The Washington times., 1924-01-18


unresistant-heard high, free
note strike out exultant in her
heart. She said softly, "You
shouldn't. 1t wasn't fair"
"Ah-but 50 sweet"
She clasped her hands, silent,
looking down, startled to find her.
self wondering and half wishing
that he might do it again.
He took her hands, pressing
them. Look here, Chickie, you're
not angry with me"
'But told you not To-"
Zone little kiss? Would you be
that stingy?"
1T don't think kisses are such
little things. Anyway, I'm saving
mine"
every first, last. single one Of
them?"
Eyes"
"For whem?"
For somebody great and noble"
He laughed. "Well, I guess
that's me, since got it. But IL you
wanted this one in particular, I'll
give 1t back for another"
She would have liked to let her
self lean back, feel his face against
hers as she had in that short, bliss
full moment.
But she didn't-nor when they
stood at the door. She got into
her own room quickly, sat on the
bed. The room was dark; she felt
herself glowing like a flame. She
touched her face where his cheek.
firm and warm, had pressed a Sec
ond on hers.
She began to undresS swiftly.
Suddenly, as she absently hung up
her dress, Mary's fling of the morn
ing darted into her mind: IT see
1t, Chickie-you'l be married and
settled down like / am in a year"
She turned on the light briskly,
saying half aloud: "Oh, yes, any
old time! Very likely I'll walk into
that! Pooh-a kiss-what's that2"
But her thoughts dwelt on 1t.
Meant nothing-he kissed every
girl he went out with-silly to
make a fuss over ito think about
1t now. AS Janina said, @ kiss Ia
but a small coin tossed to the men
who entertain us like tip to a
waiter"
She told herself this coldly. And
remembering, found a warm,
q wave; found herself smiling,
trembling to meet that window the
next morning.
She trembled, too, with more
than one pang, to meet Janina.
But she had declded to win this
battle with silent dignity. She was
the injured one. She had been
placed in a hideous position. She
would walk in, quietly, waiting for
Janina to open the attack.
Janina debut not in the man.
ner Chickie expected.
Good morning." she said pleas
antly, when Chickie entered Hail
to the virgin and martyr"
Chickie gave her flaring look of
anger. Janina shrugged. "You
didn't need to worry, Chickie.
Make an idiot Of yourself. 'F,raid
someone was going to ruin you?
Don't have to kidnap girls in this
day and age!'
They were sharp arrows culver.
ing in her flesh. but she said loft
lily: "All your sarcasm, Janina,
doesn't cover up the contemplate
trick you did!'
II did!' with a shrill curve to the
prolonged ST." "Well. of all the
nerve! suppose you were
drugged and carried off bodily. I
suppose l held the sponge over
your nose!'
"You could have told me we
were to stay all night"
II don't know where you thought
we were going. Straight down
Market street! Anyway, Chickie,
you did me a worse trick than 1
would dream Of doing you. You
got me in wrong with the whole
crowd. You spoiled the whole af-
fair. And it was a rotten way to
treat Jake. You could at least
have shouted 'Good-by.'"
She kept this up, going back
over it until Chickie felt herself
pushed against the wall. She said
finally, well, I'm sorry. I had to