The Washington times., 1924-01-16

ing, stood with the window shade
clenched in her hands. Her heart
beat wildly.
A girl and a man were coming
across the street, the girl walk
ing delicately-graceful as
flower.
Tears sprang into Jennie's eyes.
She said half aloud: "Ah, God be
thanked and again, Thanks be
to God!'
Coming up the steps, a tall, fine
young man holding Chickie's
hand. flushed notes.-the young
mans arm around Chickie's waist.
Jennie's breath stopped. The
man was drawing Chickie to him,
holding her. Ah--but now Chickie
was shaking her head-pulling
gently free.
Jennie saw that-all of it. She
raised her head proudly. That
Jonathan with his fears! But
her daughter-her Chickie, she
knew what to do. Jennie stole
down the hall, quivering with, ex-
ultance.
A moment later Chickie crept
in noiselessly, avoiding with In
finite pains the creaky boards.
She heard Jonathan snore. 1t
heartened her like q trumpet note
She closed her door softly, laugh:
ing with joy at this triumphant
entrance. Asleep-the two OF
them-luck again
Her door opening, Jennie with
the candle; Jennie catching her In
her arms, kissing the fresh, young
face, wetting 1t with her tears.
What kept you? What kept
you? It's after 2. I've been wait
ing and waiting"
Oh, mother! Hush You'll wake
Jonathan. It's not so'late =.
and to stop Jennie's eager tongue,
Chicllie rushed headlong into an
ecstatic account of the evening.
Whenever Jennie interrupted with.
But" But 1 don't see what
kept you so long" ChicFie
burst into new raptures. ut was
thrilling. 1t was wonderful. We
ate and we danced and we ate
again. And all that takes time.
Oh, but I'm so tired, Jennie dar.
ling. I'll tell you the rest in the
morning"
She wasn't tired Her nerves
throbbed. Her brain was a rain
bow flashing colors; her heart sank.
The pins but half out Of her nair.
the golden mass tumbling. she
paused. remembering. His arr1
about her like that; his clean cut.
ardent young face-ah-now she
half wished she had let it happen.
But no-no-she wouldnt-not for
long time-if he should love her
-truly-well, then
Yet it was sweet to think about
sweet to close her eyes and let
her dreams soar. He had been
thinking of her as she thought Of
him. He called her The Blessed
Damozel" Why? Who was she?
Just as she was falling asleep
the thought OF Janina and Jake
came with a chill. She turned
over Quickly-all that could wait.
Chickie's room was on the side
OF the little cottage. Through its
ell window the morning sun trenI-
bled in soft yellow patches over
the carpet-it went shivering deli
cately across the mirror, taking
a rosy glow from the cratonne
drapes.
Jennie Bryce went padding from
shadow to light. raising a shade,
putting a tray covered with a
white napkin on a table: glancing
furtively at the long. slender forr:.
impatient for Chickie to awaken.
Chickie watched, pretending to
be asleep. Jennie hadn't lost any
time. Jennie would now begin her
shy, eager cross examination, send
ing down her questions like plum.
NETS to sound the still, mysterious
depths of Chickie's heart.
Because her heart was clear
and happy then Chiclxie laughed
Jennie came hurrying over to the
bed, set out the tray, fussing with
the sugar and cream. She was
agitated All those things iona.
than had said about the smoking
and that stuck like red thorns in
her flesh.
Seeing this, Chickie said Flip
PANTY: Nice breakfast. What's
biting you, sweet Jennie?"
"Chickie that's no way to talk
to your mother"
Laughing: But you love it,
don't you, old dear?"
Mrs. Bryce pursed her lirs. She