Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-07-08
\ SWEETHEART AT THIRTY
The Story ola Woman's Transformation
by MARION RUBINCAM.
Protrc ted by George Mat thcv Adams
/ DECIDE.
Chapicr XXI.


$50, at 35 a man had at last wanted
to marry mel That was something Mt
least. Personally, with his 40 years and
his double chm he was not so attractive,
yet his prosperity made him desirable
in the eyes of my neighbors.
But such as he was, he had wanted
me to marry him. | did not want to-and
yet the fact that he had asked me, that
he had wanted me, gave me self-con-
fidence | never had had in my life before
| An old maid | was, an old maid ! would
| probably remain-for no idea of accept
ing him ever entered my head yet not so
much an old maid as before. For now
would be so from choice, not from lack OF
| opportunity to marry. -
Self-possession came III place OF sell
consciousness. | was not at all nervous
| when | turned to Mark now.
"Why do you ask me to marry your
He gasped a little and gulpcd--I could
see the muscles in his fabby throat con-
tract and relax. IL made his collar seem
| even tighter.
s'Whv?" he repeated "Er-why does
any man ask woman to marry himY
'Pccause he is IN love with herr" |
asked calmly.
"Nonscnser' nc said, irritated at such
an idea
"Why did you almost ask me TO marry
you II years ago2' ! went on.
THAT was different
How"
"Well, it was IL years ago-mAybc
more"
what difference docs that make?" /
asked.
Mark looked still more irritated at
my stupidity. His face grew red-or,
rather, redder than usual.
well, IL years ago We were young.
Lord. YOU were pretty in those days.
This WAS SAID with delightful frankncss.
"You were rather good-looking your
self, then" | emphasized the then.
"And- well, If you must have IT,
was in love with you.
Then
Eyes, then. But all that's nonsense
now. We're both old-look at usr' He
looked at me as he spoke, and looked
at him. And again the sense of our lost
youth was forced upon me-Mark fat,
/ might almos. say bulgy; myself thin TO
the point of spareneSs- bIs look of eter-
nal self-saisfaction, mine of eternal dis
appointment.
You ALWAYS were n romantic one,
he wen. on II remember some of ;he
things YOU used tosay tome then. Now,
that's sentimental of me, isn't It?' he
asked trumphantly.
You wanted 10 kiss me every time
we were alone, or every time 1T was dark,
| answered frankly You wanted TO kiss
me Just because 1t was convenient, be-
cause was the nearest girl and the chance
was there You didn't want 10 kiss me
because it was me especially, or because
YOU were IN love with me.
We'll. maybe | wasn't at first but
was later Anyway, what's that got
to do with this now He was plainly
irritated
Nothing. | said soothingly-1 fore
saw Years when IL would he more and
more necessary for me to soothe this
man But you haven't answered my
| question. Why do you want TO marry
me now
Enid, he began patiently, I've got
| a good home, and a good
Il know" / interrupted rlldely. '"You
| told me all that. Well, since YOU can't
tell me why you want TO marry me, sup
| pose ] tell you. You yea good home, but
| having il nun BY housekeeper is not as
! comfortable as having it run by a wife
| Would you pay me salary to run your
house. Mark
1t was an impish turn of thought Ii
would never have come TO me, had il not
been prompted by something similar
that Violet said.
Again Mark gulped.
"Why-why would you want a sal
ary." he asked You'd be my wife
well, we won't argue that. ! said,
afraid to get into long discussion.
a wife is supposed to give something.
he answered.
$50 is husband ! answered sharply
you We told me plainly enough why you
want TO marry me-mostly because you
want a housekeeper and because you re
lonely over there in that big house you
talk about. But you don want to marry
me because you love me, or because you
would be unhappy without me, or
"But we're too old for all this senti-
mental nonsense. said my lover.
MARX, ] answered quietly. Il don Z
believe any man or woman is ever too old