The Washington times., 1924-01-10

Continued from First Pags)
"oh. Lord, didn't suppose you'd
worry about thatp'
but were you ever a wall
Flower, Nary?
Mary's fine, intelligent face
Tanned. She remembered hasty
and embarrassed flights to the
dressing room. She remembered
sitting in the dance hall in an
attitude Of waiting, a strained
smile on her lips, glancing about
| rs though expecting any moment
i Q dozen partners to arrive.
I "Oh, generally manage to
have a dance or two"
''Rut the very first time, how
was it then? Why, you needn't
look SO superior, Mary. I'm not
the only, one to worry. I nearly
died today. Dolly Bacon had that
little Stella Brown in q corner
and was telling her just how to
I make hit. She said, Now, all
you have to do, Stella, it just say
every funny, ldlotic thing that
comes into your head, and be
sure to keep laughing all the
tlme.'"
Mary considered this advice.
mindful Of the enviable popular
1ty OF Miss Dolly Bacon. She
commented tartly, We'll, it proves
what I've always said: Men aren't
worth bothering with! wouldn't
degrade myself trying to please
them"
Chicxie burst out laughing.
They reached the steps Of
Chiclxie's home-a little yellow
cottage with peaked roof, set
back a little so that there was
small garden with q border Of
pink cowslips. On the left was
an ell. Through this window,
now golden with the sun, they
saw Jennie Bryce and she was
sewing. a.
She was making Chickie's dress,
soft thing of blue with little
silver flowers worked into the
fabric. She had been sewing on
1t for days, loving the stitches,
her heart growing young with
the work.
The two, girls watched her In
silence, Then Mary said, II sup
pose your dress is most finished.
Chiclie?" .............
"Come in, Mary, Ill try it
They did this every afternoon,
Mary standing aside and giving
l1ypercritical suggestions = the
mother, plump, uncertain, push
ing her spectacles back on her
nose-excited because Chickie was
% radiant--her eyes all shining
So
Finally the night of the great
adventure came. Jennie was in a
flutter. Now and then she bit
her lips.
''Chickie, dear" she pleaded in
her agitation, stand still or I
can never find the clasps"
"'But Jennie darlington pity
sakes, won't you hurry! I'll be
late! The dances will all be gone.
Oh, mother, inside Of me is just
all jumping! Oh, don't know
what to dor
Suddenly she remembered Dolly
Bacon's tried and tested formula
for bringing the young male to
his knees. She began to think of
all the funny, idiotic things she
had ever heard.
Jennie caught a forgotten
thread. There she sighed,
stepping back from the bureau,
her plump, gentle face rosy with
pleasure. "Ah, well,-Quick-let
your father see-"
Chickie gave her. a little gasp Of
Joy, forgot the rule for making
"hits," entranced at her own i'm
age in the mirror. She drew her
hands together in .ecstacy. "Moth-
er! Do 1 really look like that?
Oh, heavens
She ran in and stood before her
fathers chair - nervous-waiting
for the glow to light up his face.
q He put down his paper, sur
Veyed her with rejoiced but as.
tonished eyes.
"Chiclxie! Why, how grown-up
you seem-I1l be bfessed"'
"Oh, Jonathan angel, if you
only knew how perfectly gor-
-geous I feel" She laid her soft
cheek against his, running her
fingers through his hair. "1 feel
all springs-all full Of bubbles.
Hurry-you come to the door
with me"
He went reluctant. He watched