The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-03
CHAPTER LXXXVI.
LANINA'S ADVICE.

She would have to meet It alone.
Now she hurried along at ia
nina's side, watching her feet
watching the feet of men, heavy
and swift; Of girls, light, pointed.
She began counting these feet,
not daring to raise her eyes; not
trusting her shaking lips to say
a word.
He was gone on the tour-per-
haps even now standing on the
deck, lila at his Side;; Has fair
hair blowing in his face. He
didn't know-now he wouldn't
know. The months would pass
She shivered. Within her was
a coda violence of cold. She
felt like gripping Janina's hands;
like shrieking: God, what am
to do! Janina-what in the name
Of God can I do?"
Janina spoke abruptly: well,
too bad, ole kidl Sorry kind Of
butted in on the thing. Bess
never guessed, though. You did
not know he was going on the
tour?"
Didn't he hint about it? Didn't
you half guess that was why he
beat it off to New York? He
knew he could join them there
make a heater break and a man
always takes the easier way"
"Oh, no-that's not why he
went-not at all"
"A sharp, whitening glance. But
Janina halted. The dead pallor
of Chickie's skin; the hunted look
in Chickie's deep, beautiful eyes
smote her. "Of all things, baby!
You think he went to visit his
mother? So considerate-like! And
then just sweetly got roped into
this? Well, If / were you, Chickie,
I'd not be finding excuses-"
I'm not! Why-well, we Just
agreed, you know-it was all
agreed, in way"
II see! Agreed to part and
meet again If all went well on
the Potomac--eh?
Chickie closed her eyes, fol.
lowing Janina blindly-heaving
against her.
We'll, it's tough, Oh dear. At
least, it seems so to you. But
It's not a tragedy. When q man
wants to go. let him have the
gate; help him along with the
boot-the quicker, the better! II
it dragged on for years and then
ended, you'd have something to
cry about"
I'm not crying, Janina. Only
1 expected him back-so It was
q shock -"
Janina's eyes hardened: Poor
kid! suppose It wae. But don't
think about him; not worth it.
No man is. when he's gone!
That's what women must learn.
Drop a flower on the grave, not
a tear. Be glad for what you
had-dont mourn for what you've
lostw
In the devastation of Chicfie's
mind, Janina's wit was q paltry,
twittering thing sparrow chirp-
ing in the trench where q young
sudden impulse to say: "Oh rave,
Janina! What do you know 1
wonder. what you'd do? You can
meet whatever comes? Oh. you
can, can your / wonder how
This frightened "How2" shrilled
through her thoughts. It hooted
like a wind In her ears. At her
desk that afternoon It beat
against her. Her hands grew
rigid on the typewriter. She
whispered back, frantic: God. :
A faintness that was warm and
sick went circling round and
round about her heart. Noises
thudded in her ears.
Finally when Janina went into
the office Of Harry Lewis, Chickie
scrubbed q note: 81 am beating 1t.
Tell Lewis anything you like.
need the air, ole thing! See you
tomorrow
She walked UP Kearny street,
stopping at the window Of a pawn
shop, staring vacantly ct ponder
GUS old watch chains: immense
jade rings. A stocky, black-haired
man with an unctuous face
opened the show case, putting a
tray Of bracelets directly under
her gaze. He smiled at her.
She turned sharply. retracine
her steps. she wondered blealgly
where she was going.. AZ Caller