The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-08-14
BY Gilmore NIeherin

Then she wondered why lila Moore
had seemed so astonished. Was it
just at the meeting? Or was it be-
cause Chickie and David were to-
gether? Helena Bryce, perhaps, had
no right in such brilliant company
Chickie sat down at the edge of
her bed and considered this. She
remembered her first meeting with
him in the hospital tho day of the
blood TRANSMISSION; and he had
worked with that swiftness; that
surety like an inspired machine.
Then there was the time he had
to amputate the hand of that little
boy How he had fought to save
it-how he had come in the middle
of the night to visit the youngster-
The compassion in his face when
he turned and told Beth Daniels her
baby was gone Oh-the winning
tenderness when he pushed Chickie
aside and finished the dressing him
self.
How had it happened that she,
Chickie, had crossed into the life OF
this lofty, noble fellow; how had
1t come that he noticed her-even
seemed to like her? To think her
deep-even worth asking an opinion
at times?
And how was it that now she was
no longer intimidated by him? That
she was so delightfully."- and warmly
at ease-that her heart had sung
when he put his arm about her be-
cause she was so cold?
Perhaps because he had a way Of
hooking her; because he could laugh
so much or perhaps because of the
habit his eyes had Of glinting at
some uproarious and utterly wicked
joke.
Nearly a year and quarter since
the spring day they had driven down
to Stanford to the track meet-1and
ten months they had been going to
these concerts
Well-she had a right to friend
ship! Even the friendship of such
a man as Doctor David. Why should
any one seem indignant about it?
Why, above all, should Tia Moore
be amazed?
Slowly Chickie began to undress
and slowly the glow Of her emo
tons chilled. Ought she really to
refuse all companionship? Could
she hurt others by her association?
How? Because tongues would
loosen and speak Of things dead?
How would that hurt him?
She turned with q steely resent
ment from these faces and voices
that thronged into her imagination
and accused her. Let them have
their tpaltry say! Let them sheer
she was above them! Far, far above
them. They could no longer touch
her!
When finally she was dropping
to sleep she recalled that Tia Moore
had grown stout-that she was even
matronly in her look; and that she
had less of the bonny sparkle of
those other days
In the morning she awakened
long before 6. In a chill quiet she
reviewed the scene Of the evening.
And she said to herself: He knows
about mel He knows 1 was forced
to transfer. So!''
And in this way she put the re-
sponsibility from her. To make
the more certain Of it's dismissal
she went to theater with him
and to the Palace afterward. She
became blithe without knowing
why
And in her room again, refused
to admit of any recanting. Satur-
day afternoon Janina came out to
visit her. Janina had a suppressed,
vivid look. She opened the books
on Chickie's table. She talked about
Stella Wilson and Nicky and Nicky' s
wife and she kept glancing ex-
pectantly to Chickie.
Finally she said: when is Jake
returning"
ANY time in the next few weeks. "
An uncertain pause, then Janina' s
lip curled: II suppose you know,
ole thing, people have you two
engaged?"
Really, Janina? Nicky was out
here some time ago. He tWitted me
about it."