Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-08
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
By Marion KNb,neam.
Copyrigns, 0oores =. atthsw Adams.
DOUBT.

SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING cHArTERs.
Alice Fairbanks In called ''The Happy
Lady" by the children Of her town, be-
cause Of her bright smile and sunny nature.
Her optimistic qualities have mnde her
rise superior to such saddening circum-
stances ns her fathers death, hor mothers
invalidism, and the hard work necessary
to stretch tiny income When she meets,
falls in love with and becomes engaged TO
David Thorn, her cup Of happiness seems
overhowing.
An aunt dies, leaving daughter,
Lois, pcnniless. Alice generously gives up
her trousseau money TO send 1t to LOIS Tor
fare, and the Fairbanks take her in TO live
with them. Lois is exceedingly pretty and
very feminine, and gradually absorbs
David's interest.
Chapter XXV.
Mrs. Fairbanks, sensitive To superla-
tive degree, as are most invalids, spent the
next few days in bed, Alice, thinking her
mother needed To be quiet and away from
everyone, moved her upstairs to her room
and herself slept in the little living room.
This little downstairs room wns ordinarily
Mrs Fairbanks favorite spot. Such life
as they had passed through IL, and here
she was in touch with household Affairs
and convenient for nciphbor'e visits. But
this sudden change in condition made IT
desirable to keep her away from every
thing.
Alice was alone the next afternoon.
Lois had announced suddenly that shc
was going for walk.
al haven't explored the town yet, you
know, she explained.
And Alice, guessing she was going TO
meet David, secretly, said nothing. She
4 4 thew hflf
the air of intimacy and secrecy which shc
had seen the evening before, made her
sure that there was some sort OF appoint
ment.
OF course che might be wrong
David had said the night before thnt he
was to drive out TO the farm that after
noon. and mentioned the work he was tn
supervise. So, il that were true--and she
turned hot at the very thought Of doubt
iup a word David said. But If that were
true, then Lois had gone too. Lois had
dressed with particular care that day
another fact that added 10 the feeling Of
conviction that was taking possession OF
Alice
There was ligh, step on the porch, and
looking up, Alice saw Clara ccming in.
She was profoundly grateful for the inter
ruption.
''How's your mother" Clara asked.
"I heard she was i'll again and came To
find out. brought along some sewing
She unrolled bureau scarf ehe was
making and settled herself TO talk.
They chatted Of various things for an
hour; then, girl-likc, drifted into talk OF
boys and love affairs,
''Were Won ever iealoia'" Alice asked.
"Yes. often. Remember Eddie Howp2
Y 4 l. 4 her, Eus
little Iipton girl came along and took him
away from me. | was most awfuly ieal-
ous.' Clara confessed frankly.
Its the worst feeling IN the world,
isn't it7" sympa,hized Alice.
"It is. and IL 9 such an unworthy feeling.
and such hopeless one Clara phileso~
phizcd Then pursuing the limo of thought
that Alice had suggested, sho asked pres
emily.
what made YOU say that7 You've
never been jealous You never even
looked az q man until YOU met David
And you'rs engaged TO him, DO you
mean 10 tell mo you are iealous?"
Alice said nothing could sav nothing,
in fact. After all, what had she TO be
jealous Of? David was off at farm. his
duties lay there, Lois might really have
gone for waIk--and even il she had gone
with David. that signihed noth,ugl
Are You jealous of Lois Kennedy"
Clara demanded suddenly Tell fpe.
Alice dear You know Id do anything IA
the world for YOU. and you know we've
always told each ether things"
Alice looked over AZ her friend Then
she told her what she knew and what she
suspected. told il ahameiacedly, for fear
Clara would think her foolish.
ssfAf eh.f~ n hsr,. MI s,f
course she's g,inr to get him away from
YOU, II she can" Clara summed IL up.
Its clear as daylight. She hasn't any
money and she thinks David has-be has,
YOU know, bat suppose you never even
dreamed of asking him"
What difference would that make 10
me?" Alice asked resantfl:lly
"None 10 you-nlenty 20 her" Clara