The Washington times., 1924-01-14
CHAPTER X.
JAl1OS Invitation.

Janina. 1 think can arrange
my own"
who said anything about q
match, little one? Matches are
out Of date in this day and age.
Time was when q girl went un-
der the yoke, now she jumps
over the barsr'
1T hope you land on your feet,
Janina, and not In the ditch"
Janina gave q little singing
laugh:
"Ah-haha-my pretty one grows
baby-but more about that anon!
What are you doing tonight?"
Nothing much"
mo? wen, you're going to be
doing the biggest thing you've
ever done in your Mfe." Janina's
vivid face sharpened. Happen to
remember a rather good looking
fellow / introduced you to some
months ago-feilow named Jake7"
Chickie shot a quick, excited
glance at Janina's face. Jake
Munson? Did she remember that
flashing, kingly presence moving
toward her in Montgomery street
stopping with that delightful
smile?
She said, holding down her
ea9erneSs: What about IT."
Jake's giving q little party to-
night. He has q notion that a
shrinking violet In his buttonhoIe
would be 80 fetcling" Janina's
tone curied upward mockingly.
He wants you to come"
Chickie stood at the window
looking far out to the tranquil
blue Of the waters. She waa sud
denly hot and trembling. She felt
Janina fearfully-like an animal
In the small room-like a panther
straining at some invisible leash.
She said slowly, why are you
asking me, Janina?'
As she said It, she was poig-
nantly aware Of Janina's hands,
soft, incredibly white, turned back
sensuOusly at the finger tips.
They were clenched now. Little
streaka of red moved upward
slowly on either side Of Janina's
throat.
She seemed frightened by some
invisible spring. She backed to
the door. fastened both hands on
the knob.
Jake wants to meet you and
he will. He's been after me for
months. You might az well come
tonight. It's going to be sweet
and pure. Wen get you home
by ten thirty"
II don't know-well. it's kind
in you, Janina, but"
Janina put her arm with a
quick impulse in Chickie's. "Yes,
come. You might Just as we'll
because Jake will meet you some
how. Besides, I think I'll have a
surprise for you-a good one.
Wen call for you around seven
thirty"
IT don't think, Janina-"
That's right. Don't think!
You've been a fool long enough!
This is a children's party Jake's
giving tonight. There'll be chap
erones along-how's that for one
who loves antiqueS7"
Then softly in Chickle's ear:
But don't pun the frigid stuff
too strong, baby. Leave the ice
for mothers cottage pudding?"
Keep your advice. Janina! I
may not"
Don't stall, Chiclkiel You know
you're thrilled speechless-you
know you are planning already
what you1l wear There'll
only be six or seven-a little
dance. We may even go to the
Palace"
"Ob, we'll
You're onv',
Chickie answered slowly: II
suppose 1t will be fun-all right"
Immediately she was In
quiver-hot, uncertain. Perhaps
she shouldn't-
But she left the office In q
hurry. Saturday afternoon. She
would wear the new maroon crepe
dress. She would rush out now
and buy a pair Of slippers.
When the clerk brought out
black satin pumps with little
straps going off oddly at the side,
she grew excited. wonderful
how stunning she would look.
She was to. meet Mary at two
O'Clock. Mary wanted q suit
an Inexpensive one to tide her
over till the baby was q little
older-till she was thin again.
There was half an hour to
wait. She went reStlessly through
the shops, stopping abruptly at
a hosiery counter-beautiful,
sheer things Of chiffon
The salesgirl showed her q
pair. Just what she needed to
complete her outfit. She was
afraid to ask the price. The
girl ran her hand through them:
LOVELY weave, isn't It? Five
and a half"
Chickie opened her purse:
"I'M take them"
The package felt like a sin in.
her hands. She thought with
panic, why did I do tnat?"
Feverishly her thought ran
hack to JaninA. She stood still
IN the middle Of the street, say
ing almost aloud, why did Aha
ask met"
Chickie knew that Janina was
in love with Jake Munson-piti.
fully in love with him. Why
ahould she ask another to the
party? She remembered the day
Jake had stopped her for a chat
remembered the kind rich look
IN why Thy notI why shouldn't she
20?
BY the time she inst Mary
her eyes were slowing. Mary
looked at her with q little touch
az envy: Heavens, Chicl1ie, you
ret thinner every day. Look
,,an E0rnAtiunaa coffId rr&,