The Washington times., 1924-03-12
little fellows were as cute and as

little fellows were as cute and as
clean
Folding these bright, sparkling
receptions into their envelopes
she had a spent, exhausted feel.
ing. She would gaze out to the
far hills, wondering how long
she could keep this up: wonder
ing what new subterfuge she
must inVent-and If in the end
they would fail
Whenever this fear seized her,
she walked. She wore herself
out with these walks. Once she
stopped suddenly and said aloud:
"Christmas-IN be away from
them Christmas" She could
hardly breathe.
Often now she sat duly near
the stream. She tried not to
think. She held herself in
stony apathy, but tears went
scalding along her throat. They
burned her heart. .a@
And she said: What will I do
them wonder what I'll do
then" By that she meant
when it was over and the child
was born. She bit her lips
together, her eyes on fire. She
prayed with a low, frantic plead
ing. "Oh.-Lord God"
She would fancy that she was
to die and the child would die too.
She hoped for this. She looked in
to the water steadfastly and MUIR
INJURED brOkenly-"Oh-oh-''
In colder moments she was Ger.
tain that this escape would not
be hers. Not would be relent-
less. She must face it to the
bitterest fullness. She lay awake
at night and went through imagi-
nary conversations with Mrs.
Robbins. Perhaps she could leave
1t here and come UP every week
end.
But she was never certain Of
Agnes Robbins. The woman pet
ted her, followed her about-hun-
cry for companionship. When
Chickie had been there three
weeks they sat on the porch one
evening. A crimson glow set the
pale beauty Of the hills in flame.
This is the best time of the
twenty-four hours. We should
sleep in the day and live by
night" Agnes Robbins began.
theatrical career-One night stands
hotels that were but cardboard
boxes, and the strange comedies
and tragedies that went on and
were overheard behind these paper
walls. She talked-she had
rich, tumultuous past. Suddenly
she said:
why did you come up here,
hof -
to bury yourself"
Chickie imagined that Agnes
Robbins had begun to suspect.
Now she tilted her shoulders with
a quick, affirming laugh and
opened her hand in a revealing
gesture: Cant you see, LADY,"
"Well-you don't tell me?
When? A long while yet, no
doubt?"
II suppose you'll go down to
the city for the big event"
Chickie gasped: "Oh-I don't
know-Im not quite sure"
well, of course YOU could GO
in to Stockton or out to the
town. We have a fine doctor
here-a nicely equipped hospital
at that
Chickie was now so alarmed she
clenched her hands. They were
dry and hot. She said, "Well,
I've not decided"
Mr.. Clayton will be back, of
course"
"He-oh-that's just what makes
1t rather hard: he can't be here.
At the earliest, he won't return
till next June"
Mrs. Robbins reached over and
patted Chickie's hand. Never
mind, dearie, you'll come through
1t all right. We're all afraid the
fIrst time. 1t will be such com.
pany Tor you afterwards"
oh. yes; I've thought of that"
1t will. Sometimes wish NV
girl was little again. l want
Chickie said: We'll, Agnes
Robbins, l may camp on with you
years and day and give you
company"
She began seriously to con.
slder this, yet never quite sure
or this colorful woman who gave
her the feeling of a volcano. but
half quiescent. Agnes Robbins
had a very uncertain temper.