The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-04

smoothed the frilly collar of Chickie' s
sport suit he whispered, Il could
teach you thing or two about steal
ing, Helena. 1t looks as though I'll
have to-"
They drove out Sheridan Rd.'
Chickie gave a little cry. "Oh
I've missed things so much"
Jake slumped down cozily, making
a place for her with his arm. you
missed it, Chickie? You miss home
and ALP"
"Oh, so much"
II had an idea. I'll carry it out
some day." He laughed. II was
coming up here to fetch you with
the car. Oh, it was to be quite fine.
Jennie and Jonathan along. They'd
like it. Chickie, I wonder why you
don't send for thenl?"
ooh, no; I couldn't do that-not
yet, Jake. Well, it would be even
hearder-I mean for them. Yes, it
would They've just anchored where
they are"
do you think Of coming back?"
yes, but then 1 picture myself
getting a job-away from Thirtieth
Street. Then some one remembers
you know how that would be and
how the men would stare and things
they would think. I'd never, never
find any path open then. Isn't
that true?"
For long while Jake was silent.
He kept his eyes on the water, his
hand clasped on hers. He said sad
lY: I'VE don't always know what we
are doing. Helena, I want to ask
this of you-if such a thing happens
and you feel that no paths are
opened, will you send for me?"
She didn't answer, suddenly filled
with foreboding.
Twill your
She said, breathless. you're sorry
for me, Jake. You pity me-"
He smiled. Maybe. Call it that.
But I won't stand by and see Life
play the bully with you. It's an old
trick of hers to lay her clubs on the
white and the gentle. Now listen"
And he began to tell her a hun
bred bright incidents; an old woman
who dabhed in ste cks. He gave her
a tip. She won, played another tip,
cleaned up a hundred thousand, then
asked him, Jake, the lord, if he'd
like to marry her! She'd leave him
all her money
"Now, it was downright hard re-
fusing the venerable dame:; I mean
doing it with eclat-dropping to my
knees and pleading previous engage
ments. Oh, I did it gallant-like.
Overidid it, in fact.
"Well-you remember Nicky? Our
dear old bachelor, Nicky? Trapped!
By a long nosed Jane with. a Sun
day school slit of a mouth. Poor
Nick-never a cocktail again.
Chickie laughed: "More-tell me
more, Jake" She sparkling mag
netism went racing through her
veins. She felt alive; felt young.
She wished this meeting would last
and last-no tomorrow
They stopped and sat hours at the
lakes edge, the breeze but a warm
and tender song about their heads.
They watched until the moon drew
screens of jade and black across her
face. Chickies eyes were full of
tears.
Jake raised his hand and wiped
them. He said, why, Helen, dear?"
ooh, never thought to feel like
this again. Never Jake"
Jake's ; red smiling mouth was
pale.
At the boarding house he said:
Did you think we were to leave
you here and forget about you the
way they did to the lost girl Of the
San Nicolas?"
81 don't know her"
when I take you out west some
day and out in a yacht I'll show
you the island-the rock heap way
off from Santa Barbara where they
left her all alone"
For something that she did, Jake?
For some great sin?"
For nothing at adjust sailed
away and forgot that she was left.
new dress, my dear"
when do you leave, Jake?"
That's a movable feast. Helena. 4"
She went lightly up the stairs,
smiling. She sat on the bed-shut-
ting her eyes so that only the spar
kle and the vividness was alive with
in her thoughts.
Don't think-don't go beneath-let
loose the thousand images, the
thousand contrasts Jake's coming
had so deeply stirred. Oh-it was
enough to have a friend like this
she should be glad.
And she bought the new dress.
She polished her nails until they
shone.
Her face was like a white flower.
It's dark eyes pierced because they
thanked him so. He didn't want her
sad-why should she be? He said:
mo lipsticks any more, CHECKER"
She laughed: II guess I don't
quite suit you, Mr.. Jake. You aren't
pleased that I'm no longer vain"
He grinned. TRY mine, Chickie
wont come off" He brought a
little package from his pocket, made
her open it.
In a gold case with the most deli