The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-08-11

! with a large and very determined
face. The cap looked insignificant
perched in the middle Of her head
above a mass of straight, rusty
brown hair.
She said abruptly: Miss Bryce
Come right over"
Chickie walked swiftly, stood op
posite Mrs. Ellis and forced hersel
to meet the long intent glance. She
looked into fighting eyes and E
mouth doubled up, the lips wide ant
clenched together. Her hope fell.
But she said: "J've come to Sc,
about transferring"
"Yes-Dr. Ramm told me. Wher
did you wish to enter?"
Outright away, thought-tbat
is-if it can be arranged
well, be seated, Miss Bryce
Well see" Mrs. Ellis pulled the
collar from her wide, muscular neck
and shook it with long: "Whew-
very warm-you want to begin al
once? You'll have to get your uni
forms. I'll give you list Of things
you'll need. You've brought youl
credits and your record, have you?
All this while the boring eyes
were fixed on Chickie's face. They
were like a fire and drew the blood
in bright stains so that even
Chickies throat was burning. She
said: "Yes-1've brought my record. y
Her hand was limp and trembled SO
that she found it difficult to open
her purse. In her mind she was see
ing the pasted sheet Of paper-see-
ing Mrs. Ellis examine 1t.
She held the papers a moment, try.
ing with a maddening effort to eX
plain at least to say: You may not
know why I'm leaving-that Tn
forced to transfer"
Mrs. Ellis reached across the desk,
without a word, Chickie put the
bundle in her hand.
She laid them before her, glanced
swiftly down the report and even
more swiftly turned the pages of
Miss Simonds' letter. She didn't no
tice the sheet pasted; didn't pause
over the discriminating paragraph.
She adjusted her glasses: "Well-a
very creditable record, Miss Bryce.
I'll look it over carefully and see
how the work you have done cor
responds with our course. You're
entirely free to enter, are your"
"Oh-why, yes"
'Wel1-if you want to enter at
once, get your uniforms"
yes 1 will" But Chickie's
brain set up a clashing. Mrs. Ellis
didn't read the recommendation
didn't know. He hadn't told her!
She repeated: "Yes-I'll get the
uniforms"
But she sat there motionless,
knowing well that her testing had
come; summoning her strength to
must face-what she was, she must
admit-a hot obstruction at her
throat kept the breath from her.
Mrs. Ellis said "Well-then sup
pose that's all, Miss Bryce. I'm sure
you'll like it here"
TITS not all, Mrs. Ellis" She
leaned forward, clasped her hands
on the desk, and turned a face now
pitifully white, to the superinten-
dent. She said again: Not isn't
all. You didn't read that letter. Did
Doctor Ramm tell you why I was
transferring?"
Mrs. Ellis, for the first time didn't
look at Chickie. She gathered the
papers. answering ambiguously: "He
said you would bring your record,
Of course. shall go over it care
fully. You may go now and make
all your arrangements"
"No-you don't understand, l
don't wish to have any misunder-
standing" She half stood. She
said with a rush and break in the
low tones: you see-I am not
transferring of my own will. 1 am
forced to transfer. You don't know
that-perhaDs-"
She pointed to the letter. Read
that-you'n have to read that first"
rs it so very urgent, Miss
Bryce?"
Chickie sat down again, her head
lowered. She said quietly: VERY
urgent, Mrs. Ellis. I think I have
a right to finish my course. I think
I have a right to ask admittance.
You may not think so. But I will
have to know. If you don't mind, I
want to know now"
She closed her eyes. She heard
the papers rustic. Infinite moments
passed. She felt as though a great
flatiron went over her heart, press
ing out its life,
When she could no longer endure
it she looked up and saw Mrs. Ellis
rubbing her thumb over the rough,
pasted edges, her mouth more dou-
bled and tightly clenched than be-
fore.
Chickte pushed from the table
She would take 1t gracefully. No
argument, no protest. She felt icy
and stricken, terrible muteness
stealing through her veins.
Mrs. Ellis showed her glasses to
her forehead, then back again hast
lily. She gave Chickie a sharp, chal-
longing look, a CLEAN III the fight
D~~H H.