The Washington times., 1924-03-08

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A light upstairs. Suppose 1t was
in Sarah's room? Suppose Sarah
should look out and see her fal.
tering there against the gate?
Suppose Sarah should glance into
her mind and see its terror and
its shame
She hurried. 1t seemed to her
that she was running into
bleakness, and there were no
lights, not even one single star.
She turned sharply at the cor
ner. Some one caught her arm.
She cried out softly, but in ter
rible alarm.
1t was he, Barry, and he said:
For the love of God, Chickie-
for the love of God"
where were you? God, isn't
1t hideous enough"
She tried to break. from him.
"Ho-let me go! Ho-what is
1t to you"
But he held her.
CHAPTER XCIII.
The Dismissal.
His face turned searchingly to
hers. 1t was piercing in it's white.
quivering anxiety. "Chickie, where
were you? Why didn't you conner"
She felt his hand on her ach-
ing arm, and this touch of his
was more unbearable than the
fainting hurt. She said DULY,
You go-go now" and never
looked at him.
They passed lamppost. The
light fell on them. In it's glare
he saw her dropping, saw her
dragging, and the deathly pallor
Of her cheeks; then her feet,
leaving wet prints on the cement.
He stopped quickly and touched
her shoes-the wet edges of her
coat.
His lips shook. "Chickie, what
did you do?"
She shut her eyes.
"Chickie-" He clenched her
arm. The pain stabbed into her
like red hot knives.
She reeled, pleading softly
"Don't-let go-oh. let it CO.
He did; her hands dropped
heavy and limp to her sides. But
she swayed and he put his arm
about her waist. She had to en-.
dure it and his words. "ChicAe
what did you do? Where in the
name of heaven were you? This
won't do any good You'll only
make 1t worse-make it fright
ful. Chickie-listen-''
She turned from him, num-
Ellington, go-go! I don't want
you here"
1t seemed that he was beating
her; his hands thudded on her
raw heart.
They reached the steps. The
little yellow cottage was all in
darkness except for the hall light
they left for her. Chickie leaned
against the post, showing his arm
away. She wished to say a thing
TO him-say it quietly. But her
mind was dim; it was far from
her, sunk in heavy fogs. She
leaned at the post, wondering
vaguely if the kitchen window
was latched: if she could open
1t with her tortured hands.
And she turned suddenly, run
ming along the garden fence to
the alley. When he followed, she
said with a little shrill moan:
"Oh, go! You go!" And CHANGED
TO see his face. She stopped in
shock. 1t was so pale; it's mouth
SO drawn-a twisted, suffering
thing.
I'm not go! Until you tell me!
Until you go in. Where were you,
Chickie? What did you try to
90! Your coat is soaking, and
your shoes. Were you at the
beach? Were you? Lord, Chickie.
can't you see? This is terrible!
This is the worst way in the
world to do! Do you want every
one to know? Chickie-listen-"
She went stumbling through
the alley. He kept pace with her
MISUNDERSTANDING: What are
you going to do, Chickie? Won't
you speak to me? God
"Hush-they'l hear"
Give me your key-you better
go in"
Il have no key" She crept up
the steps to the porch. The moon
was soft on the climbing roses,
Chickie reached the window.
he saw her hands with the
swollen wrists; saw the skin torn.
he leaned down and turned them
PAIN upward, his breath chok-
ing.
For long while he held her
hands, staring at them. bitine,
MS lips. She had no strength IN
draw away. She feared to sneak
he ran a hand heavily over his
mar: there came a broken plead.
ing In his voice: Lord, Chickie-
them?" "" !"
"Ho-ho-"
He trembled. And suddenIv
opening the window for ber ~
pressed his face against the san',
hiding it with his upstretchsd
, lis Like a figure hanging on
There was an oppressive still.
nes about him when he turned.
Cnlckie-b battle your hands. PIT
them in hot water" ~
Ho-my hands"
he shuddered: Don't On HE
TINS. You can't! Chickie, there's
only one thing to do now. Co
away-1'll do anything"
She felt an insane lauphter
tearing at her throat. REt u
made no sound. 1t ripped things
made the blood go warmly. in
a heavy sickness round her
heart. "ef
She said again: "Go-po
now" 81
The dog whined. She gave q
whispered cry: "Wildie-hush-"
He came to the window.
Chickie tried 10 raise herself on
her elbows. climb in. The vain
like great, cruel hand doubled
her.
He saw the ashen misery. saw
the wincinD He o,,t 49, 81"