Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-24
A SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
The Story ofs Wcmau's Transformation.
BY MARION RUBINCAM.
FRANCIS HELPS.
Chaptcr 1,XNXIx


Chapter LXXXIx.
The pity l felt for Esther when
first met her at the station only increased
rs the days went by. She had let go.
And letting go is the most pitlful thing
that could happen to any man or woman.
There must he a striving for something
~ long as that exists. there is some hope.
hut As soon rs one gives up-lets go-then
life is hopeless. For i am firmly convinced
that our fate is in our own hands. No one
can work out our destiny for us--no one
wants TO.
Ii came out in all sorts of unexpected
ways.
Driving from the station in the taxi.
We passed through the theatre and the
shopping centre, every window and ever
sign brilliantly lit on this late winter after
noon. The shop windows held gowns of
every lovely color set like gems IN a glow
of golden light. Motors Sud quietly by us,
hundreds at time, and people crowdlng
home from work swarmed over every
inch of pavement. The dancing, nashing,
moving signs above Broadway made q
MIDDAY of artificial brilliancy.
Look here" | told her, pointing to
some particularly bright sign.
"JTh huh." she answered. glancing
fr,m the taxi window. "Takes a lot of
lights 10 do that. doesn't it2 Did | write
that Anne Lee has a baby2 We never
Thought
Look heron the left, Esther" |
insisted That shop with the dress
made of silver spangles."
"Nv land. do they wear such things?
looks like circus, was all the enthusiasm
| rot. by the way, Laura's gettin' new
dress. blue mcssaline. Charlie bought
some in
And so IL went Esther's whole in
terest WAS IN pouring out at once the
local gossip-the petty details that
never cared about, but that made up
the sum of out existence in Henly Falls.
"In show you the city, or some OF
il, after Christmas | said.
"Uh huh." she agreed inditferently
''Such lot of people. They make me
dizzy" j,
Don't YOU love the crowds-and the
bfe-and excitement-an the noise and
hurry
Good lord, Enid" Esther said. .'Doo
YOU expect me 10 carry on like school
kid2 | dunno's | like so many people
about. Does that thing mean we have
10 pay that much money!"
She looked at the taxi meter, which
had passed the dollar mark. | nodded
and explained the taxi meter system
and ouioted her when she objected TO
the cost. -,
The cars are too crowded at this
hour 10 carry many packages on them.
We never use cabs-but this is an occs-
sion.'
That mollifcd and pleased her and
when we reached out tiny apartment,
she showed more interest IN things.
Awful small, was her first comment,
after she had kissed Violet.
That's one thing we like, Mother,
thc girl said quickly. I'm working,
Mother, but | managed to get home
early tonight 10 start dinner"
ON the whole, we had a pleasant eve
ning. Violet was home before SIX, so
| Judged that she had come directly
and had not stopped of for tea with
Bud this evening
Esther. sitting in state in the living
room armchair, her feet resting IN
rcd carpet slippers, ran out her roll OF
rossip- everything that happened IN
nenlv Falls since the day we left.
How is james," Vi asked, busy ar |
ranging the table.
James oh, sames ever. Poor James, 1
g7lcss he'll never be anything. Don't
sccm 20 take 20 interest IN things, hates /
farm work and DIES as little as he can.
Docs he still like machinery?
There was a little note IN Niolets |
voice that Esther did not hear.
Il spose. ] dunno" she answered |
placidly. Hasn't touched any or tired /
what he calls experiments any more
not since the row last summer. guess |
your father cured him good, as he sald
Il imagine he did, vi answered. her |
blue ewes angry as she spoke. But Esther
was leanine back comfortably. and never |
knew the criticism of herself and Jim that
the girls voice and eyes betrayed.
Helen came running up for a moment
70 greet Esther. and whispered some
thing 70 Violet The girl slipped out
az the room. knew il must be tele-
phone call. and since so much secrecy
was made Of II, | knew, too, that IT must
be from Bud.
Esther of course, must know OF this
affair between Violet and Bud. thought
perhaps when she was with us few
davs. when she had time to change her
point OF view a little, that / would tell
her AZ least, would tell her that Violet
was still IN love and that ! thought even |
tually they would marry.
But first we must make sure that Bud
was out Of ms present difficulty. Neither
Esther nor Jim would ever forgive even
the suggestion of dishonesty.
Violet came In, her eyes troubled, her |
mouth with that little trembling express |
sion at the corners that made her so ap- !
pealing 20 look at She followed me back |
to the kitchen 20 whisper 10 me.
They've gotten some new evidence, |
and there's an investigation on tonight |
and the day after tomorrow, and Bud |
had 20 be at court then. Bud says if only |
Mr. Meade were baclin town. he wouldn't |
mind But he had letter from him, say
lng he would be back in time TO help"
Tomorrow-Joy and Anxiety.