curtain
at the large window, beautiful rug was
unfolded and put on the floor and Chinese
prints on the walls. The bare room had be
come luxurious boudoir.
'SWe'n shove the beds together in the
corner and tomorrow I'll buy some Gre
tonne and cover them" Christine decided
'T'm so glad YOU didn't bring things. Last
wear my roommate had gingham pillow:
and a Home Sweet Home motto which
she insisted hanging on the wall. Can yot
imagine IL, with this barbaric stuff oi
miner
She had attacked the third trunk by
this time, and was arranging her books OF
the shelf above Alices-shelves had beer
built In on one wall She ended by throw
ing a gorgeously embroidered Mandarin
shirt over this improvised bookcase anc
putting a bronze Buddha and bronze
and jade incense burner on top. Then she
threw herself on her bed with a sigh.
''You like Chinese things" Alice ven
tured, gazing In amazement and admlra
ton at the room
"Yes. they delight my barbaric soul,
Christine responded, raising her white
arms above her head with little iuxur
ious sigh. ''This exotic stuff positIvel,
soothes my temperament. can't bt
happy without proper background.
can't even be happy when / see othe
people without a proper background, o
without proper sorts OF clothes. l neve
wear tailored clothes, for instance-tbe,
don't suit me.
'EWhat suits me?" Alice asked.
'fYou need sunny suburban hous
filed with polished mahogany, and
garden to dig il" Christine said, lookin
her over. Alice started, her roommat
was surprisingly keen. "You can wea
tailored suits and dignihed drapy gowns
You should have a domestic, affectionat
husband, and a couple of chubby adorabl
babies. My dear, I'm crazy to FIX you
hair for you. know exactly how
should go"
"Will you?" Alice cried in delight
"Will you? want to learn these things S
badly"
Tomorrow-Aliee Is Learning.