The Washington times., 1924-04-05


hill tops. The moon was clear
and soft. It seemed to her that
everything was sad.
He went on: Perhaps it is
enough to glimpse the dream,
perhaps we shouldn't try to hold
it. Helen, does it break the
promise that I love you?"
She said gently: "You don't
know me. You don't know me at
all. 1t Is this very dream you
speak Of that you love, and not
me at all"
He laughed: II never had a
dream till you came"
"You were looking for it, You
told me that. Now you imagine
I am the dream"
you are!'
"No-love the picture If you
wish. Don't think of me at all,
I mean this more than you scan
know"
You will not mean it always"
She closed her eyes because of
the fervor> and expectance in his
face. 1t was like a flame. All
her indifference; all 'her, opposi-
ton made It burn the more.
That night he drove her home,
curving through trees, taking the
road slowly. He talked with. care
less ease, pointing out the homes
of this millionaire and that; point
ing out star because it was so
blue and brilliant.
At the door, he looked down
smiling: "Helen-it is something
to have seen the dream. Do you
know that?"
She answered quietly, because
she could no longer bear the
eager worship In his eyes; she
answered: "Oh--I wish you knew
Il do wish that-no-don't hold
me. There-good-night"
In her room she sat long time
rigid. Finally she began to comb
her hair. She said with a hot,
catching breath: II can't keep it
up. I can't! That's all!'
Monday she didn't go to work.
It was the day before the wed.
ding. In the afternoon she took
the train for Riverside. The we'd
ding would be there.
Chickie was given the same
room with it's balcony overlooking
the pool Barbara, dancing with
excitement, ran in for a hurried
moment: "At last, Chickie, darling
you're here! Look, your gown
came and your hat. Gorgeous
aren't they? Oh. I'm just beside
myself. People say a bride ought
to be nervous. I'm not. It's ever
such fun.
what did want to tell you?
Oh, yes! Myra-your partner is
here. IN bring her DOWN"
She whispered in Chickie's ear:
"Myra's good looking--but she'll
fall in a faint when she lamps
your
Myra King was a tall, blonde
girl with high coloring and quick
blue eyes. They had q squirt but
this was somewhat attractive.
Myra was breezy and laxative.
She gave Chickie q long puzzled
glance, saying with a laugh.
We'll, don't I know you, Miss
Bryce?"
Chicl1ie colored. do your"
why, as l came into the room
thought recognized you.
Weren't you at Edith's pageant
last December"
Chickie shook her head.
Funny. isn't it?" Myra
shrugged.
"Some faces are that way. You
could swear you remember them.
Well, we're to be partners. I'm
as nervous as a cat. Are you?
I'll be sure to step out on the
wrong foot. If do, grab me back
and save my life. I'm do the
same for you"
Dinner was an excited, informal
meal. Luis Lamarck was again
Chickie's partner. He was one of
the ushers. Myra sat opposite.
She called across the table: 1T
have it, Miss Bryce. You're q
movie star in disguise. I've seen
you on the silver screen. That's
why could swear I'd met you.
Confessw
mot guilty"
Luis Lamarck, with a bold CLINT
in his eye, answered: 1.-THE lure of
beauty, Miss King. It's universal,
you know. We always feel that
we have seen it berore."
"Ho-your grandmother's rag
bag!" Myra scoffed. Such
speeches at such a moment!
They went into the garden. Il
was not yet z, but the light Of the
August evening was soft, turning
to gold. In all the trees were
lights, like a thousand ralnbows,
They stood in groups, and for
quite a while no one knew Just
what IN An aSsINa - AA
grown very pale-her eyes shone.
Lee whitman came up to
Chickie. He said: After this fool
rehearsal will you wander down
by the broom trees? 1 must see
you-just for a little while. Oh.
swear won't say thing you
don't want to hear. Will you,
Helen, please7"
She said, "All right-but will
you honestly keep the word?"
II will" -
They began the rehearsal-walk.
Ing down path that on either side
massed the pink and white of lit
tie bankssia roses. Myra kept up a
nervous, suppressed whisper, "I'm
doing 1t wrong. How can, you be
so cool, Miss Bryce? You've been
on the stage. I'll swear it. You're
something or other or you'd shake.
Isn't Barbara pale all of a sud
den? She's wild about him, isn't
she? Nice fellow. Have you often
been to San Francisco, Miss
Bryce?"
: Chickie's heart raped, but she
answered, "I used to live there"
You did! Why didn't you say
so! My home. That's where I've
seen you. 1 knew I had. You
must have been at some affairs.
think you get to recognize peo-
pie from the same city. do your"
perhaps" A subtle agitation