The Washington times., 1924-01-16
THE STORY OF "CFIICKIE" i. AHSsfes %3G ze5. By E

where Red was vigorously shaking
some mysterious connection in a
Mason jar, She spoke to him.
struggling, half angriIy, toward
Chickie. He handed her the jar,
and filling sherbet glass with a
wonderful golden drink came to
Chickie. Here's to the blessed
damozel and the lilies in her hand"
She gave him a vague, misty
smile. and smiling because she was
so near to tears, looked into the
glass. He pressed her hand softly.
What's the matter? Janina says
you aren't happy. Why?"
Are we really to stay here all
night, Mr.. Dunne?"
"Sure! Jake won't turn us out"
Her glass shook. the delicate liz.
uor spattered on the beautiful ma.
dried her hands on his handker-
chief and, expecting a smile, saw
her eyes suddenly fill, then close
sharply.
Nov. look here, Miss Bryce
why are you doing that?"
She said impulSively and putting
her hand quickly in his, II have TO
get home. Oh, would you take me
homer"
Without waiting for an answer
she tore her coat from the chair.
His face darkeneU.
"You want to 60 home? We
couldn't make It,"
She said, with the tears run
ming down her face. "Yes-if we
run"
When he stood there hesitant
she threw out her hand in a fran
tic little gesture and darted
across the room. She ran down
the steps, stood bewildered and
half blinded in a pit Of darkness.
He pulled her arm.
Look here, Miss Bryce; we
can't do this"
She ran down the hill, not heed
ing, dashing her feet against the
scattering pebbles. Suddenly he
took hold of her arm, whispered
roughly. "All right, them
She felt herself hurled, pushed,
leaping. Far below the lights of
the boat streamed into the slip.
You've got to run-quickerw
He swept an arm about her. They
dashed through the gate, breath.
less, the blood pounding in their
ears.
''Outside?"
She nodded, sinking to the
bench, closing her eyes, waiting
for her pulse to quiet. Suddenly
her mind flashed a picture of
Janina; then Of Jake as they dis
covered her gone.
Safe now, on the boat: on the
way home, relieved Of her deadly
fear the badness of her flight
stood forth in a chill, dismaying
light.
Dashed off, not waiting TO bid
them farewell-as though they
were monsters-what would they
think? She had outraged their
kindness; their hospitality, like
an insane person. Her thought
covered.
Barry Dunno. sitting next to
her, his hat off, smoked medita-
lively as though he were alone.
His profile was sharply toward
her-nOn-commital. He took long
puffs at his cigarette. exhaling
slowly, blowing the smoke up.
ward.
She waited for him to speak
and grew miserable when he re-
manned fixed in silence. Finally
she said, I'm sorry to spoil your
fun"
What was the big idea?"
II had to get home! l can't
stay out all night without a mo-
ment's notice. If I phoned at IL
o'clock and said I wasn't coming
home my father would think Id
lost my mind"
Didn't you know we were to
stay when we started across the
bay?"
NO"
Everyone else did"
She let her hands drop in her
lap, folded. A wave of pity swept
her. She was ridiculous. 1t
wasn't fair in Jonathan to ask
so much. Other girls could have
phoned. They wouldn't be forced
to miss a glorious cruise over
the bay. But she must give up
the glad pleasure. She must do
an absurd unheard-of thing. They
would never ask her anywhere
again. No one would.
Night after night she would
sit at home with Jonathan read
ing his paper; Jennie rocking or