The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-01-26
! CHAPTER XXXIII.
! JAKE'S RETURN.

CHAPTER XKXIII.
JAKE'S RETURN.
1t was for Jonathan that Chickie
went to Jake. She had no
thought Of drawing dark thread
to complicate the gray pattern
on her life.
Jonathan had come to q bitter
pass. Night after night for weeks
he sat at the table, his head rest
ing heavily ON his hands. He
shrugged impatiently when Jennie
told him he was tired-he must
rest.
She made the desserts he liked,
patted his shoulder. He scarcely
noticed. Sometimes he got up
abruptly and left the table.
Jennie dabbed her wet checks
"Your father is getting old,
Chiclxie. He won't last"
"Mother-oh, don't say that!
He's only working too hard"
Jennie shook her head mourn
fully. mo. He's losing heart.
Chickie. you won't have your
father always"
Chicxie's lips began to trem-
BILE: "Oh, mother, why are you
talking like this? Oh, it's terrible?"
Jennie brushed 1.-The crumbs
from the table to her plate. She
kept nodding, immense tears run
ming into her eye@
AsN Chiclxie went through the
hall an hour later Jonathan push
ed her into her room, closed the
door in a hushed, guarding way.
He put his fingers to his lips.
He said distantly: "Mr. Munson
doesn't come any more"
Hes been away. Don't you
remember?"
"Oh, he's away" Jonathan's
tone dropped flat, colorless. "And
he's not likely to come back
soon?"
"why-why, Jonathan, what
makes you ask?"
He fidgeted with his mustache.
numbering like a schoolboy:
Nothing much. wanted his ad-
vice. He didn't think much of
my OIL investment" His big hands
were shaking.
"Jonathan! You put more into
It? After all he told your"
He drew himself up ruggedly-
giant that he was. Hush,
Chickie! I don't want Jennie to
know"
'...uQ- mhmhrfdwylb m
He told her gauntly. His stock
had been assessed first for $50,
then for 1928. He had paid these.
Now there was a third levy for
$3.50. In two days he. must meet
1t or lose the $1,375 already in
vested. He admitted this was the
amount of his speculation.
He said, fumbling. "Mr. Munson
might tell me what to do
Hell tell you not to pay an
other centv'
mo" 1t rang out grim. fight,
ing. They'll not do me up! I'll
pay! I'll not be frozen out! Why,
Chickie, they've got the oil, and
they want to get us little fellows
out, and TIL stickr'
Gradually he admitted that he
had mortgaged the cottage, he
was heavily in debt, he didn't
know where to turn. He had no
idea where the money must come
from, but pay he would.
He stood at the bureau, leaning
heavily on his great fists. He had
white, broken look that caught
her heart achingly. She went
over and pulled his head down,
laying her soft cheek on his.
Jonathan, listen, darling, don't
look 50. Got me, anyway"
His lips were cold. He said.
turning from her, You'll ASK
him, then, Chickie? You'll see
him tomorrow"
The next morning and at noon
Chickie walked down the block
where Jake had his offices. She
loitered near the entrance Of the
building, hoping to encounter him
by chance. After lunch she went
UP through the corridors, passing
his door again and again. She
kept thinking Of Janina's taunt,
"A wise boy he is with the ladies.
Now you'll run after him." Jake
would think that, too"
She hurried back to work, hot
with uneasiness. But in the after
noon Jonathan's harried face. the
aged, desperate anxiety in his
eyes, was an aching burn in her
thoughts. He asked her to do
this. He asked her to help him.
At a quarter of five she went
into the dressing.room, washed
her face and hands. 2 Her eyes
were bright with excitement: they
cleaned with little amber lights.
Let Jake think what he would!
Very carefully she rouged her
lips-put a touch OF color on her
cheeks. She was going to see
him--now.
She had tant. alarmed sensa.
ton, as though she were doing a
crucial thing When the girl at
the typewriter desk stared at her
quietly and asked her name the
blood leaped into her face. She
mad almost said "Chickie."
Her nervousness heightened to
pain as the girl announced me-
tallically: "A Miss Bryce IL here,
Is Mr., Munson INF"
She was ushered Immediately
into a great room. She heard a
soft, exultant laugh, Jake tower.
ing over her. flashing with pleas
ure: "Chickie! You read NV
thoughts, did you? Here I've been
sitting for the last hour thinking
of one Helena Bryce. And the
dear girl comes to see me. Bless
herr
without looking up Chickie said
in a strained, protesting tone.
well. you see. had to come"
BLESS you, you dear"
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