The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-05-01

hands. "Yes-hurryl This is no
way to do. Mr.. Munson has been
waiting an hour"
She said flippantly: "Oh. let him
wait! Whet his interest! 1 had to
work. I'm too tired now"
Jake shrugged, his eyes hooking.
Take a ride. then; rest yourself, my
dear. Give you the breeze"
And Jennie nodding, mildly re-
proving. Just when she wanted
most to be free-to be alone-to go
sweeping her thoughts far out with
him on the tossing, glad sea that
was love.
She put out her hand in swift
appeal. Jake turned toward her,
shutting Jennie out. "Chickie-
you've got to say goodby to me, any
way Won't turn me out stark
cold, will your Not polite. my dear!
I'll bring you back in half an hour.
She went.
1t left her with little poisoned
fear in her mind-that meeting with
Jake. He said nothing until they
were parked on a lonely stretch be-
tween the trees. He slumped down
in the seat and laughed: Giving
me the out, CHECKER"
She didn't answer, but, half glanc-
ing toward him. noticed the red
mouth pale and unsmiling. His
warm, magnetic hand covered hers.
ct see, Chickie. You won't listen to
an old dog. will you? Don't want
me around at all?"
I'm not making dates with any
one"
LAS bad as that? You're calling
off Wednesday and Friday, too?"
Yes"
Forever, I suppose2"
Eyes"
He leaned down to her then, black
eyes hot. provoking. well. say 1t
gently-draw tears. you little onion!
Say 1t without so much as a sigh.
That's affectionate, my dear!" His
breath quickened, his face so near
to hers she could feel it like a flame.
The exultant voice sank to a husky
murmur. "Chickie. you don't mean
this? Let me speak,
She put her hands UP between
them. He caught them. moving his
hot lips swiftly over their palms.
II will want you Chickie. l love
you; oh. I'd give the world. I've
not said much lately. I wanted you
to care. Chickie-if you'd only put
your arms around me-just once"
She closed her eyes. pushing him
with little Sob mo- Don't, Oh,
can't stand it,
He sat back, r1gid-white as pa
per. He began to tumble with the
gears; his breath so loud il seemed
tearing him. She was cut to the
heart: tears rushed into her eyes.
She hid her face.
Never mind. Chickie." He
touched her hands gently. That's
all right shouldn't have done
that. couldn't help It. The way
you look I thought you liked me
little"
IT do! I like you a great deal.
Oh. think you're fine. 1 wouldn't
hurt you for the world. But you
see-well-I didn't think you'd say
that now"
NO. I didn't mean to. II you
knew how I want you-how I'd
like to kiss you-how I've wanted
for all these months-and a year
before that. Chickie-my dear"
He clenched his hands on the wheel.
After a while he said quietly:
You're not going to be married"
"Oh, don't think of such
things"
He smiled. That's good-a boys
love. Swift and hot. 1 think I
want you enough to wait-Chickie
to wait till you come back. Will
you be glad to find me here then?
You rather like me. Yes. you do,
You've let me kiss youl I'll waltz
She couldn't speak for the fain,
heat that rose heavily above her.
She felt a knife striking white
through her heart. Boys love
swift and hot. Oh, was that true?
OF Barry? And she might some
day look across the valley and find
no sweet, strong mouth pursed
gaily, teasing to hers? Oh-and
day when he would be gone? A
numb, faint terror pulsed coldly
through her veins.
She lay awake that night and
through the soft beauty Of her
dream there ran hard. tight thread
of fear. She felt Barry's fine hands
holding her face. his lips trembling