The Washington times., 1924-01-12

I'll go with you them"
Walking pensively down the
block Chichie came face to face
with Edward McPike. The young
man grabbed off his hat, saying
stiffly, mice evening, Miss Bryce.
Chickie watched him with g
little chill of dismay. So that was
it. Edward McPike-the young
chemist who worked for the same
wholesale drug company as Mary:
Chickie had met him once ana
Mary had said, He's brilliant. He
has a big future" Chickie had
seen only q quiet, clumsy fellow
with one shoulder q little higher
than the other; his legs too short
for the powerful frame they sup
ported.
And now he was standing at
Mary's door, pulling his coat down,
thrusting a glove nervously in his
pocket. Now the door was open
ing.
Oh-surely Mary wasn't blush
ing and looking all sweet and Gag
or because Of Edward McPike!
Chicltie stood perfectly still-star-
ing at the parlor windows Of the
Blakes. A light commenced to
shine; loneliness went In q pang
through her
There were often nights after
that when Mary couldn't take a
walk: when Mary didn't want to
80 to the movies. And finally
when Jimmy took them to the
Orpheum. Edward McPike came
along.
He and Mary sat together. He
had q way Of looking at Mary
with his eyes intent and childlike
as though he thought her a most
beautiful person. When Mary
looked up to find his eyes like that
q loneliness seemed to awaken like
light in her face as though she
spoke; as though she murmured to
him, "Oh Edward-there's only
you in all the world"
They went afterwards as they
always did and had waffles. When
Edward talked, he balanced a fork
on his fingers, keeping his eyes
down as though he were extreme
~ shy and uncertain Of himself.
But he said sharp, arousing things,
now and then glancing at Mary.
Chickie could almost feel like
warm, elated presences the smiles
stepping forth so proudly from
Mary's lips. They gave her a kind
of sparkling and manifold vitality
Jimmy noticed it, too. When he
held Chickie's coat he whispered.
teasing: Say. throw me look or
two like that. Ready now. ri
give the agonizing stare-pull a
blush"
When the four parted at
Chickie's steps. Edward and Mary
going slowly down the block.
Chickie sighed: "They like each
other, Jimmy?"
He stood at the gate post mus.
ing, 'They sure DOR
Mary seems all thrilled. Humnh
were you ever in love. Jimmv?"
He looked down at her ana
laughed, his black, thick heair
blown straight across his fore.
mead. He kept looking at her
Wltn ha1f q grin on his mouth
until she said. "Well, were your
oh. for the little matter of
AOu1 VI i've years"
Il mean truly"
$50 do l."
You honestly were, Jimmy1"
honestly am, Chickie."
She tossed her head. est
doesn't mean much to a man. /"
He answered extravagantly and
using one Of her own words
"OceanS!"
"Oh, my yes! Oceans-if only
you can have all the waves Won
want in them! 1 think it's sad
Jimmy. that men should be like
that"
Like what?"
He grinned, you've found III
out, already?"
mo, but honestly, Jimmy.
that's true, isn't it? Tell me
isn't it the truth that nine out
or ten Ihen-well, that you Just
can't bet on them?"
There's always the tenth, you
know"
You can't even be sure Of that
Or Of getting the tenth"
Still he laughed: ''Yep. There's
one girl in the world who can be
sure"
''Who?"
my girlr'
Suddenly she was aware Of his
excited face turned to hers; his
quick, sharp breath. He started
to speak, broke off uneasily. He
said with shrug, "Well, don't
think we need worry over Mary"
mo, thank goodnessl Mary
wouldn't dream Of marriage for
years and years"
"She won't? What makes YOU
think that7 Why shouldn't she?''
"oh, Jimmy, of course she
won't. Edward is poor, and dc
you think Mary wants to step
into q hard time like Lucy has?''
But suppose she loves hiFn?"F
Anyway"
Wouldn't you, Chickie?"
Nor
"You would If you loved a
man. You'd want to marry him
even II he was poor"
IT would not! I tell you, jim
my, I would not"
He answered quietly, with none
Of his old teasing lightness, but
his happy eyes all tight again
and black, II tell you that you
will-SSickie. Sooner than you
think"