Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-04
A SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
The Story Of Woman's rranstormatios.
BY MARION RUBlNCAM.
ProCcteu by Goorse Matthew Adams
A NEW FRIEND.

A NEW FRIEND.
Chapter LXX11.
2 Bud had taxi waiting for US at the
door, and vi looked at him reproachfuliy
"Now, don't say anything about the
extravagance, he protested, IN answer 70
her hook "We're all dressed up, and We q
look funny in trolley.
vi sat back without saying anything
But the boy still seemed to want to justify
himself.
ANYWAY. | took a little fiier today.
Just because it was going to be such a nice
party tonight.
Bind, You promised YOU wouldn't.
Il know-but | didn't risk much and
| made a little-about $50.
That's lot.
We'll, not much. I'll be rich yet
You'll lose il all some day.
"Now don't spoil the evening
There was exasperation in his tones. VI
put her hand out and touched ms arm,
and Bud subsidized at once. VI had this
divine knack of soothing irritation, ana oi
never quarreling.
vi would make an ideal wife for any
man. | selected. She never nagged-tne
ruin Of any marriage-she never quarrel
Ell IN the ordinary sense OF that woro,
though she had temper enough To keep
her from being iLspld. When she leit
her way was best, she usually had it-but
by tactful means. Bud rarely knew wneh
he WAS being "bossed.
We were in good spirits when we ar
rived at the hotel where Francis Meade
had hired ballroom
Both of us grew little excited As We
went in. There were little thrills of music
where the orchestra was tuning up, and
there WAS a rustic of silk as other women
passed us, and in the dressing room two
pretty maids waited TO take our cloaks
and to give us powder and pins.
Bud does look awfnlly handsome IN
that dress suit, vi whispered as we saw
him coming toward us.
The three of us went in together-thls
eEtrarce into a brilliantly Int ballroom
never lost it's thrill for me- was conscious
of many women. some eXquisltely gowned,
some cheaply and fiashily dreSsed-the
best girls of the clerks and office boys,
perhaps.
Two men stood bv the door ieit my
checks go red again as we went towarosi
them Once more | was face to lace with
Frarcls Meade
You needn't introduce me, MIR.
Meade was saying To Bud. III hls Is the
pretty little Miss Haines ! met m the
village last SpTlTS-
He turned to me his eyes blank. |
knew it how would he ever remember so
irsig ihcant a person as myself. My
heart sank for an instant. Then
But YOU aren't the aunt-Miss Haines
Enid IIaines, wasn't 1T | confess |
wasn't sure for moment YOU look too
Young to be even. the aunt Of this grown
up young lady
He turned 10 Violet with that warm and
lovely smii. of his that smile that so
Saftencd and transformed his face.
And now. he went on, II want YOU
Ia wait till greet these people-vou re-
member my partner, don't YOU
We turned to the other man. as he
turned away Presently he came 10 us
again.
Now | want YOU TO come with me TO
meet Mrs. Meade. George, YOU dance
with this little lady. and come for Miss
Haines at the other end OF the room
Nrs. Meade! So ne was married.
OF course. Why hadn't known that
Had Bud told me he was a bacheior-or
was il in his manner? Why had thought
so And WHY should my heart so sudden
~ tighten up?
How foolish was forced mvselt-ior
II was an effort-to look up into his eyes.
Il should like 10 meet your wife, |
said
He smiled down at me-he was quite
tall-that gracious smile that never lost Its
effect upon me- How warm and dark his
ewes werel For the moment | did not
know whether they were gray or brown.
How splendid he was-really the only
man | ever saw who made me want 10
look at him second time. Like all tall
men ms dress suit made him look the hand
somer
Il have no wife | mean my mother.
oh | answered stupidity. the red
coming again 10 nv face How silly was,
] felt, standing there blushing like a
school girl, Esther was right-there'
no fool like an old fool, and | was that.
Nevertheless, when | was presented 10
the charming old lady of 65, | managed to
acquit myself fairly well The softer,
smoother manners / had been consciously
practicing were evidently enough part
Of me to stand by me when ! was fiustered
and needed them most.
Il hope YOU will come and talk to me
fpetween dances" she was saving. we
old people are put here where we can
watch
But ! shall be sitting here with you,
| began
Indeed you shall not, Francis Meade
laughed. .'You shall darce with the other
Young people. If YOU are an aunt, you
don't look like one Come, they're be-
ginning a waltz.
How glad was then that had learned
to dance, Half bewildered, | followed him
to the floor. He put his arm around me
and then somehow, | never knew how, we
were mingling with the dancers, in perfect
rhvthm with the music, IN perfect step
with each other.
heating heart and flushed cheeks!
Monday-His Suspicious.