The Washington times., 1924-04-08
CHAPTER XXI.
The Double Toll.

Chickie backed into the room,
her eyes on that white face. Lee
Whitman followed
He stood against the door, his
head lowered. He stood so and
didn't speak.
Chickie's hands were folded and
her lips parted because Of a
brathless anguish. She looked at
this man who had kneeled to her;
whose arms had touched in
ecstacy about her shoulders. This
man who had exalted her until
she was but beauty and a spirit.
She saw his face stricken with
shame and the pain she had to
bear was like the throat or the
heart torn living and slowly out
of one.
He spoke in a muffled tone,
barely audible: II just learned of
that-of what she did to you."
Chickie shut her eyes. What
was he saying? Just learned?
She dared to tell me. Came
this morning and told me. /
cannot meet your eyes,"
She asked family in a soft,
broken murmur: What do you
mean? l don't know what you
mean. You saw that was gone"
"Yes-but she said you had re-
ceived a wire. Your father was
hurt in an accident. You left to
catch the train"
"Oh! She told you that? Did
she tell that to Barbara"
He nodded.
$50 Barbara doesn't know.
Barbara went away not know
ing? I'm glad of that. You don't
know how glad I am for that"
She stood quiet there in the mid
die of the room, her eyes down,
and her voice was a plea as
though she reached out her hand
to him.
He moved toward her, an eager
ness coming like a light across
his mouth: Helen! Do you
mean you can care? You can
think Of us at all after that?
am ashamed to stand before
you"
She shivered, a confusion in her
mind. And, suddenly, glancing up
ward, beheld his eyes, rapt, intent,
worshiping. They dropped a ter.
ror upon her because of what they,
told; because of their young, pas
sionate faith so blindly shining.
He said hoarsely, as though the
effort were enormous: Helen,
do you count the fault mine? Did
you think could forsee she would
do ghasty thing like this? It
Is worse than anything; worse
than l could have dreamed. II
you had only come to me-"
She swayed little, folding more
tightly her hands. They were so
cold. She looked down at her feet,
noticing the points of her slippers,
fastening on this common detail to
steady her thoughts.
Then she said, with the breath
OF 1t an agony: What are you
meaning? Oh-it doesn't matter
nothing matters. Nothing. Did
she tell you all? All Of it?"
He pressed his fist against his
mouth: Don't think of it! Please!
She told enough-enough-"
All, yes--and you? What do
you say-what?"
He took hurried step, caught
her two hands: Helen! She
could tell It a thousand times.
She could shout 1t to the heavens.
DO you think I'd care? Do You
think ia believe one single
She rocked from him: ooh
OH and showed with a little
wild gesture, his hands from hers.
he stood bewildered, the intent
vlvldness fading from his face un-
III 1t became like powdered ash.
lie asked, incredulous: "Why do
you treat me so? Do you blame
me! How could 1 guess?"
SShe smiled, her lips drawn
Whlte with desperation. She tried
10 speak; to look up then and
oravely meet his eyes. But she
could only fold her hands: only
press with a mute and tragic
prayer.
lie came up then and touched
those Icy hands. "Helen--are Won
nurt TOO much? You never wish
10 see me again? Is that il? II
was the cruelest thing? 1t was
L she wished to suffer-not you-
Helen"
The wound hidden so. deeply in
ner heart opened, flowing with a
warm, new anguish; and It seemed
10 her that she was Staying some
tnlng; a frail, radiant thing. She
must do this-stand here and
watch 1t die. Her spirit covered
face. 0''oO 40
He said; Speak to me, Heller
won't your"
she shook her head. She turned
from him, motioning that he mus
go; "Please--oh, now-oh, go
lie came swiftly, his hands or
ner shoulders. He swept her
ABOUT and looked into her face
her eyes confessed what the NOV
ing lips had refused.
Moments his breath choked. II,
held her so. the light flaming an,