The Washington times., 1924-01-25

one TO Chtclties and elipptng ner
arm in hers whispered with an
acniting sigh: Enjoying every
little thing? You look excited. You
look rapturous. Youll drive the
poor boy mad. Ah-stlch II life"
Chiclkie ran over to the bureau,
dRahed powder on her nose. on
the bright stain of her cheeks.
She pretended to wash her hands,
letting the cold water run through
her fingers. She wished that
something chill like that would
run through her veins.
Dinner was q most Informal at
fair quick, hilarious half OF the
guests standing half of them sit
fing---shouts across the table;
laughter. Bess and Nance divided
the hon0rs as hostess.
Mrs. Abbott, Janina whispered,
was in the city. In the company
OF her third husband she divided
her time between the Palace ana
this magnificent country domain.
But she made II q point never
to attend the weekend express
sions or her children. She filled
her life within her own demands.
The three girls did likewise.
They had the run of the place.
They crowded It each weekend
with hectic throngD Of girls and
very young men. They dashed
about the country In automobiles.
They danced until the musicians
rebelled.
Strains Of an orchestra came
now In a golden vibrance through
the open doors. Couples rose au.
tomaticalIy from the table, drifted
like figures in q slow dream into
the immense room adjoining.
Cciclie sat next to Barry
Dunno. But she didn't look at
him. She was afraid and treInu-
lous because Of the. disturbing
sweetness vibrant like q living
thing between them.
At her right was Janinas es-
cort--the yellow-haired boy Chickie
had met coming down the steps
Of the studio. He was drinking
in with rapt ardor the murmurs
Of JIlnina's voice. They were OBJ
liviCA1s Of others.
Zach couple was q unit. NO
ore bothered to make the con-
yeraation general: no one bothered
with any introductions. AT the
very end of the table Tia Moore,
serene, beautiful in dress Of pale
green, smiled at Chickie. Barry
saw It and waved his hand.
Lets dance" he said to
Chiclxie. There was q Tilt about
him when he moved-a free, hap
by rhythm. They did a kind OF
pattering fox trot. His arm drew
her close: sad? Why for, sweet
one? Look up, Chickie-come on,
now-giye yopr steady a smile!'
She forced her eyes upward,
saw his cheeks redden, but he
kept LOOKING at her, pursed his
lips, t1unting. Don't do that,
Barr"
wont /! Here's another"
She felt little sparkling waves.
Intoxicating and sweet, breaking
her feet. She was afraid of them;
she was drawn, expectant and
eager. She said, hesitant; you
never answered my question Bar
ry?"
Which one?"
do you think I and that lovely
ia Moore look alke!
IT should say not! Any more
than the yolk Of an egg looks like
the SUM-"
ITS she the sum-"
mot IL 1t shines in my heaven!
Oh. Has good kid. / met her
the summer I finished college.
They have a place at Tahoe. She's
quite brilliant In q way-wants
to write or sing or something.
In my callow youth thought
that very magnificent"
"She's different from the other
girls, then, isn't she?"
Sure she is! Don't know what
she's doing here. Notice the quiet
chap she was with. That's her
fate. She'll marry some ambitious
lad Of forty and push him to the
top Of the heap. Peace to her!"
At that Chickie murmured with
q sudden delight: "Oh, think
her most enchanting"
A troupe of the younger girls
came sauntering and laughing
into the room-radiant and pretty
all of them like a bright sea Of
moving peoples. They drifted past
blowing the smoke behind them,
very superior, wrapped in disdair.
They made their way to the table
in the corner where q huge bowl
Of punch was now established.
1.-THE airs OF these kids" Barry
grinned. Wonder where they'll
be at twenty? Bored to extinction
at sixteen years and two months"
Like an answer came q gay
shout. Nance, the younger twin,
In crimson smOck. knee breaches
and sandals, her bobbed. curled
hair standing out like a nimbus,
breezed down the long room. She
wagged her shoulders impish-
ly, A narrow cheeted young man
with a dropping mouth, large
heavy-lidded eyes followed her,
struggling cynically.
When she spied Chickie, she
caught his hand and ran over,
making gay little bow. How
do you like me? Bizarre, am I
not? Oh, adore the eccentric.
Don't you? Otherwise I'd be go
Ing into a perpetual trance like
Bess and Marge.
"Oh. pardon, my dearl Let me
present Mr.. Bobby Elders" She
whispered excidedly to Chickie,
What do you think Of my sheik?
Isn't he stunning?"
Then aloud like a gracious en-
brace. "Well, we were looking all
over for you and Red just before