The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-15

bons. She lay charmingly against
the pillows talking In kAsoft dra.
matte manner 70 two girl friends.
They listened as to some Wildly
absorbing tale. Eva whispered
with o touch Of good.natured
irony: Swapping horrors. She's
giving all the details Of her fright.
ful agony, the tale that never
they were in the maternity
ward, but Chiclsie didn't know
TINS. she said: Nobody here
seems dying. what's the thrilI?"
''Look over In the corner"
The first thing Chickie saw was.
. pair. Of black eyes, brilliant
90 stars, then a mass Of dark,
glossy curls. 1t seemed the hs8d
ana forehead Of very young
beautiful boy. Then the patsent
turned half sitting up and rest
Ing on an elbow. Not q boy,
but . little slim girl, who seemed
about fifteen and whose mouth
ana short, resolute chin gave
her Q look stoical and defiant,
like that sometimes seen on chill.
dren who have been whipped, but
not convinced.
Eve said: We're Just in
time-" for at that moment Q
nurse brought in q bundle wrap
Ped IN d blanket and laid Il on
the bed at the girls side.
ChacIkie's face grew pale. She
lid, trembling: ''Not hers, 10
who's do yOu suppose7''
"Oh-she just seemed 30 ter
ribly young. ia never suppose
she was married.,
Want 10 see itSS so =. : !"
Chickie yanked her collar, for
she was suddenly warm and
breathing hard. moi NO, Nyai
She won't want as staring.
Eva said: She's fond or me-
ana. walking down the long aisle,
stopped over the girl with q warm:
Gets sweeter every day. Elena.
How are your" ~
The Girl had the baby Rugged
against her, she was looking down
% It, pressing its hand on her
breast. Her cheeks colored wheT
Eve spoke, but sch didn't smile at
All. When Eva said: "Let us see
IT. she glanced suspiciously at
Chickie, hesitated, but finaiIy
turned It . little, opening the
blanket.
Oh--it was much bigger than
Chickie's baby. Il had hair. too
black and curly. But il WASN'T Z
little. unprotesting thing with
scarce q Ticker to call ito life.
Il was rudy and plump. sud
denly. opening its mouth, 1t
Something in that twisting Of
lts lips struck along Chicxie'a
nerves. She had an overpoworing
wish to sink on her knees, hide
ner face against the child's. She
touched the baby's hand. She
leaned down, Whispering to the
girl. It's lovely" The Rirl Jaw
into Chickie's eyes. They were
trimming. She said impulsiyelv:
You can kiss him."
Then Chiclde walked unsteadilv
20 the corridor where Eva waited.
me large, easy face had a
twinkle: Stay out Of hosnitaIs
In future Il you can't do anv
better than that"
Chlckie was unable to answer
She was seeing one who forged
against a beating wind. head
down: one who stopped sud6enIv
ana laid a still form on the
srouno' blowing q breath be.
I"een us blue. unstirring lips.
Ah--it the child had lived: X
It were with her now; IL. she
had 1t to guard; It to raise
against the worlds protest? She
stopped abruptly and wiped her
race. She murmured: Eve
wnat becomes OF a child like
Eva shrugged: "peddled about
adopted"
They leave them here? How
can they do that"
It's the only thing to do,
''1 chlo a hlnds wer. c,.mmv.
She rubbed her handkerchief in
ball between them. "Ia Il?
But that girl. seems to want IL !"
There's the thrill for you.
she does want It. They hardly
ever do. She's going to take it.
It's hers. We. can't stop her.
You can see what she's walking
into. can't you--a girl Of sixteen
with a child--no hbme-no lob"
Eva told the girls story.
Elena Castenada belonged to an
old Spanish family. The girls
were all pretty and full Of fire.
They were poor but stern ana
proud. One Of the sisters was
married and living near San
Gabriel.
At fifteen Elena came from
Santa Barbara, where she had
been raised, to Los Angeles. get.
ting job as alteration han din
department store.
Sne Tell In love. No one knew
the man. And no threat Of dis.
owning or disgrace could force
his name from the girl, Elena.
When the married sister found
out she offered to take Elena in
u she would get rid Of the child.
II Elena would leave the baby,
the sister would allow her to
i've In her home. The girl re-
FUSED so that now she wouldn't
even turn her face from the
wall when her sister came to
visit. She was afraid they would
steal the baby--she was even sus-
picious that the nurses might give
1t away while she slept.
Chickie felt weak and almost
unable to breathe. She said faint.
ly: Il suppose she had some money
saved"
Oh--you do! Altering ladyies'
gowns is very profitable to the ap.
e she hasn't, what is she to