The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-27

Of hot eagerneas and looked at
Chickie with his .boyish, magnetic
smile: ''She asked me to give
you a message" He paused.
Chickie said: "Yes-what 10 it?"
"Well-the fact is, she's down at
Riverside with the nurse. Her
friends come in, Of course, but
they don't stay very long. She
wanted me to ask you to come
and stay with her a few days.
Chickie gave him snclI a wide,
sharp look of establishment he col
Ored and bit his lips together
quickly. lis 1t such an amazing
request. Miss Bryce?"
"Well--yes, / think 1t is"
why? She's not used to soli-
tude. The nurse IL older. Why
Is 1t amazing that she should
want company girl like herself
around? She can't insist that her
friends sit with her eight hours Il
day. Yet 1t would be no harder
for you than working in the Of
flee. ! thought you might even
find 1t rather a lark. Miss Bryce.
The two Of you could drive around
, together. You'd have quite q
chance to see the country and
nothing to do but endure each
others society"
Chickie glanced upward, puzzled.
II would be glad. Of course, but
I'm not free to go and come as I
please, you know"
"nh-0hn1It fhokO hts
short, infectious laugh-''it would
simply mean a transfer Of your
place Of business, Miss Bryce.
What do you say? Barbara want
ed me to find out IL you'd like it
Of your own accord before she
spoke to my father. Because
what she asks of him, she gets.
No argument about it. What do
you say? You have no idea how
beautiful the hills and the gardens
are now
Chickie felt a dazzling about
her; the air suddenly vivid and
sweet. But her throat was dry.
She looked straight before her,
feeling Lee Willman'S eyes lighted,
expectant. She said: II wonder IL
should don't know"
why shouldn't you? I think
you would enjoy 1t. Barbara il
very diverting. You and she might
become great friends. / rather
think that"
They reached the top Of the long
hill-walking slowly. It was
warm. June roses climbing in
bright, scarlet ladders over an
old brown shingled house breathed
perfume upon them. Down the
level block Wilde came bounding.
II would have to take my
friend. you know"
Take him, since he minds his
own business so well. / can phone
Barbara that you'll go?"
I'm not sure-weIl, won't the
morning do?"
He frowned, glancing at her with
moody uncertainty: "All right.
them wonder what the problem
is? Why do you hesitate?"
Chickie laughed: You don't like
opposition. Mr.. Whitman? There
may be many reasons why should
consider"
That night Chickie went over
them. growing excited, walking
ABOUT the room, pulling the old
posters and calendars from the
dusty walls. Resentment burned
darkly in her heart.
Hesitate-yes. But why? Not
long ago she would have Thought
this regular Cinderella adventure
the very merriest thing. Whv,
II Mitchell had come to her and
said. my daughter has been fiji
would you mind Haunting down to
Burlingame and racing about with
her in limousine? Read to her
a little and chat. She wants brieh;
company" II Mitchell had said
that Chickie would have floate('
into the dressing room like a prin.
cess. She would have nut on All
manner Of airs with Janina and
Stella Wilson.
But now she said to herself with
not, young regrets that saw the
splendor of hills, the tumblinp
color Of a thousand gardens: II
can't. No-that's all"
Then she imagined Willman's
impatience when she refused, II
would seem surly, even unkind.
Go Be Continued Tomorrow