Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-03-02
ALICE'S LOVE.
Chapter M

bo YOU Inv lSptSt EsAt'N s''nsN
one evening. 1t was the first time since her
cousin had come that the two had been
alone. They had pulled their chairs out
under the trees on the little lawn. Mrs.
Fairbanks had gone to bed and Mrs.
Riley had asked Lois over for supper.
mo. don't" David answered prompt
ly. 81 don't want TO hurt your feelings
for ] know yon like her Maybe I'm unjust
to her, but Sues always IN my way. 1
never see you alone"
cts such wee house." Alice explained
deprecatingly. We're always falling over
each other. There are only four rooms,
you know" :.
"Well, shouldn { srrumble, | suppose,
David answered, though his tone was
grumbling. 'In few weeks we'll be mar
ned and then / can carry you away from
all these people"
''In few weeks" Alice drew little
sigh She held out her hand and DAVID
caught hold of it. Then her manner chang
ed.
"My dear, / must talk to you about
that" she began in business-l.ke voice
81 don't see how we can do 1t IN lew
weeks You see, if we take mother to the
farm to live with US, II leaves Lois With
out a home"
w clis itt fohA iF~ va s'N'S
and Lois with her. | thought that was
UNDERSTOOD David answered in surprise.
1--WE did think so-until Lois came,
Alice answered. "But, You see, she's
never done any work and she doesn't
know the first thing about it.
Teach her." said David shortly.
''She seems sweet enough and obhglng
enough. If she hasn't home, she would
certainly be glad TO stay on with your
mother and look after things. It's small
place; the work can't be much.
Alice smiled In the darkness. II was
small place, but only woman could guess
the amount of work an inconveniently
built house, garden and chicken yard
could mean-especially when canning and
preserving was done, when old clothes
were made and re-made and darned and
mended to lengthen their service, when
every penny made by growing and canning
and selling vegetables went TO furnish
the family with little needed comforts,
but what was the use of trying to explain
all this?
''There is bit OF work, she said finally.
"And ] do want to talk TO Lois about
learning to do it, and see whether she
wants TO stay on with mother after-after
wei married. But you see, Id never be
dDle 10 DedGu litI lew "tthSs w hSs
she can't even make coffeef
Cline she learned, David remarked
briefly.
Alice started to talk about it again,
but David stopped her suddenly by coming
over and sitting on the arm OF her chair.
He put his arm around her shoulders, and
leaning down, kissed her. And Alice, her
head pressed against him, was silent and
happy.
lido you love me?" he whispered.
with all my heart, she answered,
and there was no shyness IN her voice
this time. Her whole soul was behind
her words.
do you know, dear" she said, ''I'm
glad I'm old enough TO appreciate what it
means TO be in love-as much as this.
I'm glad no other man ever fell in love with
me, and that never loved anyone else"
She looked up at David. In the darkness
OF the evening, she could only see his face
dimly. He was remarkably good TO look at.
If ] were only Is" she went on. Il
couldn't understand how wonderful all
this Is. If | had been very happy in the
past, and had had lots of lovely things, /
couldn't appreciate all this
1t was vague speech. but David under
stood its meaning. He kissed her gently en-
the lorcnead, ana sat Tor moment with
his face resting against her hair.
81 hope you'll always be In love with
me sweetheart" he said. IL know / SHALL"
Alice said, and moved little to take
David's hand, which she had been hold
ing and press it against her check. "Its
much nicer this way, isn't it? For I've
never loved anyone before you, and I'll
never love anyone again, SO you are all
my life and all NV love-
II don't think deserve all that, David
said gently and little huinbly but it's
awfully sweet, and ! do appreciate it
at least.
He kissed her again and they were
silent for long time, while Alice stared
out in the soft dark Of the evening,
David's hand in hers.
Love him! She couldn't begin to tell
him how much There were no words to
express it so she rarely tried. It was a
blind alteration, it was almost religious
fervor-this love of hers for the tall, |
man who sat beside her.
Out of the darkness came Lois voice. |
soft and sweet, but iarripg upon Alices |
reverie like something unpleasant.
Tomorrow Fateful Drive.