The Washington times., 1924-04-04
lContinued from Yesterday.l

Chickie laughed; You are in
AN evil mood todagI fear. Why
pick on me If grab off a long
breath now and then2"
= He said, the color In his face
quickeped and the boyish light In
his eyes: "Well-have your vows
against us all, Helena. But there
/; are a thousand things to see here
and I'm going to be your guide.
You cant object to: that. can
yQu?l Why refuse a flower to ME
when you are so free with them
to others? MY need In greater"
Chickie recalled with. a pang
Jake's advice: Face life freely,
just as you did before" How
could she do that? She sank down
against the cushions, managed to
smile: II was bringing those
flowers to an old, old man, Mr..
Whitman" ~ s'ttas' $50 $500
Count me as old as Methuselah
then and hand me the bouquet.
Listen, Helena. 1t can't interfere
any with you, can IL? You can
dismiss me without, q moments
notice. promise to bear no
grudge. But we are to be
friends. I'd love to take you
aronHd--I know the South Well.
She said softly, as one. van;
pushed: ''I have told yoN" r
II know and eagerly: 1'H
agreed, didn't L2. ~.
They stopped before an. i'm.
pressive house of white stone set
In the midst of a. great garden
very orderly. in the front but at
the rear widening in exuberant
splashes of color that scrambled
up slopes and were lost in the
cool green Of shrubs and trees. >
Chiclxie's breath caught with ex.
element. Barbara expects me?
Are you sure" !.
"Well-you're not going to rum
off on me now, are your"
She laughed: mo! / Just adore
visiting houses and gardens like
this ~ ~
She was in a trenble Of Curl
osity. Whitman led the way along
a. side path. They entered the
conservatory. To the right Of
this was long secluded room.
finished In dark woods. It had
an air Of peace and twilight. a
breath Of something holy rs In q
quiet chapel. : There were dim
blue tapestries and murals with
poetic figures moving in sub
dued and yellowiTag light.
81 Chickie thought 1t beautiful, yet
sad. She said this. whitman
smiled. But you like it? I'm
doing this wing OF the house over
i have fancy for decorating"
"Oh-so that's your talent?"
He shrugged: Enough talent
to make me uncomfortable; not
enough to make me achieve"
But this room seems alive.
Lovely, 1t seems to me-"
He said slowly with his head
turned from her: at should be.
I was expressing here the most
beautiful thing know-the most
beautiful. Some day am going
to tell. you what that is-some
day I am going to learn why Il
should be sad"
Chickie answered vaguely, but
with her heart humping: Are
you2," 49, go.
his hand reached ont suddenly,
touching hers like a plea.
She was filled with uneasiness
Then Barbara sparkling with en-
thusiasm claimed her-talSing her
off to show the wondrous things
Of her trousseau, even then she
was absent.minded. She thought
with dread: ''He thinks he loves
me--ohi'
Barbara said: lee told you.
Chickie? You won't refuse-will
your"
Chiclie said: ''I can't do other.
wise. You can see that"
She shook her head with a
flash: IT can't see It! What's
more I won't. Lee and ! went
over every bit Of it-and it's lust
going to be. We want you"
Chickie smiled. She picked up
nightgown, Of lavender silk, en-
broidered on. net---flimsy as a
c0bweb. It gave her a thrill
touching It. There were dozens,
one more delicate than 4the other.
She said: How il Paul?p
Barbara closed her eyes: "a
dream!" She began TO tell Cllicl1ie
Of the wedding plans. It was to
be in less than month. Edith
was to be matron of honors Well
Barbara didn't mind as long as
she insisted on It. There would
be- six bridesmaids-and it was
to- be, rainbow affair-zaIl color.
Chickie should wear blue or rose
or palest green. Which did she
choose? She could say first
They were DISCUSSING this.
Edith came In. She said with a,
gracious languor: "How are YOU,
Miss Bryce? Here, Babsie dear
II have the precious box for you,
Look at it." Ill. ark :.
1T was the wedding veil-pearl
coIored lace. It fell over: Bar
bara's hands shimmering and
soft las sea spray. Barbara,s
eyes glowed. { -, &s.a~. n.
Edith smiled: Five. years ,sinca
! wore It. I went over your list,
Babsie--* 49, y 80
please call me Barbara. I'm
suspicious. Edith. ole dear, when
You get affectionate!' 4.
The bright, high laugh: We've
decided, Babsie, dear, that four
bridesmaids Is enough. !. You see.
Anita won't be here. I learned
that today. She's going East.
Weh--you'll have to do with Myra
and Janette; Vera and Lucille
makes 1t nice--two dark and two
fair"
The wedding ven dropped sharp
ly from Barbara's hands. Her
eyes eieaped She said, in a voice
throttled with hurt and fury: TITS
my wedding. Edith! I'll chooDe