The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-25
Y!NG THE STORY OF "CHICKIE," By Elenore Meheriinn

like monster. I could go shoot
myself. -"
"oh. don't-never mind. I see.
You want to go-you want it
ended. =" She moved from
him-kept staring at her folded
hands. A tear fell.
He saw that and looked away,
but then back and saw her dark
lashes glistening. He slowed the
car, stopping it against the trees,
covered her hand: Don't feel so.
You don't want to feel So"
A struggling sound. but half
laugh: "No-but I do. Barry
you want it ended? You want to
leave me3A Do you? Do your"
Even as she spoke, faintness
bore over her. She sank lower,
let her head rest against the
seat, repeating dimly: That's
what YOU want"
''No-no-but IL we can't go on,
Chickie-listen--if we're only
going to be doubling and watch
ing and nagg1ng each other-you
can see-I haven't wanted to
change. ! was happy"
She pressed his hand between
the two Of hers, shutting her
eyes: But now? Barry, now?"
"I don't know. I don't want
other things like that
"Oh, no, no She turned
her cheek against his arm and
for the first time raised her
eyes to his. They shone. They
were living things, pleading. She
said trembling: "No-Barry. can
you forget all that was swee:
between us because of that? oh
can you put from you all the
happier things? And you want
to leave me? Alone? Oh, have
no one-and nothing but you,
now-You know that. Do you
mean that you don't love me?
But IL you did a thousand chame-
full things to me could forgive
them all. would want you
still"
She smiled, but there were
tears in her eyes. It made their
beauty piercing. They hurt him;
they flashed memories at him.
He kissed them-kisslng her lips,
murmuring with impetuous swift
ness: "Oh-forgive Il, Chickie!
Don't be n1ournful about It,. We
don't care"
"Oh, really-and you love me-
love me still"
''Of course"
"And you don't want to leave
met"
"No-not now-No-I don't"
She was mute because Of the
Joy that ran sudden and sharp,
like a dazzling wave, over a
dark pool Of sadness. She laced
her fingers in his. After long
while she said, simply: Barry
never leave me-will you? / can
never let you CO."
His face. blanched. ''No-don't
speak Of 1t, Chiclxie. don't imagine
things-You do that
She laughed; "oh-but I won't
II won't"
She meant this. She was willed
with peace. They would go
back to the glad beginning
into the sun agRin-carefree.
He should not look at her with
dubious, unhappy eyes. but only
to see how dear she was. And
she would never question him
again. She would be blithe,
flippant, pretty as a flower. For
this was the Chiclie he loved.
So she laughed merrily at him
from her window; she met him
gaily in the alley. Even when
he phoned twice that week say
ing he couldn't see her; ne had
to work, she responded breeziIy:
"Tish-work IL We will! AS for
me loaf. Mr.. Redw
Sometimes a stealthy fear kept
creeping about her thoughts,
whispering: Hes not 80 eager.
He's growing moody. You don't
hold him as you did. Notice
that he doesn't tell you how
beautiful you are!' She shut
this down with a contemptuous:
II know it by now, don't I? He's
said it enough. Why bore me
with repetitions?"
She had to say things like
this to herself often. No-she
was not going to keep tab on
his words-noe going to watch
and nag him-make him feel
like an outcast-no-
But there were times when she