The Washington times., 1924-01-10

mist. -
But she wanted to talk to Mary;
it might be that Mary knew Of
love.
It was Saturday. So many
things may happen on a Saturday.
She put on her blue sweater with
the frilled white collar and cuffs.
AS she looked into the mirror she
smiled dreamfly-prettiest girl on
the floor-she glanced at herself
through Arthur's eyes.
When she kissed her mother.
saying, II suppose Mary and I'll
go to the mOvies"-she wondered
II Jennie had ever been so all
caught up in a lovely haze be-
cause Of Jonathan whispering
In her ear? Jennie, so plump and
settled-ah, no!
She walked with the grace of a
happy young princess down Fair
oaks to the ancient two story.
gray house where the Blakes
lived.
Mary was watering the garden.
holding the hose high over a
stubby old Breath Of Heaven and
the white roses climbing up the
parlor window.
She's finishady'' ChicIx,a
tnO1Gnt gayly. her mind going
DScK over endless Saturdays when
sne had waited hour after hour
1or Mary to finish her tasks.
saturday was a gray witch Of
q day In the Blake household: :
much baking; much sweeping.
a regular orgy Of scrubbing. Each
one mad certain work to do
Mary had to sweep the hall ana
stairs, help make the beds and
bake two mammoth cakes to fiji
the family sweet tooth over Sun.
day.
Then provided, Of course. as
she was fond Of saying to Chickie,
one OF the infants didn't throw
a lit or swallow the buttonhook
she was free.
Mary was somewhat irritable as
a matter of habit, for the reason
that her brothers and sisters were
continually ridiculing her out of
all the graces she so admired in
Cnlckle and which she tried to
cultivate. But her family insisted
that she remain commonplace and
sensible. They interfered with
her imagination wherein she liked
TO walk in majesty; one of those
terrific, queenly Helens at whose
glance men turned to stone.
They had a way Of saying: "Aw.
come out of 1t! You're only Mary
HIAka Vnfr
your royal highness airs"
Mary detested this familiarity.
She envied Chickie and wished in
her heart that fate had made her
an only child.
Now, seeing Chickie SO fresh
and cool, the pretty hair in deep
waves and the frilly collar on her
sweater, her eyes narrowed. Gee!
You're all dolled, Chickie. Bet
you haven't done another thing
all morning. A fat chance you'd
nave in our house to be ANYTHING
but a clod. Why, Jimmy even
makes fun of me because | round
my fingernails, but l notice he
thinks points are pretty cute
Wnen you wear them"
Chickie sighed Darling old
Jimmy! He did think her pretty
cute. And he was SO good to her
and Mary. Didn't he take them
to the Orpheum every other week.
And waffles afterwards.
Jimmy was Mary's older brother
tWenty-three now. Often on
saturdays he used to come home
early before she and Mary had
finished with their weekly feast.
He would sit on the table. teasing
them, grinning at Chickie. In
deeo, ne was as much her brother
as Mary's. Even more, because
Mary often flared up furiously
at Jimmy. but Chickie always
found him adorable.
Now Mary said-"Oh, yes! Oar.
ling indeed! Perhaps you wouldn't
think so if you had to darn his
socksr'
ChiclSie laughed. But she
thought with a. pang. isn't she
mean todayw
They went up the wooden steps
to the kitchen. A warm sniff of
gingerbread floated through the
ONASSAA NOOIs
Mary cut a huge triangle from
the cake she had made. I'VE
might as well eat in peace and
quiet before the others come"
They pulled up their chairs.
They had just dug their elbows in
comfortably when a rich voice
called over the banisters: Mary!
Mary DEAR"
AT the note Of hesitation, Mary
shot a swift. eloquent glance at
Chickie. saying in evaporation:
There! Now our plans are
spoiledr
But she answered with inquir.
ing resignation: Yes, mother,
Chickie and are just having
chocolate"
Lucy phoned."
Mary brought her cup down to
the table with a bang. Lucy!
Well. what does she want?"
She wants you to go over for
an hour"
"An hour! Well. for pity sakes.
II Lucy Adams thinks I'm going
to play nurse girl to her kids
every blessed Saturday,"
Mary! Why, Mary"
well, I don't care! It's not
fair, mother. I've Just worked
Ike a slave all morning, and now
Chickie's waiting for me-"
But she only wants You for
an hour"
Mary slumped into her chair;
her eyes blinked.
Sne waited for Chickie to speak.
And Chickie toyed with her cake,
She knew what Mary expected.
Yet on this blithe, momentous