The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-06-16

She strained her eyes against the
window: she winked the tears back
Then the little yellow cottage.
White shades In the living room and
lights there--rnany lights. The driver
helped her oIt-helped her to the
steps. And she paused, breathless,
on the old post. Why were the lights
so bright there7 Why was that2
The front door opened softly-a
deep, muff1ed cry: "Chickiel Chickie
girl!'' Jonathan. like boy, bounded
down the steps. half lifting her in
his arms. carrying her.
Then she saw his fsce-haggard
and worm. She closed her eyes.
She whispered: "Jeanie? Jen-
ME"
"Ah God, CHECKER
"Oh Jonathan-quicls-tell me-"
He said-"Como-"
Half fainting. she followed, cling
ing to his arm. Half blindly she
went into their room, reached the
bed. dropping to her knees. Jen-
ME lay there.
Jonathan stopped down and whis-
pered in her ears: "Mother-she's
here-mother@"
Jennie didn't stir-Chickie heard
faint, gasping breath. She looked
and saw the plump, gentle face,
white. thin-the nostrils pinched.
Oh-but she was there She was
alive-she was left to them. Chickie
reached for the wasted bands.
brought them to her lips. And Jona-
than said, with a chuckle in his muir
mur1ng voice. Jennie! Your Chickie!
Jennie--she's comet
HE pale lips opened, a flicker
| of joy, faint "Chickie?"
- Jennie turned-saw her-ah
smiled. Chickie buried her face
against her mothers arms and cried
because of the look in Jennie's eyes
and cried because her heart was
broken so. Oh, Jennie looked at her
as though it was an angel come to
visit her-as though 1t were the
sweetness of Heaven opening.
And Jennie raised her hand a
little. She touched Chickie's hair.
Jonathan came over then and
lifted Chickie in his arms and pressed
her against his shoulder, sobbing and
holding her so tight. She said:
"Jonathan-she's all right-Jennie's
all right"
His chin doubled as it had in her
dream. He shook his head. II don't
know don't know-pray Godr'
But Chickie answered, "She is!
She isr'
She chung to her mothers hand
hold her-death should not win
oh. there's been enough-enoush-
She sat there through the night
and knew no pain of her own. She
looked across to Jonathan and
smiled. He came over and kissed
her-raised her face in his hands,
saying again and again: "Chickie girl
-Chickie-"
Once Jennie heard that-opened
her eyes wide, smiled. She said,
clearly, II knew she'd come"
"Mother-you know me-I'm
here" Chickie smoothed the hair
leaned down and kissed 1t gently.
Tears were at the corner Of Jennie's
eyes.
Oh-the peace of these nights and
days! Oh-the shelter and the quiet
Of Jonathan's arms-the benediction
of Jennie's smile.
Die-not now-and Chickie here.
Her coming had wrought the miracle
Jonathan met her in the hall one
morning that first week. She was
bringing Cruel to her mother,
Jonathan cried. He said: THANK
God for you, Chickie girl you saved
her"
Chickie turned her face away.
Another time at breakfast, JON
athan got up swiftly, put his arms
on Chickie's shoulders, staring in
her eyes. A startled, frightened look
crossed his mouth.
"Chickie-you're s,ck-Chickie
don't you feel well?"
'"Of course, Of coursev'
But he touched her cheeks-he
ran his hand under her chin. He
said abruptly: You must rest-rest
Chickie. Can't have you sick now"
She laughed "Oh, Jonathan
feel feel-oh, you don't know
but s3 If everything is right again
n
She sat all day with Jennie. Some
times they talked. Sometimes her
mother lay quiet. But a smile on
her lips.
She wanted Chickie near the bed.
She kept saying: "Chickie will you
go again? Are you going back?"
"Mother-no-no-n for all the
jobs in the world"
you mean it, Chiche? You'll
stay now"
"Yes-yes-oh I will"
When she was alone in her own
room she knelt at her bed. She
prayed. LET me stay-let me have
this-Oh, Cod"
And she wouldn't think-she held
her mind closed against the past.
Oh-blot it out--oh. cling to these
two who needed her and wanted her
only that-and never let them
know.
CHAPTER CV
ConvaIescence