The Washington times., 1924-01-21

AA6 W a. 6uOACl WAA HLOkH VA
questions breaking in her own
mind. He knew fellows-Did he?
She had refused obstinately to
look at the world except as she
wished to see it--a lovely, delight
full place-full Of good times
wondrous Sundays under tree
with some one happy of heart.
luxurious evenings with a prince
ly, lavish fellow like Jake. Why
should one ask more? One could
go on in this happy carelessness
years and years. So she assured
herself.
Now she was remembering
things Jake said-his eyes pos
sessing hers-hand warm, insist
ent on hers. She drew in hard,
excited notwithstanding.
She jumped back with alarm
when she found Jennie leaning
over her shoulder, saying in a
happy. complacent tone, From
Mr.. Munson, Chickie?"
"Oh, mother! You frightened
me. Yes-Mr. Munson."
Jennie touched the flowers
dreamily, a smile on her lips.
do you care for him, CHECKER"
"Why, mother! Such things as
you ask! I've only known the
maxwell about a month";"
you've seen great deal Of
him. And he sends you these
flowers. He isn't a boy, Chickie.
You must remember it's not right
to triffe with mans heart"
''Oh, no, mother! Don't make
10 ~ Che a1 70 SYiN,o
some flippant, caustic rejoinder,
but she turned and saw Jennie's
plump neck with a thin Straggle
of hair falling from the amber
comb; Jennie's white apron tied in
a neat bow at her waist. She
thought, with clutch of pity at
her throat: Lot you know, Jennie!
Lot you know Of men,
She went back with heightened
agitation to her own questions.
What were the things Jimmy knew
about fellows? Did he mean all
of them-Barry, too? No-she
wouldn't have that
But Jake? Things he said OF
marriage, Of love, of Mary, came
now hot, stabbing into her mind.
Was he only sounding her out?
She went over to the window,
stared long time into the back
garden. If the world was like
this; II men had only such thoughts
in their minds-well-her eyes
blinked. She closed them with
stinging bitterness.
Behind her were joyous weeks
that had swept her along on a
sparkling, quick tide of happiness.
Barry, grinning at her from his
window; meeting her at noon and
rushing her off to lunch. When
his eyes met hers a surging rest
lessness charged through her. She
found herself often looking at his
mouth--beautifully chiseled; so
young. He caught her once or
twice; with a merry twinkle, drew
his lips together: Ready, willing
and waiting-ah--you sweet thing
-" She wanted to crush her
heart down; make it cold; make it
still.
She turned with impulsive relief
to Jake Munson: went with him to
the best shows; allowed him to
send flowers, take her to dinner
Oh, he was the vital, exultant
fellow. She sat back easily, giving
full rein to her careless flippance,
flattered to the marrow when his
black, flashing eyes took fire.
She was going to dinner with
him tonight. In the center of the
basket We're orchids. She PINNED
them on her coat.
Jonathan came in and closed her
door softly after him. He said in
solemn whisper: "Chickie, like
this Mr.. Munson all very we'll, but
you're seeing too much of him.
don't want you to throw yourself
at anybody" Calmly - without
meaning the slightest hurt.
But she, already nervous because
of Jimmy, turned sharply, tears
squirting into her eyes: Jonathan!
All right! I'll not go-you can Just
go in and tell him She tore
off her gloves.
He came over, shocked, and
made her face him. "You don't
want your father to speak to you,
Chickie? Is that it?"
Jonathan! Such a time as you
take to say things! Now, I'm
going to cry. That's a fine way to
treat person"
She lowered her head quickly.
He drew her to him. helped her
with the glove. There, now |
didn't mean to get you on edge.
Chickie, girl, come-kiss your old
dad. You know he can't mind his
own business"
She went out shaken. all her
uneasiness quickened.
At the hotel she took off her
coat as she always did, because
sne was ashamed and uncomfort-
able In its shabbiness. It's black
wolf collar was matted. But II
mad cost $50 and had to give
TWO years full service. Jake
waited. teasing smile on his
lips. You treat that Door coat
roughly, Chickie. Don't you like
"Oh. yes! So chic---the only
one OF its kind in captivity
praise be to heaven for thatV
he caught and remembered the
hidden Vehemence in her tones.
mature, settled air about it-old
dignity of the big room. It had a
They entered the great, ouiet
people at many Of the tables.
women with shriveled necks and
diamond collared; men with for.
lorn' chill air like fireplaces where
the embers are turning gray.
Jake nodded to the party near
tnem--a couple. aged forty; a
child of seven and the grand.
motner-a stocky, massive little
person with very short arms that
moved rhythmically and with
sharp determination to her mouth.
she was obviously the purse Of
the family. On the back Of her
chair was a long coat of chin
chilla lined with rose crepe.
Look at that old ruin, Chickie,
| decked out in the f1ou,ar1 ,,R Mo-,