The Washington times., 1924-02-09
THE STORY OF CE1ICKIE.
By ELENORE MEHERIN

She loked into her coffee cup.
The sun, now triumphant, made
a little whirling light no its dark
surface. Her eyes blinked. She
tried to speak, but her chin,
doubling up, tricked her into
silence.
He was looking up to her and
waiting, restless, strained sup.
plication on his mouth. He said
hurriedly: Don't look 80, Chtckle.
Don't feel SO bad. I'm only talk
ing. / keep loving you and want.
ing you more and more ana
can't see what difference any
hokus.polxus third party is going
to say over us will maeie. 1t
won't make our love any Fighter.
It can't! It's as right as the
sun--as the river flowing down
here to meet the ocean! It is
to me-"
Seeing the pretty eyes he liked
30 well, shutting, tears spHtter-
ing into her coffee, he moved up
and sat beside her; took the cup
from her hands: 'Chickie. listen;
why so melancholic? Let me
rant little. No sin In that,
Chickie, you dan't know how
sweet you are--how, even sittinS
here near you-oh, well-I can't
help that. Look up-let me see
your eyes-please. You're the
only gtrl-yes, you are--I love
you. ! can't see why shouldn't
can't see why More and his
plans should stop me. You're not
going to cry, Chickie? Don't
But we're funny things, aren't
we? With our little conventions
. stuck up like umbrellas to keep
US dry against the rain OF
another's disproval. Look at
these minnows-how idiotic now
II they should suddenly organize
to make life unbearable for each
other; to put taboo on freedom
ana happiness; to pass a law
ordering minnows not to dart out
or the water at sundown; not to
snatch insects for food: What's
the difference2"
II the world said It was all
right for two sweet, brave things
IKE thee and me to live and love.
you'd feel quite different, wouldn't
you, And this redhead wouldn't
be the black beast, huh?"
'! don't think that, Barry
don't want to think that. Law
awake all last night"
thinking hard things Of ma.
Chickie? Did your"
"No-loving YOU"
lie pressed her hand, turning
his head swiftly from her:
Chickie. listen-I won't trouble
you again. You're too sweet.
that's the troubIe-well-"
He became huoyant, losing the
furious resentments. He poked
up the fire, heated the coffee for
her and taking the cup she had
held. threw out its contents with
a merry: There go the dear
ones tears! Dry 'em!"
Her spirit caught the fervor
OF his. They ran into the water.
ana when they swan he pulled
her down and kissed her, IAN.
other sin for you, frail. Like IT."
They went for a long ride in
the canoe, humping over rapids,
laughing when they were unex.
pectedly dumped into the shallow
pool. And when she felt the
water deepening and threw up
her arms in panic, he grabbed
her hair, dragging her q little,
grinning and teasing. She was
almost In tears because Of the
relief and Joy.
But when IT neared evening
and he wanted to know what
plan she had for the night she
said, not meeting the eagerness
in his eyes: Barry, we've had
such fun today I'm awful
tired. You know. just for a
change, I think I'll go to bed
early"
He said quietly: you are
thinking Of last night. Chickie."
She glanced steadfastly at the
water, stirring up a little whirl.
pool with her bare foot.
"Is that It, CHECKER"
"Well-but isn't it better this
way, Barry?"
You mean that it's safer? II
that it, Chickie? But If you be-
gin to argue in this manner
you'll end by saying we shouldn't
see each other at all. It will
come to that! It will Chickie!
Is that what you want? Do you
want that?"
Go Be Continued MOnday.)
Copyright. 1924. by King Features
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