The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-06
IUS II GHPV hIIt "
90 ON WITH THE STORY


She turned suddenly from him,
biting her lips. They walked to the
top of the hill. Jake patted her
hand.
ain a few months, Helena dear,
you will look at things coolly. why
some of the richest and happlest
natures I've ever met had plenty
to regret. What of it? We live
and we learn. When Life hands
us a Jolt the only way We can get
even with her is to straighten up
more squarely than before. Jake
swung the giant shoulders: and
YOU tell me I don't know-why you
little white darling, I've gone che
curved read and I do know
"Oh-but a man, Jake-it makes
no difference with a man
"And it must make no difference
with YOU. I'm telling you some
thing. You're not to come up here
ana make friends with the lakes.
When you're lonely, sit We down
and write to an old dog. And listen
to me, Ielena-how would it be II
you were to pick up with few ola
ladies, carry them a bunch of daisies
of a Saturday afternoon? Or, Ill
tell YOU, take yourself down to
hospital and cast a few smiles at
old cronies that have come to the
end of the road If I were an old
buck on the last lap and one he
lena Bryce came over and gave me
q smile. I'd like that! I'd like it
mighty we'll
She said, turning to him with
shimmering eyes: "Jake-if all the
world was like you
He laughed. We'll be so busy
hiding the cross in our own eyes
we'd never see the beam in an
others. That's it! But you do
that. will you Helena? And you'll
find that many doors are opened
and they'll lead to broader sweeps
than a friend Of mine of several
years ago could ever have entered. y
why, Jake
"Oh-she was such a pretty
darling"
She looked at him sharply. you
mean L was SO SidllOW <AIiU 81
vain? And so tickled with myself?'
He squeezed her hands: And
such a love, Chickie, dear
But I'm all that yet, Jake. 1
Just am. And all these things you've
said show it. I haven't really tried
to fight have I? I'm just as weak
as weak. Only I know it now
"No-not weak. But just new
to this upgrade road. You'll have
to throw her into second to make it.
And you will. Helena, shall I tell
you something? I was half afraid
to come that morning. I never
thought to find you quiet and
strong"
"Oh-and I wasn't! I leaned and
leaned on Jonathan. I made him
bear it all"
81 saw for myself, Helena. I didn't
hear you say a word OF blame;
single excuse"
"Ho 1 hadn't any. I did it all
myself. All of it, She swayed
little, clasping her hands against her
mouth, half murmuring to herself;
Don't think-hush-"
Jake drew her. With his arm
about her shoulder he took her
hands, pressed them in his palms.
eve thought of that day lot.
Helena dear. I've thought Of an
other day, too. Would it hurt too
much if 1 speak of it?"
"You couldn't do a thing to hurt,
Jake"
"Well-it was that Saturday you
bumped against us in Washington
St., and I made you come to lunch.
About a year ago-you know when
I mean?"
ooh" The stabbing her throat
made it hard to breathe. Did she
know? That awful Gay when she
had waited in the office till Stella
and Janina were gone; the day she
gave up hope because no word had
come and she half knew none ever
was 70 come.
''Efow pale you were, Helena dear,
and the gallant bluff you made.
Suppose / am man; can't I know
that that was hard? Can't I know
the crit II took and the strength?