The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-08-03
CHAPTER LII
Farewell

CHAPTER LII
Farewell
The thought Of Jake remained like
notes of a song in her heart. Ii
whispered more of pain than glad
ness. She saw the rich face, smil
ing, turned to hers with a passion.
ate tenderness, saw it grow pale
when she gave that quick, pathetic
"Oh, nor She trernbA ID and wished
to cry.
At the door Jake said, holding her
hand pressed between both his
palms: Don't answer. Think it
all over, Helena. Take all the time
you want. Think of your side OF
thing" Then with a laugh: but
give me the answer I want. Will
you, little darling? You can"
She was still trembling when she
opened the door of her room, pray
ing that Myrtle would be asleep
that she wouldn't sit up sleepily and
begin to talk. She wanted solitude
now; wanted breathless quiet. Oh
there was much to think about!
Jake wanted her to marry him.
He loved her for all that she was
even for all that had been. He said
this and meant it. That seemed
glorious in him; that filled her
throat with tears. Wanted her now
really did \,
Images Of him, towering, exultant
as he used to swing along Mont
gonery street, the black, flashing
eyes rejoicing in eager, half timid
glances, came now into Chickie's
vision. She remembered that Tues
day after her flight from the party
and he stood before her with his
hat off, the rain gliStening in his
hair. How excited. how secretly
thrilled she was, having this lofty
fellow carry her off like that. And
| how he had listened with such relish
to her flippant talk.
That was when her days were
bright and free. He wanted her
then; called her his little white
darling. But he didn't dream of
marriage.
| 1t was a different Jake as she was
a different Chickie who spoke to-
night; a Jake who had gone his
| lighted way, snatching triumphantly
Of many pleasures, but who now
after much taking. found only a
deeper wanting. He was a stroller
Selling at petals. Now he looked for
a happiness rooted within; some
thing that would flower, yet endure
! He had the look of boy about
him when he said this-he wanted to
know that another, and that other
she, waited and cared and was al
ways there. It drew Chickie. AL
that was giving; all Of the mother
in her took flame. She wanted to
put her arms around Jake; bring
him the gifts he asked. She felt
indeed, that great love for him.
But her mind turned blank and
cold at the thought of marriage. She
stood now at the window, staring
into the Swallowed gardens. She put
her fingers on her lips where his had
pressed. She said softly. with an
aching establishment: HE wants me
really does"
And that made her eyes close be-
cause Of a thankfulness-made her
mind glow with the image of him.
She sat down on the window sill
waiting for this melting tide of feel
ing to ebb-waiting till her thoughts
were calm.
1t was spring now-two years and
more since that January when
Chickie's child was born; nearly
three years since that May when
Barry Dunno had left her. She had
gone a long road.
She looked back at it now in this
arousing moment-she could raise
her deadlock quietly at mountain
tops and stars. She had a right tc
do this-a right to the proudness in
her thoughts.
She was no longer conquered by
q blasting and a coward shame. She
measured her spirit with others ant
knew it was as sound; knew it was
as pure.
Yet she could accept with resolutt
quiet different path than othel
girls her age would take. She could
feel a yearning for a tenderness anC
great beauty of love. But she
could also close her eyes swiftly
with a frightened: "No-not TO
| me!''
! She wanted Jake's friendship
loved the glad hours they spent to
gether. Even her thought woulc
venture no further.
Withal, in the days that followed
his image was forever confronting
her. Now she heard him say will
a gallant tenderness: II ask yol
most politely, will you take ava.
my chains? You can make the mai
finer nor sikh
Then she half wondered if she ha,
a right to consider only herself, o
if perhaps, with him wanting her sc
she should take him
Whenever this phase came upper
most she grew hot and faint.
In her inmost vision she felt tina
to marry Jake now would be sur
render 1t would be accepting hi
wealth, his position, his bigness an,
allowing these to do for her wha
she had determined to do for herself
He could make the world accep
her. She had dreamy pictures o
herself on a steamer bound for Eu
Io1r L,