The Washington times., 1924-02-19

Oh d Tine SEe0 yUu nave WOukuu
you? That IL what we do-all of
us--I wonder IL it's right as we
think?
"Wouldn't It be better, ChicIxie,
II we let the poor old body stretch
itself now and then--not TO try
to force It so--"
she said, absently: ''Men follow
the trees q great deal In that,
don't they?"
"But mean this--wouIdn't It
be better If the whole world would
take saner view" And he
went on, becoming 80 involved
/ that she laughed and couldn't fol.
low. She stopped down and kissed
him.
He regarded her with amused,
dubious eyes. Then he pulled her
down:
Look here, frail, you're q men,
tai laggard! Stretch your brain
a little! Do you realize that every
time wish to pour forth wisdom
you stop meT'
.Ain't 1t sweet the way ! do it?''
"TOo sweet"
But she laughed and closed his
eyes with her fingers. feeling
anew her power over him.
CHAPTER LxvII
CONVENTIONS LASH
She seldom dropped in on Mary
these days. She was afraid Of
her questions.
One night they bumped into
each other as Mary was leaving
her mothers. Mary said angrily.
giving little Edwards go-cart q
vigorous push: Walk q ways
with me, Chickie." Then abrupt
ly: Whats this I hear about
your"
Trifles like that filled her with
alarm random look; q word.
Now she was cold: shocked into
silence.
"oh. it's true. is IT? Pardon me
for butting I'm"
Breathless, Chiclkie snapped:
Have sensei What in the world
are you talking about?"
Mary flared about, stopping
short: you, Chiclie Bryce!
Nobody else! Nice thing that
your friend, Janina Knowles, can
tell It to me. After all these
years"
Relief like the soft evening
breeze touch the hot burn in her
mind. She tucked her arm in
Mary's: Let's have It, old dear.
don't know what you can be
ranting about"
''Oh, no! But didn't look,
for a slap In the face like this.
Chickie. That one going to stand
up with youl Well-it's your own
business, but I'm here to say it's
pretty raw. / may be q dub
and all that but guess I could
scrape the wherewtthal to buy a
decent gown. And il I'm not thin
enough to walk before you
could starve between now and
June. Well--laugh! Oh-awful
FUNNY, isn't 1t? But it doesn't
strike me on the humorous toe.
And don't think I'll get over 1t
In a hurry. either. Perhaps
thats why you've given me the
out for the last few months?
Weli' you don't get, away with
1t, that's allr'
She was almost running now
ner dark lace crimson. Chickie
burst out laughing. When she
tried to speak. she laughed again,
nan with relief; ha$f with hysteria.
Lovely Nary
Mary bit her lips together.
Chickie said amiably: IT don't
Know what Janina can have told
you, but it's not true"
Well-1'm sorry I said any
thing, Chickie. But Of course, I
would! You know me. 1 suppose
you're privileged to do as you
well, that will be about enough
from you, Mrs. James Edward
McPike! Step off your perch. If
Janlna gave you an ear full she
nad her fun out Of it. She made
"Chickie, do you mean to saw
you're not engaged? You're not
gong to be married in June?"
Unless should elope or fan
heiress, I'll still be Chickie Bryce.
more's the pity"
Mary glanced at her, unbeliev.
ing. At length she said: "You
love this Barry Dunno, don't You.
Cnick1e? You're wild about him?
lou We Just about given up every.
Ihey had reached Mary's door.
Cnlckie stopped, pretending to but.
ton her pump. She said quietly.
why have you such a grudTe
against him, Mary? You slwavs
speak so furiously.'
Come in. We haven't had
nan an hour to chat in ages y"
Little Edward had fallen asIeen
mary laid him in his crib. "He's
an right for while. weII-T
nave no grudge, Chickie. Only 7
qua nope for some thing brilliant
IN you. thought you'd surely
TIRE OF him or he'd get tired of
you. Then you'd have sense Rut
here it's dragged on more thar a
year and you've cut out EVERYONE
else. Now you say you've not
even engaged. Well, I hone va,
cont intend to wait till ali tbe
flavor is gone" ~ '''e
Chickie's throat was s,da.,,,,
alive with hot little pulses Fly
hammered; that made her voice
Mary went on ruthlesslv. "Ard
suppose you've let yoursalp oarn
SO much that If anything shonid
come come between Sn you now. you'd he
Ghickie had a sudden wild I'm,
pulse to say: "Yes-that'. LII
wary. Nothing dare come he
Tween us now. What do we,
she fancied Mary's face rett,n.
cropping; Would Mary turn fro,a
ner9 would Mary think il So