The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-29
CHAPTER LIV.
Jealous Gods,

Jealous Gods.
Chickie often wondered il her
future would have been altered IL
she had not gone to the tennis
court that day.
It was early afternoon, the hos
pital gardens soft and glowing
with color. The figures moving
in the court gave a dash Of
rhythmic vitality to the scene.
Irene Underwood and Kenneth
Harmon, an inferno, were playing.
They played often together and
were both skilled. Now seeing
Choickie and Phyllis Stone wait
ing, they finished a set. Harmon
said: Suppose we play doubles?"
Chickie was new at the game.
1t gave her the keenest delight to
swing out her arm; childish
thrill when she made good drive.
Now she laughed: II don't think
we can, DR.. Harmon, being as I'm
a hopeless amateur"
That's all right, I'm good"
the inferno offered cheerfully.
I'm make up for you. Well try
them out, anyway. How's that,
Rene?"
Irene bounced a ball with her
racket. Without looking up she
answered: "All right with me"
Irene and Phyllis took sides to-
gether. They won the first set,
for Chickie, added to her inexperi-
ence, was extremely nervous.
Harmon said: "Wel win all
the rest. Just gave you that for
a teaser. Try this, Miss Bryce"
- 10 HI -
Chickie a better serve. TRY It
Irene said irritably: Come
sharp and excited.
Harmon laughed. "Just for
that, let's beat them, Miss Bryce"
Chickie's nerves tensed. She tried
out the new serve, and, to her
establishment, aced her opponent.
1t was chance, but it passed for
brilliance. do that again" Har.
mon called. Great! Another les
son and well match you up with
Mollav'
Irene missed another ball be-
came irritable and lost again;
playing in wretched form. She
lost two sets, and suddenly flung
down her racket. swell, that's
enough! I'm tired, and I hate
doubles"
Harmon said to Chidxie: TRY a
set-just for practice"
He was quite a young man,
blond and easy-going, but very
conscientious in his work. Chickie
became impressed with him first
because of the care he gave to
| Chinaman who had taken a great
fancy to him and who suffered
extremely. Old Charley said:
Him great fellow! Him stay, I
nebber die. l tellem you!
| know"
The night he was dying he kept
moaning: You getem docky-
| getem docky-neber de-" At 2
o'clock in the morning Harmon
came over to see him. The China.
mans thin, claw-like hands dug
into the interne's arm. His head
nodded vaguely. He smiled. What
tellem you-docky GOMEZ not
diev'
He passed without knowing it.
| Harmon remained a moment. He
said to Chickie: IT wonder why he
wanted to live--a good old fellow"
She thought him very kind.
Now in his easy-going way
very quiet, yet very capable-he
had her try out different twists,
different serves. 1t was all new
to h0r-all very exciting. Especi-
ally if she succeeded and he said
amiably: "Great-a little more
practice and you'll be all right"
Finally he said: why don't you
come out more often, Miss Bryce
come out tomorrow"
Without thinking, Chickie an.
swered: ira love that! DO you
think your patience will last?'
Its the longest suit have"
| Exercise brought into play all
her stirring love of life. Going
into her room, she laughed seeing
the color race in her pale face,
her eyes vivid.
She was getting into her uni
form when Irene opened the door.
She was in a kimono, her hair
down. She sat on Chickie's bed
and began to file her nails. "Have
a good game, Bryce?"
''Well-you know how clever I
am with the racket"
"Ken's "a good teacher. He's
been playing a long while. We
were in grammar school when he
! gave me my first lessons
"Oh-have you known him that
long?"
"I should say I have. That's
why I came into training
thought I-might as we'll fill in the
time till he finished his course
Chickie said In surprice: oh
l didn't knew that"
Irene drawled: well, It's not
exactly been published" She
reached over and took a book
from Chickie's table. It was a
history of medicine that David
Ramm had loaned her. Irene said
casually: 'Yes--we're old friends
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