Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-02-08
CHAPTER 2


priceless antiques, this lovely shy child
buried in the backwoods village, when
her father was one of the richest men
in Northern Michigan. She was re-
membering, too, that worshipful look
in Lila's eyes as they watched Ford
Ransom. Delicia didn't have to be
told Lila's secret. She was adept at
reading peoples secrets in their eyes.
Well, why not? she was thinking.
It would be fun to marry this child
off to Ford. 1t was time he settled
down.
cts just that you're so-wonderful.
I hardly dare" came that awed little
voice into her thoughts.
"Dare WHAT" she asked, coming
back long way.
"Call you Delicia," said Lila, flush
ing little at her first use of that
name aloud.
Nonsense! Aren't we a couple of
nice girls trying to do the best we
can for ourselves?"
"But you're so wonderful" breath
ed Lila.
Wonderful-how? asked Delicia,
not to have the compliment elaborated
for the initiation of her ego, but to
find out what the child was really
thinking of her. The villagers had
varied opinions of Delicia Stratwell,
she knew.
"Oh, so popular and happy and light
hearted and gay"
81 know. The village calls me The
Gay Divorce. Well, dear child, laugh
and the world laughs with you. You
get back just what you hand out, so
mind you hand out what you want
to get back"
IT want-love," Lila said almost un-
der her breath.
"Well-iove is something else again.
Especially if you want it to end in
white satin and orange blossoms. You
have to fight for it, Lila. Do you
know how?"
"No," admitted Lila. ~ wish
you'd tell me. You know so many
things that wish I knew.
"You have to remember that men
don't want to get married, Lila. At
least not until some girl teaches them
to want to. All any girl has to do
is decide which man she wants and
then-go get him."
"But-how?" asked Lila earnestly.
"I've been simply mad about man
for years-and he doesn't know I'm
on EARTH"
"Make him notice you," said Delicia
sitting up. Make him do things for
you and protect you. The first time
you get him alone, confide in him
oh, nothing about any previous love
affairs, but something that can be
secret between you two. Tell him he
understands you, and that you can
trust him. When you get that far
I'll give you lesson number two"
"But that doesn't sound like teach
ing him to want to get married."
said Lila naively.
THAT'S just the beginning, lamb,
but it has to be done just as carefully
as any of the rest. Who's the man?"
IOh. I couldn't possibly tell you'll"
cried Lila, flag Of shame and fear
in her face, just as dogs wild bark
ing outside announced visitor.
"Here comes Ford" said Delicia,
quickly. "Now you watch. This is
some of the advanced treatment
though Ford is nothing in my life.
This is called Concern for the Brute's
Comfort, otherwise known as keeping
their stomachs full and their hands
busy"
"Hello, darling" she called gaily.
"Come in and save our girlish figures.
Hilda made ton of sandwiches"
Lila sat there so relieved by Delic-
las words that Ford meant nothing
to her, and so thrilled by his arrival
following them, that she almost forgot
to look and listen.
Ford was nothing in Delicia's life.
Oh, joyful news! Now if Delicia
wasn't anything but friend to Ford!
"Hello, Beautiful" said Ford, tramp
ing in. "Good afternoon, Miss-ah--'
He hadn't even remembered her
name! Lila fought back the bitter
tears that she could have spilled cas-
Ter than not.
~This nice child's name is Lila Hen
dryx, Ford" said Delicia, staring up
at him. "And you might as well re-