The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-06-17
GO ON WITH THE STORY

childd Is dead. She returns 70 i her sick
her exhausts Chickie
GO ON WITH THE STORY
BY Gilmore Meherin
Martha brought her a glass of
warm milk. Chickie thought her
eyes were searching. She wondered
if she had spoken in her dream. Oh
it was bitter, having such pictures
in her mind-sitting on that mound
of earth, the dead baby on her
knees and she, blowing the pitiful
breath in it's mouth.
Yet she was grateful for the
suspense and the tightness Of these
watching days-even glad that
Jennie lay so quiet, needing her. 1t
gave her strength, gave her calm.
She could even smile when Mary
came. For now her fight was done,
all stilled the song and tumult. She
was pouring out her youth-what
youth was left her-into Jennie s
veins. And they three-she and the
two old beloved ones-would go
along the road together-always
Jennie would be better soon, be
rosy and plump again. Sometimes,
hearing the shor.., gaspy BREATH see
ing the nostrily almost transparent
now and dilating, she grew afraid.
She stared at her mothers thin,
drawn lips.
why is she still so weak?" she
asked the doctor.
Weak? My dear girl, be thank.
full. It's we'll you came when you
did. You did what I couldn't you
gave her the will to i've"
T was blessing for both of
them-the slow convalescence.
1t brought them close. They
had never been so near. Chickie
combed her mothers hair, bathed
her, tied ribbons to the long sleeves
OF her nightgowns. AS she did this
she murmured odd, gentle, yearning
things that brought tears to the
gentle eyes. Then Chickie would
laugh: "Ho, weep for yourself, ole
dear! You're BETTER See-the
frills-I make you so very other
wise, mother, darling"
Jennie gave her looks that tore
the heart, they were so full Of
faith. so pierced with love. Once
she said: "Chickie, I didn't know
you cared so much"
"Oh, mother-but now? Why, did
you really think liked being away?
all but died being held down there.
1t was pretty terrible, Jennie-and
Jonathan yelling for me to come,
and no way to get here quicker.
It was, all right"
Jennie gathered these words like
precious jewels. She had them in
her thoughts. They were radiant
there.
One day-one of those young, vi
brant days that sometimes come in
February; come lifting Of an early
spring, Martha said: 1--WE must
take her out for while. 1t will
do her world Of good. Jimmy is
coming we'll take her for
a little ride"
Chickie said "Oh-yes-" The
blood flew wildly to her face. IT
won't go, Martha dear. I'll stay
home and have everything warm
when you get back"
Nonsense! You need a little
change yourself-get on your things
now. I'll help Jennie"
Chickie went into her room, seized
with an overpowering wish to fling
herself on the bed-cry and cry. 1t
seemed to her that she would die
meeting Jimmy-laughing, talking,
pretending. Why couldn't they leave
her alone-let her be
She didn't want to go out; didn t
want to meet the old life she had
known when the days were all so
glad.
Then she heard the bell ring-a
laugh in the hall-Jimmy' eager:
Get a move on there!
Her face in the mirror was ashen,
lines at her mouth. She marked the
pale lips with rouge. But tears made
tracks in the powder. She had to
wipe it off and try again.
Jimmy carried her mother to the
car. They propped her up with pill
lows. Jennie was excited and smiled.
Martha sat with her. Chickie was
in the front with Jimmy.
She stumbled, getting in. He
caught her elbow, saying with a
mock laugh: Shall carry you,
too, sweetie? What's the matter,
my darling. You're white as a
ghost"
She turned her head. "Just tired.
I've been up lot"
Jimmy's face sobered. When the
car was going swiftly he asked
"Chiclzie, is it only lack Of sleep?
What else would you have it,
Jimmy, dear?"
IT heard about that, Chickie, is
that why you went away?"
Her breath stopped.
well, shouldn't 1 ask that,
CHECKER"
What do you mean? Yes-quick
ask it--what did you hear
well. heard Of his marriage"
"Oh-a long while ago.
"Yes-say, look here, Chickie,
you're not going back up there to
that fool farm stuff, are your"
Motley don't want me To-
1T should say not! Chickie, how
about running this car? Mother has
the buck fever You could take the
old ladies out Of an afternoon. Good
for them and for you. Well" -
"Oh-maybe''-- She drew down
low in the seat and turned her face,
but not quickly enough. Jimrny
saw the tears. He reached his hand