The Washington times., 1924-01-15
CHAPTER XII.
Two Men.


1t began happily--a bright river
of Joy tapping at her feet.
In the limousine she sat in
front with Jake Munson. He
greeted her exuberantly: 80 we
have little Rachel with us. after
all. We woo her seven years and
at last we get a smile His
laugh came deeply. as from .
joyous spring within. She could
see the flash OF white, even teeth.
Al they sped through the park
the slender trees sprang open.
making q sharp white road. swept
oy the moon. Out and out-Silver
FOAM on the waters-lights like
stars
Beauty and luxury---she sank
down in the soft cushions. She
closed her eyes happily, thinking:
7 hope it's Tait's." She had
never been there.
They swerved into an enchant-
cd garden. They stepped into the
glowing heart Of color and music,
Ch1ckie held back a sigh of rap
ture. Her eyes passed with an
exquisite thrill from the warm
hangtngs and the lamps to the
wide stairways; from this to the
careless, brilliant forms swaying
in the dance. Life-charming and
beautiful. just az she had
They waited as the men checked
their hats. Besides Janina there
was another girl, tall, tailor made.
with q clean, brushed back look,
This was Ida LarRin. She wore
black spangles, cut severe, queen
ly. On each forefinger she had
an immense ring of black ONYX.
Very otherwise. Chickie thought
It."
Janina, too, was In black. with
daring orange feather caught in
the gtrdle below the waist. Strik-
tng-too brilliant and intelligent
Janina looked tonight. She
touched Chickie lightly on the
arm-ran her fingers over Chick
les skin:
"Well-glad you're here?"
'Oh love itr'
OF course. New dress. Look
angelic. All dolled even to the
shoes. Huh-all alike, aren't wei
All slaves when fellow like Jake
snaps his fingersr'
Chick1e's eyes kept up their
smile; her lips parted. She was
afraid to speak-afraid Of the
tickling at her throat. Janina
laughed-soft, biting. She said
with her eyes mocking: "I'u say
they're worth it,,
The men were coming over.
Jake was smiling-at her. He
lowered over the others. IDA
Lark1n'S husbands slight. very
natty man, and the ,other-dumpy.
rotund little fellow with merry
eyes, red face. half bald, They
called him ''Nicky." Everyone
was very affectionate to Nicky.
In return he dispensed favors and
smiles without discrimination,
Nicky, as 1t happened was ono
OF those agreeable, sociable old
bachelors who fight shy OF mar.
r1age all their lives-more per-
Eistently than other men-and in
escaping capture by one woman,
they are used. abused, petted and
laughed at by all the rest. He
went waggfng along now at the
side Of Jake.
Chiclie wondered If he was to
be her partner. Old fellow Of
forty. She felt a little twinge Of
contempt. Then Jake offered his
arm. He bent his head, giving
a low sound, half laugh, half
challenge. Nov for fun and
frolic!"
She remembered the song from
the Merry Widow" She had seen
the play. This Jack Munson.
with his magnificent presence, his
vital animal Joy in life, re-
minded her Of the prince.
As they entered the dining
room the comparison became
vivid. He walked in like a king,
head thrown back, black ewes and
scarlet lips all flashing. He was
greeted like king. At half a
dozen tables the faces Of women
lighted up; men bowed as though
proud to be acknowledged by this
great, splendid fellow.
Chickie's pulse beat rapidlv
with elation. She forgot Janina
and her mean, degrading taunt.
She walked through an atmos
phere that glittered; drew in
breaths that sparkled. She felt
herself charged as though electric
shocks were mildly and brightly
darting through her.
$50 your name in Chickie?"
Munson, holding her chair, gave
her q pleased. happy look al
though she belonged to him and
he wished everyone in the room
to know It.
mo! My name is Helen, IT'S
only my father and people IKE
that who call me 'Chickie,'"
Then count me ono Of the
people like that will youf"
But they've all known mo a
long. long time"
"We'n know each other a long
time. I promise you--longer than
that"
Janina, sitting at Jake's left
leaned forward, pushing a small
cup toward him. "Ffll It, Jake,
but don't promise rashly, Chickie
is young and innocent, She'll be-
lieve you, Remember new violets
every year, Jake"
He gave her a quick, mecking
glance, poured clear, golden
liquor into her little cup. But
he looked full at Chickie. saying,
with his red lips laughing, 1--WE
drink to the one that is bloom
ing tonight
He took sip-passed the cup
to Chickie, Janina's eyes flashed
with a tense, hard eagerness.
She watched and smiled.
Chickie raised, tie emphasized
a sweet, velvet pungencei felt it
go with soft, delightful fire
through her.
Now" said Jake, ''we1I
dance"
She giided through the rhythm,
GnlY.Knriaad nh thu mild h,-inrhA-...