The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-21

Jimmy? Was Jimmy reading
it? She fancied his face grow
white; fancied him striking his
fist against the table; his heart
turned cold
Oh, blessed release to rush away
from that; escape the murmurs
and the questions. They sped
along. Never return. Go on
and on. No crueler thing could
happen now. Walk through that
town and let them all come out
and fling their stones. She might
even turn pathetically and smile,
feeling no added bruise. No add
ed hurt could reach her now.
So she thought and listened,
uncaring to the loquacious com.
fort the sheriff kept turning to
offer. Fine morning, Mr.. Bryce.
We're making good time. Be
there in another hour. Nothing
to worry about. Just a mixup
between that there new doctor
and the coroner. Emerson's got
the highland in the town and
Larry Milford don't like it. The
girls bound to come out of it all
right"
They swept through the noun
tain pass. The hills rolled down
to the chaliced fields, so green
now with spring running from
slope to slope in merry slippers
Of blue and gold.
Chickie caught the flashing col.
or-suddenly she was remember
ing. Oh, often they had gathered
the deep yellow peoples, raced
like children after purple lilacs
Often she had seen his head
raise, his profile etched in glory.
How her heart had flushed in its
eager love!
He was in the city. She hadn't
thought Of that. And had he, too.
read Of this? He also knew she
was a marked and beaten thing.
She put her hand upward and
hid from Jonathan the doubling
of her chin. She wondered how
the thought Of him could twist
her now.
But it did. And terribly a little
later.
The inquest was set for half
past 2. They reached the town
at 12-stole in SO quietly that
only the clerk at the hotel and
two or three loungers sitting on
the rail Of the porch knew who
had come. The sheriff got
room for them.
Jonathan placed her in a chair.
In a clumsy way he pulled down
the understanding the light
from, the oak bed, the red and
blue mating on the floor. He
said Just you sit here, Chickie
girl. I'll have some lunch brought
up. Won't be long"
The door had scarcely closed. 1t
opened. Chickie didn't stir until
a strange voice said az beg your
pardon" A man stepped to her
side, handed her a note.
She let 1t lie in her hands.
"I'll wait for an answer"
! Mechanically she opened t..
She read this: Chickie, see me for
a moment. want to say
word. I'm waiting near. You
have several hours. Give me just
a moment. Chickie, don't refuse
this. Don't make me do more
harm than I've done already.
She folded. the bit of paper in
a measured and aching slowness.
She fought to keep her lips quite
still. For they were feeling again
that kiss, so light, so crushing in
its bitter humiliation; the kiss he
had given her the night she had
come to him pleading-when she
asked, do you mean that you
will marry me?'
But no-he hadn't meant that
She forgot the man waiting
there. He said: There is an
answer"
She shook her head.
"Will you come with me? It's
not far"
She repeated, wondering: "Ho-
go with you?"
you would feel sorry for
him"
"Ho-yes-" She clasped her
hands, twisting the pale fingers.
The man shifted uneasily.
y Finally he asked: Have you
counsel for this afternoon?"
She repeated DULY, For this
afternOon-why do you ask these
things Of me? Ho-there is no
answer. None" She got up and
faced him-rocking a lfetle, but
smiling. Twill you go? Kindly
go" Her cheeks were blood.
less-whiter than her lips.
The man said hurriedly: Par.
don mel beg your pardon. Have
you given his name
Her hand reached out. "Ho-oh
ho-I see-oh-" She caught the
chair-steadied herself.
The man left then. Chickie
stood there swaying, repeating in
a soft, broken Witness, "Ho-his
name-ho-"
His name-she wouldn't have
spoken 1t to save her soul from
doom. She couldn't have forced
her lips to bring the sound
Yet it added to her shame: it
left no slightest beauty even in
q memory. 1t added to the lone
liness.
So that when Jonathan came
and tried to make her eat, she
half wondered that even Jonathan
should care.
Oh-but he did. He drew her to
him, raised her face as he had in
other times when it's beauty was
MS JOY. He raised It, saying:
Chlckie girl. remember, want you
to stand up there this afternoon
proud now, my girl. 1 want you to
be brave. No tears-not one"
She pulled her face away. She
said: "Yes-oh my, yes!
But he kept whispering things
like that as thew drove thro,,oh The