The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-08-01

-" and then. half crying-"you are
kingly: Jake
"And what does that mean. Hell
ena? VIII you have me-quick-
God bless you and out with it,"
ooh, no"
mo? His face grew very pale,
and the hands clasping hers. shook.
He asked in a husky, quiet tone:
why, won't you, Helena?"
She was faint because OF a panic
4 in her heart and the sudden burn
ing of old, crushed fires. She said:
Don't talk to me of this Jake. Oh,
it seems so strange. And never
thought never dreamed you felt
So"
II do. Chickie. I've known it a
long time. Listen to me now,
won't your" He was smiling and
vivid again. i've thought it all out,
your side as we'll as mine. What
chums we are, Helena dear, and
what good times we have. You en-
joy them. Yes, you do. And / can
give you everything you want
things you always should have
had"
Gayety, like a TRUMPET note; came
into his voice: why, Helena, dear,
can even be what you might want.
I'll let you teach me! You've more
than half done it already-don't you
know that?"
She raised her chin, glancing long
into the wooing, handsome face.
Then she said with a proud, wistful
pathos: And now you think you
want to marry me? Oh, really, Jake?
But it's just the kindness in you
it's just the greatness!"
Its the want of you, Chickie,
and nothing else. Do you think I'm
boy and I don't know what want?
I've had time enough, God knows.
I've watched you and hungered,
wanting you more each day"
Now wait, my dear" he reached
over and drew her hands. "Wait-
this is the first time your friend Jake
ever spoke Of marriage. ="
She smiled with an attempt at
lightness: "Then you better stop,
Mr.. Jake, because it would be sad
if the first time should also be the
last" her voice broke-"Oh-Let
us go on as we were. Wasn't it
very pleasant? Oh, it's better-it's
the only thing for me"
; why do you say that?"
Because things in me are dead
It's not that I'm unhappy"
Nothing in you is dead, Helena,
dear. Life is too strong to go down
with one little blow. You are living
enough for me. You are dear enough
So that's that. Why in few months
you will forget you ever grieved, !
had an idea, Chickie, that we'd take
long trip Europe, perhaps
You've never been there-new sights
"a new environment-broad
out of all those prejudices of yours
Wouldn't you like that? Speak the
truth, Helena?"
You mean Europe?"
IT mean Europe and Jake-the
two of them. ;"
She raised her hand stealthily and
wiped her eyes.
You're not crying, Chickie? Now
listen-why should your
~ don't know. Everything-l
guess. And I'm thinking this, Jake
you may love mech, I think you
do-no one could be so very magnifi-
cent otherwise, but underneath you
can't really want to change. Why
Jake, and you made such fun OF
Nicky-oh, you are one to be free
always. You don't know what you
offeri You can't
He gave a humming, exultant
laugh and a mockery was in his
eyes: Underneath didn't want to
change. Who told you that? But
am changed. The beaten ways
have lost their zest and that's what
one Helena Bryce did to me.
Wont you let me talk, Helena?
OF course, I'm one to be free
have been free and blessed each day
of it. They were rich and full
may have regrets, but 1 don't know
where they are. But I'm telling you
lllC UNCONSTITUTIONAL lIl-lulS 1T6G-
dom weighs now like ton-like 100
rusty chains. I want to be rid of
1t. For it keeps pulling me in old,
worn out paths and all the flowers
are trampled.
Helena, 1 ask you most politely,
won't you take off the chains and
let me start on a new road? Why
that ha inc
it would be a gallant thing to know
that my own white darling wanted
me and waited for me. I'd like that
mighty we'll"
She turned her hands in his. She
looked up, pleading. why do you
call me that name. Jake? 1t makes
me want to cry"
"Chickie! Why-do you mean
that? But I will call 1t to you;
will shout 1t to you. You are that
you are better and finer than you
ever were. Now, don't try to put me
In hole, my dear. I'll teach you
a better way to look at things
much better. You are what you are
and I am what I am because of all
that is past-bad and good together.
Don't you know that? If you like
me now, you are liking the result Of
all my high days and my low days
and I love you for all that you
are. Helena, some time ago I
wouldn't have really wanted to
marry you. I would have known
that I would tire"
ITO Re CoufinuexN
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