The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-06


running her hand through a deli
cate pink cloud Of silk and lace
lingerie, the sheerest and most ex-
pensive offered for half price In
this early May sale.
When Chickie read the ad she
thought with a gay flush: Il
may as well begin to gather
things, carbohydrates the bost
way. It may be real soon."
Now she examined a beautiful
set with little pleats and insects
OF hand embroidered net. Even
at half price it was &25. She
wanted 1t. She had nothing as
lovely as that. Pulses tingled
at her ears. She said to her.
self: Bridal set-it will be the
best one. 1 might as we'll"
But she hesitated and might
have walked out, but an abrupt,
nosey woman picked it from her
hand, saying to the saleswoman:
Another set like this? II you
have, I'll take it." And she
remained at Chickie's side waiting
her decision. Chickie took it.
She had It done in a box-tiS-
sue paper. Tremulous with ex.
element, as though her wed
ding day were the morrow, Rh9
went airily back to work, Tho
purchase engrossed her thought.
"Frightful Extravaganza! What in
the world would Jennie say?
Jennie mustn't know. Hide It,"
She began to wonder IL 1t was
worth the money, ana became so
troubled about 1t that she took
the box and stole to the dressing
room for a swift scrutiny. 1t was
more exquisite than she fancied.
That night she laid it out in
her drawer aOld put little pink
and blue sachet bags about it.
She was just covering 1t carefully
when the door was opened. She
faced about, guilty. It was only
Jonathan.
He came in, his big, clumsy
way, closing the door mysterious
ly. She laughed: "Cutiecomes on
a secret mission? Got some dark
plot afoot?"
He stood at the bureau, run
ming his knuckles back and forth
over the scarf. "Chickie, did you
and Mr.. Munson quarrel?"
"Oh--you goofy old Jonathan,
OF course not!'
Was he angry with you about
ing?"
well. hear that! Don't you
know, Johnny darling, I'm the
girl what kicks the crowns from
the heads of kings and laughs
about 1t? Angry with mel"
why doesn't he come anv
more?"
Shall / arsk him? Shall 7 de-.
mana TO know why he's forsaken
your beautiful darter? Men you
know and the weather like
change-sometimes fair and some.
times dark"
He took her shoulders and
made her face him. "Chickie
GIRL that's not true. Now, he did
a great deal for US and would
not like to feel that you'd been
rude to him. Your mother and
! thought he had very serious
Intentions"
"Oh, you did, did your She
became nervous, laughing a lit
tie high pitched gaiety. "well,
imagine little Jennie getting such
notions. That's not demure,
When I was a girl we wouldn't
dream of such q thing until the
man had flopped to his knees
and said his little piece"
He looked down at her, nod.
ding-sober. "You don't want
your father to know, Chickie?
Is this the way you want to
| treat me?"
She dropped her eyes before
the consuming, kind love of his:
you make it pretty hard for
me. Jonathan. ! can't help it
If he doesn't come, can I? Men
do things like this"
did he never speak for your"
IF you mean did he ask me to
marry him-well. he didn't"
Because you let him see that
you preferred this boy? Was
that the reason, Chickie? You
drove right up here that night
when you knew he was waiting.
was. ashamed of that"
''Oh, didn't know it. Now
don't start in that-that's Just
like you, Jonathan-you want me
to cry about 1t. If he wants to
come. he can; IL he stays away
fish, should worry!
He knew that she wished him
to go; no saw her lips with little
eager movements twisting them.
He put his arm about her shout.
ders, raised her chin upward:
"Chickie girl-what can Barry
do for you? He's a nice boy
but your old Dad right now can
make things sweeter. II you're
tired of working-why don't you
stay home awhile? Your mother
spoke Of it. She's not as young
as she was. Fine to have our
Chickie around all day."
I'm not tired-at ALL like to
work. have lots Of fun at it.
What are you getting so solemn
about? Don't you want me to have
any friends?"
Jonathan only knew that this
sweet, fairy thing with her bright
head against his shoulder was his
life: only knew that he could beat
the path smoother for her with
his bare hands. And he SAVIOR
thought he saw--that she was
running into a road of thorns and
jagged stones. He said heavily:
II want you to he wise, Chickie.
You've never had to do without.
You've always had 1t pleasant and
easy. Have you ever thought Of
that?"
She twined his mustache in her
fingers, kissing his. rough cheeks.
Don't worry, Cutie" Little lamb
is safe! Going to stick right here
with Jonathan many a long, long
day"