The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-05-04
By Elenore Meherin
CHAPTER XIX
Anticipation

HICKIE took the noon hour to
shop. Trembling, yet half en-
chanted, she stood the coun-
ter, running her hand through a
delicate pink cloud Of silk and lace
lingerie, the sheerest and most ex-
pensive offered for half price in this
early May sale
When Chiclie read the ad she
thought with d. gay flush: Il may
as well begin to gather things, grad
ually-that's the best way. 1t may
be real SOON"
Now she examined a beautiful set
Of little pleats and insets of hand
embroidered net. Even at/haf price
It was S23. She wanted 1t. She
had nothing as lovely as that. Pulses
tingled at her, ears. She said to
herself: Bridal set--it will be the
best one might as we'll"
But size hesitated and might have
woman picked 1t from her hand say
ing to the saleswoman: Another set
like this? If you have, I'll take it."
And she remained at Chickie's side
waiting her decision. Chickie took
II.
She had it done in a box-tissue
paper. Tremulous with excitement,
as though her wedding day were the
morrow, she went airily back to
work. The purchase engrossed her
thought "F'rightful extravaganza!
What in the world would Jennie say?
Jennie mustn't know. Hide it," She
began to wonder If it was worth the
money, and became troubled about
It that she took the box and stole to
the dressing room for a swift scru-
tiny. 1T was more exquisite than
she fancied.
That night she laid it out in her
drawer and put little pink and blue
sachet bags about it. She was just
covering it carefully when the door
was opened. She faced about, guilt
lily. It was only Jonathan.
lie came in, in his big, clumsy
way, closing the door mysteriously.
She laughed: Cutie comes on a Sc
cret mission? Got some dark plot
afoot?''
He stood at the bureau, running
his knuckles back and forth over the
scarf. "Chickie, did you and Mr..
Munson quarrei?'
"Oh--you goofy old Jonathan, of
course not"
WAS he angry with you about
that night you kept him waiting?"
well hear that! Don't you
know, Johnny darling. I'm the girl
what kicks the crowns, from the
heads of kings and laughs about 1t?
Angry with me-"
why doesn't>he come any more?"
Shall ! ask him? Shall ] de-
nnand to know why he's forsaken
your beautiful darter? Men, you
know, like the weather, like a
change fair and some
times dark.
He took her shoulders and made
her. face him "Chickie girl, that's
not true. Now, he did a great deal
FOR us and T wouldn't like to feel
that you'd been rude to him. Your
mother and I thought he had very
serious intentions. "
"Oh, you did, did you?' Chickie
became nervous, laughing a little
high pitched gaiety. well, imagine
httle Jennie getting such notions.
That's not demure. When 7 was a
girl we wouldn't dream of such a
hing until the man had Hoped to
his knees and said his little piece"
He looked down at her, nodding-
ober you don't want your father
10 know, Chickie? Is this the way
you want to treat me?"
She dropped her eyes before the
consuming, kind love of his. "You
make it pretty hard for me, iona
than. 7 can't help 1t If he doesn't
rome, can I? Men do things like
this"
Ibid he never speak for your"
IF you mean did he ask me to
marry him-well, he didn't"
Because you let him see that you
preferred this boy? Was that the
reason. Chickie? You drove right
up here that night when you knew
he was waiting. I was ashamed Of
that.
"Oh, I didn't know it. Now don't
start in that--that's just like you,
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