The Washington times., 1924-01-11

JOtlhIuhU, uOFVOub a0 Ill OtU VIZ
man, with his arm about her shoul-
der, grew preachy. she forgot to
tease him.
Look here, Chickie, want you
to come home right after the
show"
What makes you say such q
thing, Jonathan? Where should /
go?"
''Well-you might want to go
somewhere and dance. And that's
all right with, Jimmy and with
boys you know. Not with these
strange young men,"
Chickie frightened. "Ho! Funny
old Jonathan! Fraid the wolves
will pounce on cutie's little lamb?"
Why was Jonatha always say
ing things like that?
She scarcely spoke to Harry
Lewis as they drove downtown.
But In the theater she stole a
sharp glance at his mild, pleas
ant face, caught a friendly smile
in his eyes.
What a little idiot she was! AS
though a man wasn't just as harm
less as ever anything could be!
Oh, Janina would laugh If she
knew how stiff and nervous Chickic
had been!
She turned gay and sparkling.
She sighed with admiration over
the: gowns the actresses wore.
And soon she felt at ease.
But when the play was over and
he took her arm, saying careless
ly, GLORIOUS night. Suppose we
take q little ride to the beach.
I've an idea you swing wicked
footw When he said that she an
swered quickly and very flushed,
"Oh, no!'
! He seemed insulted. She made it
worse by adding, "Oh. l didn't
mean it like that. Why-it's quite
late now -"
He remained stiffly silent.
Ia pure nervousness, Chickie
laughed. Her poise returned. She
laughed again,
"Oh, well, Mr.. Lewis, don't be so
huffy! You see. it's like this-I':n
fathers only child, He's queer
old fellow. He'll sit up waiting for
me.
And, of course / didn't dream
you were going to be SO awfully
nice and ask me to the beach,
so l promised to come home early
and IL l don't show up he'll ring
up the morgue and police and
the Old Ladies' Home. :"
He forced sniile-with a
touch of sarcasm: You haven't
brought papa up right. have
you -? Well--how's the Palace :?
That's near to home :"
IF you don't mind, I'd rather
not tonight. You see as long as
told him I'd come
"Oh, well! Then I suppose I'll
have to freeze you to death with
ice cream 2"
She took it seriously. "Oh, I'D
like that!'
He burst out laughing. But
they went and had a chocolate
sundae.
At her door Mr.. Lewis swept
off his hat with the gallantry OF
a prince. wen shave to put
papa to bed before we go next
timer
Chicl<ie caught the touch of
grinning malice. AS she went
tiptoeing down the hall Jonathan
called: rs that you, Chickie?"
After she was in bed Jennie
came padding in, the candle in
| her hands-face all gentle.
Chickie wouldn't open her eyes.
They were smarting with defeat.
Monday morning Janina greet.
ed her eagerly. you didn't come
out to Tait's Saturday. The
whole crowd was waiting. Go to
the Palace?"
"No."
"Wherep"
"Ah! You'd like to know, !
take it!' Chickie closed her eyes
with sigh mysterious and taunt.
ing.
But a few days later Janina
whipped off her hat, her face
alive with wicked delight. She
stood at Chickie's desk looking
down at the golden head. raising
an eyebrow and smiling. She
seemed about to so into Mysteries
$50 you did, did you? All, you
little cut-up. You did, did you?"
Chickie, sharpening her pencils
gave Janina a look of pity. why
all the glee?"
Janina, with a full tormenting
laugh, sauntered to her desk
sending amused half contemptu
Gus glances at her.
Then she tossed a note. On IL
was typed all the letters in capi-
tails: "CHICKIE BRYCE. WILD
WOMAN! LOOK OUT FOR
HER. SHE EATS CHOCOLATE
SUNDAES. HIP, HIP, HUR
RAYw
Chickie crumpled the paper
tore 1t into bits.
The delicious incident furnished
Janina with a hundred cruel little
|. arrows that stuck sorely into
Chickie's pride. Her lips curle6
with mockery.
Poor ole Harry! Thought he'd
come a strutting triumphantly
out to the crowd with my lovely
little golden girl on his, arm
Thought he'd have them all green
with envy!
"Hass's! She feeds him Ice
cream! All! Papa's little baby
Tuck her in at night"
That made Chickie's heart burn
Janina and Harry Lewis sneerins
at Jonathan!
And it happened that very after
noon, when she was forced to take
some papers into the little glassed
in office, Harry Lewis took them
leisurely asking her questions
smiling, eyes twinkling: Papa
still sitting up late, Miss Bryce?"
Chickie turned sharply, winking
trying to pass it off lightly with
a laugh, but it bit too deeply
Struggling to keep her lips from
twitching, she said: II made a