The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-05-13
CHAPTER LXIT
BaTTy's Return


RI HICKIE was like one with
raw cash on her arm. 1t
~ hurt her so, she was i'm.
PEELED to stop now this one, now
that, seeking some anodyn to kill
It's pain.
When she spoke to Jimmy all
unaware he struck his hand across
the wound. Now Janina dropped
ointment. She took 1t with a pitiful
demonstrating more.
Janina. sitting opposite, cool and
handsome. insisted calmly that she
did the things Jimmy considered so
terrible" Yet Janina puffed ci-
garet, blowing the smoke with de-
llcious satisfaction, exulting in ev-
cry breath life gave her. She was
not crushed. Indeed not!
Chickie said with elaborate in
differences Makes it nice for pretty
ladies', doesn't 1t? Only why do they
need to do it?"
What do you mean, need?"
Pretending to smile at the young
sters who were now clapping their
hands as an immense birthday cake
was brought to their table: well,
there's still such a thing as mar
rlage, isn't there? They could wait
for that, couldn't they?"
hooking laugh: Yes, like dear
old Stella did! Marriage. my dear,
is luxury the gods do not give
to all. Not enough men to go
around and not enough Of what
there are. inclined to the holy
state"
Janinas lips curled with sar
donic humor; "One way you look
at It, isn't convention vicious
thing7 It's a matter Of actual
statistics that women far out
number men. So some Of the best
get left, Take Stella, for example.
Now she'd make q peach Of a
mother, and you know how wild she
Is for kids. Along comes some
pretty nonenity and grabs off the
man Stella had staked out as her
own.
Now, ask you-is It anything
but vicious to shove poor old Stella
into the frigid zone and shout at her:
Stay there You get left And
would anyone but a boob like this
same Stella heed such an order?"
Chickie's own problem was too
sore and too pressing. She was not
interested In Stella. She said; But
when two people each love Janina,
there's not much reason why they
shouldn't wait for marriage, Is
there?"
Might be a thousand reasons
why they'd be fools to wait Love
doesn't always walt on circum-
stances, you know. But why ask
me? I'm beyond the pale! Marriage
hasn't been anything In my young
life."
Has love, Janina? You've never
really told me. You mean now that
you loved and you thought you had
the right?"
ANIMALS strong. brilliant
face paled as it did when she
N was suddenly and deeply
moved. After pause she said biting.
ly: Being rather primitive, ole
dear, didn't wait to ponder the
right and the wrong"
Excitement rose swift and hot to
Chickie's throat. She said eagerly:
"Oh, 1t swept your
''I'r say 1t didr'
Afterwards were you sorry?'
I'm not sorry now and I wasn't
then"
Not at all? Not even In the
very beginning?' Unoonsciously
Chiolie leaned forward, her eyes
glittered.
Janlna regarded her with hard
amusement: why so interested in
this recital OF crudeness and wrong,
little one?'
Chictde stammered, flushing pain
fully: 1T wasn't crude at all, then.
And when you love a person I sup
pose II makes a difference. doesn' I
it?''
Usually happens that way. All
young and trustful once, you know. .
DO you mean that you were to
be married and then something hap
pened? Oh, that must. be dreadful
Maybe ] had a sneaking hope OF
that. though marriage didn't enter
much into the consideration. Well
L was quite some time ago"
An odd softness crept into the
clear. incisive voice: Know why
I'm telling this to you. angel face?
Wen. I'm fond OF you. And ! hate
contempt Even though it gives me
an ache and can see the fool by
pocr1sy Of IT.
oh, don't feel contempt for you.
Janina-"