The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-17


Jonathan said: Are you sure
you want to do this, CHECKER"
She was weak with, thinking Of
it. and with the storm: Of pictures
tossing through her. mind. She
answered: fsBut should, know
Isshould."
He took her in his arms and
kissed. her.
So- she went with them. They
drove along the coast: saw the
waves lash up against the rocks;
saw them ripple mildly on the
sands. And Jennie watched her
all the time.
You're 2. very =. pale. chickie.
"The wind blows off the rouge.
You're not:4afraid: you're not
why. no. what makes you
Wilde crouched against her
knees, He licked her hands. Now
she stopped. down and caught his
neck, shaking 1t "a little. He
reared and licked her face.
He was in no hurry, that Jona-
than. Stop at, Santa Barbara and
see the old MissIoh-yes, climb
UP its ancient turret; touch
those bells of bronze that a long
century, ago rang out their call
to, prayer. And it was answered
from: the circling mountains to
the sunset sea.
How quiet all that past How
sunk beneath the marching days!
Chickie's eyes went from the
barren hills, so noble in their
nakedness, to the sunny gardens,
where the hearts of yesterday lay
silenced in their tombs. Oh, the
peace, and sweetness Of the years
that pass with tufted feet upon
a grave!
/. Yet, in that distant time were
! those who suffered, thinking that
their. pain. would /, never end;
thinking. it too great to bear. AS
she thought now =,
This fancy touched her. There
may have been girl some hun.
dred years ago who climbed
these very steps; who looked
across the hills and wept be-
cause her life seemed done. All
forgotten now. Chickie smiled.
Well-perhaps it didn't matter
much II one or another found the
going hard; perhaps one should
not, look within so much.
That Journey back to the home
she had left lin such forlorn de-
spair six months ago had many
freighted moments. Once, sitting
in the front with Jonathan, he
gave her a proud. mighty look.
he said with a chuckle,; my girl,
eh?" Her heart leaped to the
challenge. %z
But when the lower bay stretch.
ed out before them and the sharp
tang of the city's breath was in
her mouth, Chickie sat upright, a
hammering on every nerve. Jen-
ME whispered, Would you rather
wait till dark, Chickie, dear?"
IS Jonathan heard that. He said
quietly, "No, we're driving in
>. row." He stopped. the car and
motioned Chickie to the front with
him. He straightened taller than
before, so that he, lowered mas
slvely above the wheel. Chickie
gave soft, uneasy laugh. Are
you having brass band to meet
me, Jonathan"
"And I would have il I'd
thought in time"
1t was, plain enough what iona.
than expected, and she would
- - A.
measure up to that. And she
would have to fight as she had
not fought before.
When they reached Mission
street he just went sauntering-
give them all chance to see.
And, mind you, look about and
smile-that's the way!"
She, sat straight enough, but
when they nosed along Twenty.
fourth and went turning into Fair
Oaks she whispered, trembling,
"Hurry-oh, just a little"
"Shucks now, Chickie, girl! Is
all the world thinking Of your"
Just the same, it was hard to
keep from shaking when they
passed the Blakes' old gray house
and there was the breath OF
heaven and the stunted palm
then down to the cottage, SO
white and cleaning now-new
curtains at the windows.
She said again, Hurry hurry
and wanted to rush in and close
the door, swift and fast.
When Jonathan took his time
finding the key she was almost
at the breaking point. He said
CLOSE your eyes, Chickie; Jennie s
got surprises here"
When she stepped into her own
room she didn't need to close her
eyes. Tears blinded them. Why,
they'd made the house all over
for her coming. Why, they'd
built new things about. and the
room wasn't the same at all.
That window that used to loL..-
on Jennie's roses was gone and in
its place were doors-long French
doors. They opened to another
room, all sun and flowers and
birds in cages, and wicker chairs
and a. wicker desk.
Jennie came padding up, wiping
at her cheeks. She. stared in.
quiringly at Chickie's face, saying
to Jonathan: II guess, she likes
it! I guess she's pleased"
All this they'd done for her!
No wonder Jennie trembled, pluck
ing that, thistle in an old yard
full of weeds.
They made her, say again and
again If she liked it, if she was
glad about it; If this wasn't better
now than being all alone
Even the kitchen was changed.
with a new, white sink and a
shiny drainboard and cabinets
freshly built and painted.
Someone had been about the
house that morning, for there
were flowers eyerywhere-gaudy
autumn flowers all red and ~oId.
. Chickie said; Does Mary
know"
Yes-Mary knew. - Mary could