The Washington times., 1924-04-12

dear MISS 6ryCe. >, rTo
past your quitting time. ro
looked very suave and IuAur.ouS1'
A he passed her desk ne olIereu
her q chocolate from q Dag no
held In his hand.
Chiekle gave an lmpuIsIve
laugh, Luis went into the smaIier
'reeM and became very busy viii
stack Of racy French masa-
zines. He sat In a chair iacins
her, New and then she felt nls
soft eyes. But when, she was
leaving, a half hour later ne
said. gracefully. "Au revoir' anu
went on with his reading.
She was abashed by her NOT
suspicious and decided to as
miss Luis Lamarck from ner
thoughts. But the following DAY
he arrived In the morning.
At noon when she was leaving
for lunch he picked up his nat
and walked at her side. Az the
sidewalk he said: II have my car.
Shall we rider"
She gave him an astonisned
glance, saying hastily: just as
you like" and would have rushed
on, but he shrugged ana tlme9
his pace to hers. Chickie turned
down Seventh street ana as
though she were alone, daliieo a.
the shop windows.
Luis said: IT know nice nome
like place at the end OF the
block. Shall we dine there"
IT don't dine at noon. Wink
His hold, purring laugh rang
SOFTLY: 'Bien! 1t will improve my
figure, tool You don't really
mind my escort, Miss Bryce"
she answered stiffly: II thought
made it very plain Mr.. La
marck."
"Yes-but you haven't a ban
or conversation as well as on
lunch? / may offer you some
talk?" They were standing be-
fore an art store. The windows
had an exhibit of foreign sketches.
"The square. Quite fine. isn't
it? Have you ever been TO
Chick.e thought oppressively:
what shall do? How shall
Luis had taken her arm and
was talking in a very entertaining
fashion, telling of his visits to
Europe before the war. You
would enjoy Paris, Miss Bryce.
There they know how to live.
one doesn't make tragedy OF
trifle. 1t is the real mecca OF
the free"
Her cheeks were blazing. She
turned back toward the office.
Luis said, IT have some snap
shots / took of those same scenes.
They are with my books. must
show them to you. Remind me
the next time l come in"
The l;ehtness of his mood baf-
fled her. She said to herself, He
r. merely a trifler. have no
noise. I won't think Of 1t at all"
Yet she did. Every time her
door opened--for it was useless 70
lock it-a blaze Of color swept
into her cheeks.
Saturday Luis showed her his
SNAPSHOTS. He sat on the corner
of her desk, leaning toward ner;
He became excited as ne recalled
experiences at ! the y sidlsheren!
scenes, and several times grabbed
her hand. She moved II quetlV
to her lap. -,
LUIS ralSeu MS UEoWS WIZ P
osophical cheerfulness. II want
| to show you something else, MISS
Bryce. I'd like your opinion;
| Would young girl care Tor TINS!
: He drew from his pocket small
square box, opening 1t nimbly.
Within was a loose link brace
let, each link set with glow
ing black opal. "a
| Chickie's breath caught.
do you like. it?' -. :,
| at is very exquisite"
"Oblige me, please, and try 1t
on"
She did this. The. thing rip
pied like a living flame. Luis
/ looked at it, then at her. His
olive skin flushed, darkly. Are
you fond of jewels?"
| Chickie unfastened the clasp,
let it drop, a flash Of color, into
/ the gray satin box. "Yes-some-
what. II they are different"
He ran the bracelet on his fin
gers and, looking down into her
eyes, murmured. What do you
like better than jewelS2"
She colored, feeling his near
ness and the husky warmth Of
his voice. She pushed her chair
briskly. Many things, Mr., La
! marck."
AS she stood, he blocked her,
| putting his hands softly on her
arms. His face smiled into hers.
MANY things. my dear? You
must tell me what they are"
| Chickie's eyes blazed. She flung
her head up, the pointed chin
very sharp, and twitched her
arms. free. "Move aside, Mr.. La
4 marckG'
4 He let her pass, but he said
1 in a. tone Of ], irritation: "Why
do yous flare at me sol"
| She didn't answer. - -He3walked
up'r and stood directly at her
side, watching as She put on
her hat. Don't be tinl such a
hurry, little pepper potl.II have
lovely plan for this afternoon
You've never visited Modjeska's
!, home? I want to drive you there.
We can have dinner there and
talk over these many things YOU
| like"
Chickie bit her lips, turning
her face sharply from his.
Does that please you, nv
dear?"
She answered, coldly: II have
my own plans for the afternoon.
A momentary spark struck
across his face, but he shrugged
and smiled. What are they
then? Perhaps we can conipro-
mise, since you are the one to
be pleased"
She looked squarely into his
eyes. ''Mr. Lamarck, you have
annoyed me intensely for this last
week. You refuse to understand.
HIla.,..- - = 4