The Washington times., 1924-02-18

UdICUIly Will lIS ldQQGEb Oh IGU
and white roses--last bloom of
the year. She said gayly:A "Such
a much as I've to tell you. And
want to ask things, too. I've
planned this conversation, honey
love, for quite a while. Nobody
can talk to Bess. Poor thing
she's SO tired and SO delicate. And
of course Marge doesn't reslgster
above the neck. Did you know
that? It's my conclusion--'
AS Chickie dressed she ratified
on in this strain, half eager
half pathetic. "Well, you know
Marge is engaged again--the third
time since you were here before.
Now, that isn't right, do you
thlnk2 told aer SO. We had q
see, we're getting old enough to
have sense now. Going on Eight
cen. Marge said she was a free
soul. She grabbed that from
Janka-only Janka knows what
she means and Marge doesn't!
And Marge Is writing free verse
now about love and the grand
passion and what she has dis
covered of men. Oh, it's awful
rot. Marge says that's because l
don't understand what she talks
about. But do. Anyway, I'm
pretty worried-now what would
you do?"
Cbickie was bending down put
ting on her slipper. Nance sat
on a low stool, her slender arms
wrapped about her knees; the
brown, curly bobbed head raised
appealingly. The young girl radi-
ance Of her touched ChiclSie as 1t
might q much older woman. She
said, laughing: do you mean
about Marge and her loves?"
"Yes-because it's not love at
all-and it's much worse than
petting or flirting. I do that a
little myself, but l don't think
Marge ought to go in for things
like this. She's getting sulkier
and sullzier, and it's awful having
q twin like this. But she says it's
still a mans world we live in
and the only way for a girl to
get by IL to be free like men
and do the things they do and
not care a snap about any little
things. She says she means to
know and taste everything be.
cause that's life. And / should
do the same or I'll find myself
hanging on a withered hickory
tree. But don't believe that,
do you? Now you ought to tell
me, because I'll bet all kinds Of
men have made love to you. So
what do you think?"
Chickie said, regarding her with
nervousness and m u m n t:
well, it's not true at all, Nance.
You just keep your own ideas"
And / won't find myself dang
ling from an old, dead tree?"
Indeed you won't. But Marge
may, because she's trifIing with
love and we shouldn't do that.
And she doesn't know what she's
talking about"
The eager young face bright
ened. Nance cams over ana swept
an arm about Chickie. Il knew
you'd feel like this. You believe
in love, don't you? I just know
it. That nice Red of yours!
love hin-so gallant, saying that
clever thing about you being the
best what was! Chickie, do you
think some one will love Nance
like that some day."
It affected Chickie niercingly-
brought her feelings in a warm
tumult over her. She said halt
ingly: "Of course, Nance. And
I'd wait for it If We're YOU"
Nance kissed her. You sweet
honey-love! All right! Because
want real love and not just ex.
cuses for things"
What is real love, Nance? Do
you known"
Nance wrinkled 1ler chin imp
ishly. Like yours, Chicikie. But
no one else who comes here has
it@hat's true, know"
She wondered why that made
her tremble-why it made her
glad.
But it did. When they went
into the dance hall that night and
he caught her with n sudden
laugh saying, Dance, frail!
Look up-here!" ana she found
his face flushing, she lowered her
head against him. She whispered.
"Donti You're bold!'
But she was swept as completely
as the night a year ago when he
said for the first time, "Chickie-I
love you" Swept and content.
That night late they were stand
ing on the balcony, hidden by the
roses. They looked down into the
gardens and saw couples walking
about-Some coming from ma
chines-others entering the house,
going softly down the long halls.
From the room below the music
stole up gently-a touch of lonali-
ness singing In the silence. She
said: Barry, I came and stood
here year ago-remember?"
Remember what? That we had
wandered down to the pool?"
"Yes-but not that-remember
we, were so astonished-and when
came back here 1 couldn't sleep.
l loved you So"
"And now, Chicl1ie-you care
more, don't you"
IF I could
And they were talking like that.
He sat on the rail. The moon
uOpPCu AOHB S1aIC OF SILVER
through the trees. He pulled her
to him. She whispered: Its very
late"
You want me to go"
"No-never-but you'll have
to-l'm always afraid"
OF what, Chickie"
II don't know. Barry, it's DIFF.
ferent with us than with these
others here? Isn't it?"
"Of coursev'
She laughed: "Yes-eyen Nance
could see it"
They, forgot these others-they
We're shut out from them,
And suddenly came a banging
at the door Of the room. She
ssprang to her feet. He hel0 her
hand. 4s
Marge called out thic,xJv.