The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-07

~~~O'
Barbara"
"At the last minute, Chiche?
I've hardly more than a week. l
asked Mango Binney, the only one
who would do at all. She was huffed
because l didn't ask her in the first
place. She just refused; said her
mother was i'll. You can't ask ev-
eryone to play second fiddle, especial
ly since the names were printed.
But 1 can't, Barbara just
can't"
Barbara's lips, parted with en-
thusiasn1, trembled II thought you
would, Chickie, I thought you'd I'M
derstand. I'll have to change every
thing if you refuse me. You know
I've wanted you right along. You
seemed so glad for me-more than
anyone else. Oh, I thought you
surely would"
"Yes-but you see-"s Chickie
paused. She was now so full OF
memories they seemed sucking her
down into pools, warm, living with
pain. Now it was that night two
years ago, when she had gone to
Bess Abbott's marriage. And, in
hushed, sacred way, Chickte prayed
for the holy moment when they two
would stand before an altar giving
the promises. How. the tears had
come to her eyes because it was so
tender. so beautiful to love. And
how, suddenly, she had found his
hand clasped on hers. That KISS
when he said with his young eyes
all looking into hers: "Ah, frail-1
would it were thee and me- Oh
the fame and the purity OF that
sweet, lost emotion!
Barbara eyes were lighted with
it; the same, same thing.
But there came other days; that
hour Of crucifxion when she had
ridden to Oakland. She knew she
would have to go away-and alone.
So she bought the wedding ring. Ho
she had wanted marriage! Even
then, with the glory Of it gone. 1t
was kind, protecting thing. Why,
she had gone to him and asked for
it..
She had been denied Could she
stand up now with another at the
glad, full tide; stand up and smile;
not think at all; not go back and
take again the desperate hurt?
No
She said, not raising her eyes, but
borne away with these thoughts and
needless of her words: How could
[, Barbara? I never could at all"
"Oh. why? Why, Chickfe? Just
because you work in my fathers of
fee? But Paul's sister works. How
can that count? I care more for
you than for any girl I know. We
seemed so near that month at
Winetka. I should think you'd
really want to stand with me-"
ct would, of course Chickie
braced herself, strained for an ex-
cuse. What about Edith?"
Barbara's eyes were soft. Now
they lighted and filled: rs that it,
Chickie? Oh, is it?''
"Oh. we'll"
"Why-she's frightened to death.
She was coming herself to ask you.
She's afraid things won't come out
right now, and it will be her fault.
So. you see"
Really"
"Oh, yes! So will you? You will,
CHECKER"
Chickie reached for her purse. She
smiled family, fighting grimly for
self control Lets go, then, Bar
bara. It's quite late"
ooh, you darling thing" Barbara
caught Chickie's arm. pressed it. The
eager joy of her look made Chick
lie vince. "I know you will now
won't your"
"All right-oh, all right"
Barbara said warmly: you've just
saved everything! You're just too
darling for words!"
At the boarding house Chickie
didn't go into the dining room
She walked rapidly and softly-from
the bureau to the bed, then to the
window.
In her mind was an image of her
self in the shimmering gown OF
blue, the great picture hat, Barbara
said she was to wear This image
looked at her with pale lips and
wide, frightened eyes.
She stood at the window, press
ing her hands against the sill. In
the back yard Willie stretched at
full length, his nose stuck penstvely
between his paws. Her image
pressed at her shoulder, bewildered
and accusing: "Why did you prom
Use? You can't! Oh, you know
that"