The Washington times., 1924-01-11

Janina had received a wide,
even a brilliant education. She
spoke, beside her own tongue,
French, German and Russian.
She read extensively. Yet, for
all this, she remained intensely
primitive and crude.
Janina was q free soul-modern
to her finger tips. She boasted
that her past went back to the
Garden of Eden.
Sitting on the window ledge,
smoking cigarette, she was ac-
customed to say: "As you know,
Eve was the first feminist, the
first rebel, a Scouter of tradl-
ton, mocker of double stand
ards. You will recall that the
first lady Of the land was elected
from Paradise for disorderly con-
duct. All honor to Eve! Fruit
hung In the garden; she ate it.
And l likewise, Mother Eve!"
This was one of here faVorite
speeches
Chickie, bursting with vivid
curiosity, told all this to Mary,
adding many a "Janina says this;
JdIIIIId Sdyo lhol1 S0AAAAA "c~So SSAA-
ing US"
Mary drank in this wisdom
hungrIly. They weighed, with
hushed, excited -wonderment, the
worth of Janina's philosophy.
They discussed this matter of
popularity with a hot intensity
as though it were the one pur-
pose for which they were born.
AS financiers reckon the worth of
other men by their money pile,
Mary and Chickie classed their
associates according to the num-
ber and brilliance Of their mas
culine followers.
Once Chickie even told Jimmy
all about Janina. Jimmy came
over most every night. Often
he would go into the kitchen
and lift the covers off the pots.
If he Nliked what little Jennie
was cooking better than the din
ner waiting on his mothers stove.
he would get out a knife and
fork and sit down to the table
with them. Jonathan thought the
world of Jimmy.
Now that Chickie was working,
he used to wait for her at the
corner. They walked up the
block together.
This night Chickie had her gold
hair drawn into a big psyche on
the top of her head with two
green swords.
She did it to be fancy. she told
Jonathan when he roared at her.
It made her small, sweet chin
very pointed-her eyes enormous.
Jimmy sat on the wicker daVen-
port staring at her.
Chickie stretched her neck
slowly, aren't 1 the most gorge
GUS looking girl on earth, Jimmy
darling?"
Sure you are! You always
were"
"And 1 so poor and proud and
pure I'm like to die of loneliness"
Jimmy's eyes narrowed. Then
he laughed, "Well, where'd you
get that"
Chickie shrugged. well
Janina knows"
All unsuspecting she breezed
forth with Janina's hard wisdom
even told him one OF Janina's 8
caustic formulas for winning and
holding the truant male in leash.
When she began, he teased her.
but as she went on Jimmy's face
hardened. Look here, Chickie-
you don't want to listen to that
-
"But Jimmy, a girl has as
much right, hasn't She"
"Hell-"
Chickie laughed: "Of course! I
suppose you've never kissed a
girl-oh, no.!
He caught her by the should
ers. His eyes were all tight and
black. Look here. ChicEie, well.
let me tell you, the man doesn't
live that's worth your even think
ing things like this-why-say-"
Chickie laughed because his
mouth trembled and got white.
She ran her fingers through his
hair. whispering, Darling old
Jimmy" as though he were her
grandfather, darling old Jimmy
don't you worry"
The next afternoon she worked
late. Harry Lewis, the nice, milo
looking fellow, the head Of her de-
partment, stopped at her desk
"Still at it, Miss Bryce? Say
been to the Curran this week?
Suppose we go Saturday."
"Why-" Chickie hesitated-
"Oh, all right"
She was breathing quick with
excitement when she went. to the
dressing room.
She didn't see Janina until ia
nina said: "Oh, so Harry's fallen
Good luck, baby! You're on your
way, nowv'