The Washington times., 1924-04-28

kindness in you-it's just the
gfeatnessr'
IT'S the want Of you, Chickie,
and nothing else. Do you think
I'm a boy and T DONE know what
I want? I've had time enough,
God knows. I've watched you
and hungered, wanting you more
NOW wait, my dear" he
reached over and drew her hands.
"Wait-this is the first time your
friend Jake ever spoke OF mar
She smiled with an attempt at
lightness: Then you better stop.
Mr.. Jake, because 1t would be
sad If the first time should also
be the Last" her voice broke
"Oh--Let us go on as we were.
Wasn't 1t very pleasant? oh. it's
better-t's the only thing for
me-"
why do you say that?"
Because things in me are
dead de- 70 not that I'm I'M
Nothing In you is dead, FIel-
ena, dear. Life is too strong to
go down with one little blow.
You are living enough for me.
You are dear enough. So. that's
that. Why in a few months you
will forget you ever grieved. I
had an idea, Chickie, that we'd
take long trip-Europe, per-
haps. You've never been there
new sights-a new environment
broadening out of all those preju-
dices of yours. Wouldn't you like
that? Speak the truth, Helena?"
You mean Europe"
II mean Europe and Jake-the
two OF them, 80 -" "s' ~
She raised her hand stealthily
and wiped her eyes,.
You're not crying, Chickie?
Now listen-why should you:"
IT don't know. Everything
guess. 49,. And I'm thinking this,
Jake-you may love me-oh, l
think you do-no one could be so
magnificent otherwise, but under
meath you can't really want to
change. Why, Jake, and you
made such fun Of Nicky--oh, you
are one to be free-always. You
don't know what you offer! You
can't ."
He gave a humming exultant
laugh and a mockery was In his
eyes: Underneath didn't want
to change. Who told you that?
But I am changed. The beaten
ways have lost their zest and
that's what one Helena Bryce
did to me. f-'..."
Wont you let me talk, Helena?
OF course, I'm one Of the free-L
have been free and blessed each
day Of it. They were rich and
full may have regrets, but ]
don't know where they are. But
I'm telling you the honest to God
truth-this freedom weighs now
nike ton-like 100 rusty chains.
l want to be rid Of it. For 1t
keeps pulling me in old. worn
out paths, and all the flowers are
trampled.
Helena, I ask you most po.
litely, won't you take off the
chains and let me start on a new
road? Why-that would be a fine
adventure. Why, it would be
gallant thing to know that my
own white darling wanted me
and waited for me. Ia like that
mighty we'll"
She turned her hands in his
She looked up, pleading. "Why
do you call me that name, Jake?
It makes me want to cry
"Chiekie! Why-do you mean
that? But l will call it to you l
will shout it to you. You are
that-you are better and finer
than you ever were. Now, don't
try to put me in a hole, my dear.
I'll teach you better way to look
at things-much better. You are
what you are and am what I
am because of all that is past
bad and good together. Don't you
know that? If you like me now,
you are liking the result of all
my high days and my low days
And I love you for all that YOU
are. Helena, some time ago
wouldn't have really wanted to
marry you. I would have known
that would tire"
."Now-you think you won't,
Jake?" She laughed. Jake, do
you think that you'll like slippers
at fire and some one running
out to say, Take your rubbers!
You better wear a coat?'"
Are you. going to say it to me,
Helena? 1t will be a new sound
in my ears. tell you I've stepped
with the best of them. I've gone
out seeking and come in with nv
heart and hands filled. These
steps don't ring as they used to.
I've always loved what cost me
high; I've always wanted what no
one else could buy. But do you
know, Helena, you made ME coin
q new mintage-yes, you really
did
"Oh, come now-what do Won
say-an old dog-I know the way
! want to CO."
(TO Be Continued Tomorrow