The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-06-17

said: There are finer things in
store for you, Chickie. That's why
1t happened.
Chickie hid her face against the
little fellows head. She managed,
with laugh: 'Ho. is this belated
coincidence, Mary? You mean that
you know of his marriage and offer
your kind sympathy"
well, 1 read Of it months ago.
felt awful, especially when you
came back locking such a wreck.
Now it occurs to me that there must
be some richer gift"
1T have no doubt of 1t, indeedr'
Mary went on resolutely: well
l believe It, Chickie-I always did
feel that you were born for great
things. I'd forget it'll were you
| forget tt"
Just then Edward snuggled his
head against Chickie's neck. His
nose was cold. He said imperiously:
stop talking-talking- talking-tell
me the story, Chickie-" He twist
ed against her.
She put him on the floor. hastily.
She laughed: You tell it. Mary
have to go-it's late" But she
went back, kneeling on the floor and
suddenly pressed the little fellows
face against her throat. She kissed
him.
Hurrying home, her eyes filed
with tears. She kept saying: For
get it-ho-'' AS she half ran
along she felt a weight in her arms
"a GOODNESS at her breast-the dead
baby's face
@T was the next day that ia
nina called her on the phone.
Chickie was so startled, hear
ing the clear, fine voice-an icy
muteness held her. Janina said:
We'll, old thing-what's the mat
ter?- I've just called your friend,
Mary Blake McPike, to find out what
foul play had happened. She told
me you were back and in the old
place. What's the big idea? Why
didn't you let me known"
OH meant to" Chickie STAN.
mered, wondering if Mary had told
too much-if Mary had let Janina
know that the old folks had never
been, away. IT meant to--but, you
see, Jennie was so ill-they came
back"
"Well-listen-come down to lunch
tomorrow-I've got a bushel Of
news"
"All right-all right"
At every turn fear logged her
fear of Jimmy, of Mary-now of
Janina.
Dressing to meet her, Chickie was
now hot, now cold. Color raced into
her cheeks-left them blanched. She
said to herself, DULY, Some day I'll
give it all away! Lord" A
And she began to think Of the
ranch house; of Agnes Robbins and
the establishment when they found
her gone; the blank question on
their faces when they learned of the
baby's death. She must write to
Agnes-sayN she had been desperate.
ly i'll after her mothers recovery.
Nearly a month now-she would ex-
plain-tell of the horror Of the child's
dying
Tell her she was coming up as
soon AS she was strong enough. She
wished to visit the baby's grave
put flowers there
Janina met her at the restaurant.
Janina's smile was just open well
come. Fine old thing, you are,
Chickie, and you know I love you!
Couldn't you spare moment to
answer? Here. I've just bombarded
that hotel with mail. Why didn't
you leave your forwarding address.
No telling what valuable letters are
lying up there in watt
'1 left in such al hurry
Thank heaven fof Jennie and her
illness if it brought you back-bury
yourself on farm"
II like it Janina."
kid yourself, ole dear-don't
hand me any tall line. You've been
back four weeks, good old Mary
Blake told me-
About that"
Janina leaned across the table.
You're coming out with us this
Saturday night, Chickie. I've got
something choice-a real one-an
honest-to-God man this time. No
I'm not joking, Chickie. He's a
find!' I've saved him for you. I'm
not his type or you'd never get
him
Chickie tilted her chin. Mem Give
him to Stellar'
Janlna's long, white hands, the
hands, the fingers curved back SEN