The Washington times., 1924-03-01

answered. dL Ill dIIciAPI ~ A"H
place: "Well, now don't
know about that, Mr.. Jake! The
old dog has no lean or hungry
look. l take it he's been well
nourished!'
The little glints darted in his
eyes and over the red, flashing
flesh. my dear, and leaves the
mouth. ''There's much that feels
spirit starved. Know you that?"
$50 it's food for your soul you
crave?" She laughed. But where
does one buy that, Jake, l Won
der?"
THAT'S what one doesn't buy,
Helena. That's what Is given
only given"-
She asked, trembling, but still
with the laugh: 'And does 1t
feed the one who gives or the
one who takes?"
"Both-both, Helena
THAT must be wonderful food.
Jake. Have you ever tasted it?"
He surveyed her with a touch
of sadness, tossed his head. Some
day I'll answer you, my DEAR
1t surprised her that even now
entering the restaurant with him.
noting the fine, kingly air, the
set of his black. proud head, she
could feel glow of pride. And
she shuddered, noting this.
He pushed the trails vase OF
flowers aside, leaning forward
on his folded arms. And he be-
gan to talk vividly-a rich easy
flow of spirits. He'd been east,
south. He'd taken the yacht to
acknowledgement .trip-she should
have been along. Other trips.
though, all summer. How about
tomorrow? No? Next weekend,
then. How about her vacation?
Well-bring Jennie along!
And he reared at that. Chickie
stammered. Finally her excuses
gave out. She stared at him,
white-faced, impIoring: Thanks,
Jake-no- l can't. Really
mot even to show, Helen?
Not even to q dinner-say next
Wednesday,"
He saw her hands clasped be.
fore her, tremble-saw the low
cred eyes close sharply. He leaned
down and whispered: "Chickie,
you take things too much to
heart. You mustn't. It's a sweet
world II you'll just open your
eyes wide and see 1t so. I'm
telling you, my dear! I've given
you time and plenty. Now see
here-let an old dog come wag-
ging along for comfort. won't
your"
She smiled, but she didn't raise
her eyes. And the pale, CHS
seled sweetness. that was in her
mouth ard soft, childlike throat
moved him as 1t always had.
You will, went you. my dear?"
She said uneasily: do l need
comfort, Jake? You think I'm
the damsel in distress. l take
it?"
mo, my dear! You think that.
l think you're the damsel-well,
you'll he angry If 1 say it,
Helena. Yet its true. think
you're the damsel in luck"
She reached for her gloves,
feeling that in another moment
her poise would be completely
gone-feeling all through her a
sobbing faintness. She twisted her
lips to smile: For which kind
words, l thank you and depart,
Mr.. Jake"
mo - you're not offended,
Chickie? Why, my dear"
She interrupted hastily: mot Of.
Tended, Jake-only in a hurry
You don't mean to turn me
down cold, like this, Chickie?
Why I've day all planned. Nice
little ride down the country, nice
little dinner"
You're good to me-" But she
was standing. He took her arm
and followed.
He said hastily: II wouldn't
have said that, Chickie. but
oon,t think you were quite that
somberly. See here-well I'm
going to drive you home, anyway.
Get In" His read. smiling mouth
was pale. He looked at her in
tently: "Chickie. my dear, ask
you to forgive that-please-"
Now she was able TO answer
lightly: What forgive you for
thinking me lucky? Oh, I don't
mind that at all, Jake. Honestly"
only you don't agree? Is that
1t, Chickie?"
We'll. Helena, then, perhaps
I'm wrong but I've seen life
look hard at others and there are
III lucks and sorrows that you
Know nothing about. But there
are joys that can be yours for
the taking-there are the fine,
happy things you can grab. So
Helena, dear-that's lucky. Sup
pose you begin today. Let me
have my plan?"
Oh, some other time, Jake.
You see, promised"
Now look here, Chickie, you're
not going to pull the Jennie gag
on me again, are you? You're
not going to tell me you promised
Jennie you'd help make a cherry
pie, are you? I'll ram it down your
throat. If you do"
Let me off, then, today, Jake
Twill you promise me tomor.
row.
"Maybe-you see." Suddenly
she reached over and touched his
hand. But her eyes filled.
He said: "All right. my dear
Jennie was in the garden as
they drove to the house and
Jonathan was standing at the
door His rugged face was alight
with pleasure. He came down
with the manner Of a lord. ex.
tended his hand, the old ewes
beaming. He said grandly: "A
pleasure, Mr.. Munson-"
And when Jake left, Jonathan
put his arm on Chickie's shoulder.
ne raised her chin in his palms,
chuckling. Fine man, that Mr..
Munson! Fine fellow, Chickie
girl"
She went into the garden, help