Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-13
THE GIRL WHO
SMILED THROUGH
BY Marion Rubincam.
Copyright. George Matthew Adams.
WAS IT LOvEY
Chapter v.

\
A few days after the visit to the Model
Farm, Alice chanced upon David Thorne
driving out of the livery stable a few
blocks from her home. He had the same
little runabout and the same gray horse
with which they had driven TO Five Cor
ners- -
"Want TO GOMEZ" asked he cordially,
as he pulled up the horse and jumped to
the pavement. -,
'sI'd like to. but can't this afternoon, !"
Alice said, reluctantly.
ssWhat are YOU doing then2 he asked,
looking at the string bag that swung
from her arm, and at the gigantic bunch
of roses she held.
"I'm going visiting" she told him.
"Visits can alwaysbe put off, he urged.
mot this one" Alice answered decided
IL. And as he continued to urge, she added:
Over in the foreign section there s
little girl of Ii who has been crippled Tor
two wears. 60 over every week and carry
her flowers and packages with surprises IN
them. And mustn't disappolnt her now.
.sAll right, I'll go along, David decid-
ed suddenly. Maybe we can drive your
Young friend round her block, If 1T would
amuse her. :.
TT would be heaven for her" Alice
said, and her eyes shone.
They drove over to that section OF
the town commonly known as "Dago-
town" though only part of its popula-
ton was Italian. Every town or city has
such section; they took alike, they are
all equally dreary. Some OF the houses were
wood, many were piece upon piece OF rust
ed tin, a very few were OF brick Rubbish
collected faster than 1T could be swept
away. and no attempt to pave the streets
Al. h.,.. 10 Ac Enr
,ninpton was small, the houses in the for
SION quarter boasted small chicken runs
and gardens, fenced off by dead branches
ne trees interlaced with more rusted bits
of tin.
ItTwas a general dead level of browns
and dull grays, and in Its setting Alice
and her huge bunch of red roses fairly
radiated light and color and cleanliness.
She disappeared into one of the houses,
while David and his carriage were prompt
ly surrounded by group orunwashed
,irchins. He amused himself for a time by
handing out pennies, until the small group
grew to immense proportions and his
change gave out.
rs she a teacher one youngster
asked. Jerking his thumb to the house,
10 indicate Alice.
II don't think So" David answered.
whats her name?' one asked.
she $ the Happy Lady, didn ie know
dat?' one of them answered IN scorn at
the others ignorance.
The Happy Lady, eh? That's good
name" David said. He stared at the door
through which Alice had disappeared.
Yes. She was n Happy Lady He re-
membered her ready smile, her SHINING
ewes. her sudden laugh. Even in repose,
CHI hnA prf
when with her glowing armful OF flowers
She dapspieared into the dark little house.
She came ont presently, her blue eyes
serious and appealing.
Would YOU like TO do something aw-
fully, awfully nice?' she asked. David
looked deep down into that exquisite
color. SO deep he almost forgot to answer.
Then he caught himself.
"Of course he answered.
"Peppita-that' my little friend-has
been feeling badly. Would you like TO
drive her out to the Farm with US? 1t
would make her happy for weeks.
sure" David answered slangily. But
as Alice ran back for her charge, he felt
q sudden disappointment. And not even
the obvious pleasure of the shy, pale
faced Italian girl made up to him the loss
of the sole companionship OF the Happy
Lady.
But when his errand was done, and
Peppita had been deposited at her home
again, he cheered up. At least, he was alone
with Alice for the all too brief drive to
her house.
Now, for being good, you'll let me
call on YOU tonight, won you? he asked.
Alice smiled with pleasure, then she
remembered something and shook her
head
Il neglected all my afternoon work and
| must do it tonight, she decided. But
- she noted his look of disappointment
tomorrow evening
Until tomorrow then" he answered.
And again she felt the rush of warm
sweet emotion. And With the start of
song on her lips, she ran UP the steps of
her house.
TomorroW-Roses.