Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-15
A SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
The Story Of woman's Transformation.
BY MARION RUBINCAM.
Protected by George Matthew Adam.
AN INTERLUDE.
Chapter IXX\I.


doubt whether Violet did much study
ing the next few days. Indeed, watching
her sitting behind pile Of books and note
paper, staring blankly out of the window,
found myself suddenly wishing that girls
did not fall in love so young,
vi, of course, was 19-but, after all,
she was in college, and she had her way
20 make in the world when that was
over. Ii she were merely marking time,
80 10 speak, until Bud was in a position
10 marry her, things would be different
but | long since had decided that II
would be- many years before Bud could
do that And meantlmc-Nl was un-
happy.
80 when our landlady-as we called
the woman who owned the house where
we had our apartment-sald L was
wanted on the phone | went down
stairs with a feeling Of relief. 1t was
Francis Meade.
Gould YOU have dinner with me this
evening he asked.
And said ioyfully that | could
Then, gathering up my courage, added:
do YOU think-wOuld YOU mind m
cludIng Violet? It's rather out OF the
way for me 10 ask, know
Indeed, II isn't, he interrupted
quickly.
But she has been feeling very badly
for the last few days, and | don't like
leaving her alone, / explained.
Il know a perfectly rolhcking farce,
Just the thing to cheer her up. Ven
dine early, then go to the theatre" he
said.
'3ut I don't want to go out" Vi told
me pettishly when | repeated the lnU-
tatIon.
Once more had TO coax bit.
sRemembcr he's Buds employer, you
should he nice TO him, i ended. And
that settled IT, Vi pulled herself together,
and began 70 study seriously.
so we dressed in our incest, and went
uptown in Mr.. Meade's car, to one of
the charming, quiet restaurants he seemed
TO know so well. The head waters IN all
these places invariably greeted him by
name, and like. magic they always pro-
duced the best table In the place, even
when IT seemed crowded.
vi, having been committed to the
party, began TO brighten up as soon as
We left our house Some of it was her
natural good breeding, some the fact
that she was really very young, and
loved a good time-In spite of her un-
happy love affair.
Il thought" Mr. Meade said, "that
we might have box for this show, and
was that gave me extra seats, invited
some friends 10 join us at the theatre.
There 5 young chap who would love
10 dance with our little Violet, in case
she wants 10 after the theatre"
Violet smiled happily, her blue eyes
lighting up. i was glad / had sacrificed
a chance TO be alone with this interesting
friend, since j saw the good the evening
was doing the girl.
And, after all, it was a sacrifice.
had TO share Mr.. Meade with vi while
we were dining, and found myself sud-
denly and unreasonably wanting to be
quite alone with him. / still remem-
bered his farewell a few evenings be-
iore-hOw he had almost said goodbye
ia the usual conventional way, and
then-hOw impulsively he had caught
my hand, and held it.
What had he meant, ] wondered?
That caress it could be called such
was IN my mind every minute, even
when | was concerned over vi and Bud.
Yet this evening, lie was as nice, and as
impersonal as he had been when we
first met.
My face burned a little as I.said that
TO myself. What right had | to think
this man would ever be in love with
me After all, what was / but little.
old End Halnes, aunt-of-all-work and
old maid of Henly Falls-masquerading
as youngish woman for a few monthsi
j looked over the table at Mr.. Meade.
He was telling funny stories to vi,
and his eyes were laughing. He was
too ha"dsome, too much sought after.
too ted, TO think of me except to
De nice - me
When we arrived at the theatre, we
found in our box lad of about Wis
~-''saeksd specially for her." Mr.