Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-08-08

CNuuiCdtc.b
Lucille had fallen In love with
Reggie Devereau. He had asked her
to marry him and she had accepted
him, but she vas not happy at all
Reggie did not measure up to the
man OF her dreams---thc man she had
expected TO fall in love with-and
once again. she felt, had her emo
tions ruled rather than her mind.
1t irritated her to think she had been
so weak when her reasoning powers
told her plainly that marriage with
Reggie would he fiaeco.
In the first place, Reggie was one
of those nice, mild young men who
are switched ovec to anybody's opin-
ion and whose tact and good nature
borders on weakness OF character,
In the second place. Lucille's entire
family and 1t was long. rambling
ono, Was waiting for lust such a
man TO lean upon. There was a
whole string OF old aunts and uncles
and second cousins who were look
ing for a free boarding house in
which to end their days; numerous
young nephews out of luck. ready to
welcome an uncle who would be easy
to touch" half dozen young, pretty |
nieces who wished earnestly to study |
music or something and had no funds. |
They fiattered Reggie, catered to him |
and filed the parlor the evening he
came 10 call on Lucille. The latter |
watched keenly for the slightest sign |
OF masteCfulness in Reggie the least
indication TO assert himself. but she
looked In vain.
Then Jim Burns came to town,
opened a sporting goods store and
took the populace by storm. At a
church social Lucille had mot him and
was fascinated. He was jus, the d.
rect opposite of Reggie: he made II
known at once that ne wouldn't
stand for any nonsense" everybody
had to give in 10 him, ne was not
a man 10 back down from the slightest
! opinion that he might express. He
was big, fine looking fellow and his
mas;erfulness was like a magnet. 1t
also attracted Lucille. She never for
got the first night he called
The parlor was flled as usual
/ line OF aunts and cousins beaming
with welcome and sweetness and a
couple OF fapper-n!eces at the piano
twinkling alternately with coyness
and fascinating pertneee. In ave
minutes the room was empty except
for Lucille and Jim. II don't stand
for any nonsense. YOU know" he had
smiled in his tyrann3cel way.
After that when ne called the parlor
was always empty before ne arrived.
Lucille adored him--he was so naster-
ful IN the smallest thing. Things went
his way or stood still. /, was de-
l.ghtful 20 see the family put firmly
in it's place, to be no longer bothered
with innumerable hangers on" where
ever one went.
A couple of times when Reggie
called Lucille was "out," and when
she did receive him no only looked
at her with big. reproachful, doggy
eyes. but never said a word about
Jim's calls. If Lucille plt!ed Reggie
IT. was a pity that bordered on con-
tempt Nevertheless. she realized
that things could not go on forever
this way-she would have 20 make q
decision between the two. II was
peculiar that as much as she admired
Jim she had not the heart 10 tell Reg
: gie she was through with him. Her
: reasoning told her that 1t was the
only proper thing 10 do, that Jim was
? the right man for her, yet the memory
= Of many tender moments with Reg
: gle kept her wavering. She was posi-
: tive that If she had Jim at her side
E facing Reggie she would be capable o.
!. making her choice. would have tn.
: strength TO tell Reggie to go.
: Then again in gentle mood, he,
e heart ewayed toward the even good
Z natured Reggie, and she felt that she
: was not giving him a square deal
q She tried TO reason 1t out look a
|. the future IN cool. practical man
. ner. weigh everything carefully. In
. variebly the balance was decidedly Il
: the favor of Jim. But she hod not tn
: courage TO tell poor Reggie.
Then one night after sleeples
hours an idea suggested itself. Sh
wondered that she had not though
OF that solution sooner and saved her
. self these days OF INDIGESTION an
! worry. She would let Jim settle tn
q whole affair. She would invite the tw
8 young men for the same evening. bu
'e neither would know that the othe
was coming, and Jim, who would nc
-e stand for any nonsense, would 500
Il settle the affair.
= The very next morning Lucille tele
le poned Jim TO come up that evening
lie and he answered in his usual authors
is tetive way that II had been his inter
of ton and he would be there early
e. Then she called UP Reggie. He wa
d delighted TO hear her voice; he thank
,e ed her humbly for calling him. bt
,r he did not know what to say abol
u coming. do you really want m
D. Lucilie?" anx1ously.
20 why, 2 course. Reggie. Other
,s wise l wouldn't have asked you." 81
~ spoke very sweetly.
40 Lucille. Darling. you make n
= very happy. I'll be there"
!. Jim arrived first. Disposing Of h
- hat, he linked his arm through Luci
le les and led her straight TO 4 davel
- port. and. once seated, he kissed her
es 'Jim." said Lucille reproachful
Oh but pleased.
"a Look here. honey girl. you and
y. had better come to an understanding
n he said There's that little shrin
Sc Reggie Deyereau hanging aroui
ge here and you know 1 won't stand I
us any nonsense."
ut Lucille laughed little and u
ce continued
OF When want . thing. no matt
how small. ! always get It, and VIII
I've found the girl I love. well-a Il
it's tie thing like Reggie won't stand
% my way. that's ALL and he mig
as well know, sooner or later, tn