The Washington times., 1924-02-19
THE STORY OF CHICKIE
By ELENORE MEHERIN


Continued from Yesterday.
She grew flushed and warm in
this remembered joy. She won.
dered 4 he, too, were thinking.
Oh-she wished he would say q
word to show 1t. She wanted to
ask: "Barry-next year-well, do
you think we may be riding here
and happier?" But no-not that
--as though she were afraid
Suddenly he stopped the. car,
slumped down In the seat, Pulling
her to him with q buoyant:
.. Hello S dear =, Az much as last
more but do you? That's the
important thing
"Why--"
tits always the man-always
who ceases"
He laughed:. IT think that's be-
cause the wim1nin wish it on US.
Don't"
"oh-1,rn not going to! I'VE
made up my mind for that.
BarryL think could fight
the world tonight"
Tomorrow, to07's
ANY day-every day. 81
And she was sure Of It. It 10
20 easy to meet the world and con-
Quer It in these piercing moments
OF sublime strength: to fling It
from US with q careless sweep Of
thought. But the world coming
with its hosts OF drab, hectorihg
monotonies IL q different foe to
vanQuish.
Coming home early one after
noon the following week, Chickie
noticed as soon as she stepped
into her room the faint, refresh
ing odor Of lavender. In an ex-
element she dashed over to her
bureau, opened the drawer where
the treasured bridal set was hid
den. Here, too, were all his
letters.
In the bottom Of the drawer
was a thin pad Of pale pink
sateen. It was filled with laven-
der. Jennie had done this. Yes
to surprise her. Jennie had seen
the exquisite things tucked so
zealously from the mild eyes.
A letter lay open. It seemed
to her, glancing ct It then that
the words stood out-blaZoned---
written In fire ''Chickie, dear,
don't let It press you down.
Don't let the thoughts Of others
shame 1t. Remember that wave
flashing, magnificent sweeping
over the rock? Think OF 1t like
that"
Had Jennie read that? Oh, no!
she wouldn't. But then-why 1t
may have stared at her as 1t did
now
Chiclde knelt on the floor shak-
ing-a hand Of flame Tightening
on her heart.
Some one pattering across the
room-Jennie. Shy, uncertain, SIT
ting on. the edge OF the bed, clasp
ing the plump hands over the
starched white apron. The mild
blue eyes narrowed and anxious.
Oh-that must mean that Jennie
knew! Chiclxie was afraid to
turn-afraid to say the slightest
word-afraid to glance at her
mother-little Jennie.
And all her fears went now like
mad things, biting through her.
CHAPTER LXVI.
SECURITY
The moments passed with hot.
leaden feet. Jennie knew what
she had done! Oh, she was sure
of it. She could feel her mothers
eyes-feel her own blood going in
a red burn up to her temples.
Then Jennie spoke. You're
angry, Chickie? Why. you love
sweet lavender
Chickie burst out laughing.
shrill high. "Oh, you funny little
thing, Jennie, darling! Angry
well" and she pulled up the
pad and pressed 1t against her
face, almost mad with relief.
Know? Why, Jennie hadn't the
remotest idea!
She went over and ran her hand
along the plump neck, took out
the amber comb and tucked up
Jennie's stray locks She pressed
her soft cheek against her mothers
whispering: Mother, you love
me, don't you. Even so much?"
"why, you foolish girl" But
the ready tears were in Jennie's
eyes.
AS soon as Chickie was alone
she gathered all his letters, tied
them, packed them in box, writ
ing in big letters on the covers:
Jennie or Jonathan: Burn this,
as is, please!
:By order Of your darling,
"CHICKIE."
It occurred to her this was an
odd thing to do, but she couldn't
bring herself to part with them
not now.
She called to Jennie that she
was going for a walk. She went
UP to the top of Dolores street,
looking out over the railroad cross
ing and further southwark to the
Mission bay. Blue clouds, shot
with rose and emerald. drifted
over the bare Potrero hills. A
sense of loneliness possessed her.
She was trembling. So foolish,
all this-she imagined things-let
her imagination run crazy with
her. Barry said that. She was
always doing it.
Suddenly she remembered what
he said the first night he came
home: "Brave-we've got to be.
Otherwise the thing will get US.
It will be a wall Of reproaches
and resentments Wen build be
tween US"
She was doing that; had been
doing It: fastening on little things,
fearing them-exaggerating them.
She was a coward; not big; not
free. Oh-she would wear him