| Show i N J ii I C C K K I E I I I By Elenore C C 0 H i q 4 I a JI Copyright by Elenore I I P I. I 1 l s Sweeter Than an Angel t tT T She w was s the only child they had t were old these two j Often orten len they looked at her then at atTiA TiA each other Their eyes filled med with te tears rs Chickie the the Chickie the father rather called cled her that Sometimes at night she Would Would go In and sit on his bed patting patting pat pat- ting his big hand telling with wit a hundred airy affectations all al the news of her day asking favors naming little gifts gits that he might bring to her Now it I was that lary ry her dear dear chum got a aa h a ew wrist watch much watch much smaller hers And I was just wondering Jona- Jona 1 m darling if I you could have half hal In h taken off of mine Think you uld cute cutie cute cute-cute he called cled him all aU al funny runny names l that pinching his long mus- mus into a knot knot leaning over O him f un nd laughing all al the time Jonathan Bryce listened and chuckled t his whole body tingling I love i k That Chickie o of ours he would say ay to the mother afterward That C r 1 And Md she lying In the dark at b ht his side felt as though threads treads of gold were cast cst from rom his heart hert to hers ners rs because of this last child of theirs thefts Ah Au God Is good to us us she murmured Whenever they talked of the mother said sid this quite i qute loud to make sure that God would hear Ever ver since Chickis sister had died died she did this She had an idea that that God was almost hovering about listening that He ue 5 praise prise and because of It i would be to them now He would leave I them their Joy in Chickie He rould 5 r remember member the wound burned t red and ever living in their hearts That once already they had knelt beside a narrow bed and felt el their Lc Ittle thing thing their their dear child thing thing- grow gow cold within their arms And saw tw the tiny tny hands relax the little I fr y face ce turn gray gry and still Oh they V new it all al and the ache that comes k 4 J to o dwell forever In the thought Ai i Only was left leU them They poured out their hearts' hearts love on her AS Roo o much so perhaps for tor it was wasI 5 I almost an to them 4 Like time she made her conformation con- con the formation the dress the dress the veil vei She kept her eyes down I i ble ker ler hands Joined and walked so ly In the dim church her gold Jety was a halo Jonathan strained forward orward in the I pew ew drowned In a warm tide of fj F i Ike Like a young angel angel sweeter sweeter than 1 a prayer pryer oh that's what 1 she was was that that Chickie o of his his his-he he ached with wih love v At these times a superstitious him short like a knife I i fear fer stopped slopped cleaving to the bone What If I v something were to happen to tot t He felt fel that he would rip out his veins and empty them of blood all al 1 In a a moment rather than any hurt ito to her 1 j She was 16 a 16 16 a bright capricious thing Pretty and flippant but sweet as a song T 7 10 J She was at the age to see ad- ad In the merest trifles trifles trifles-al- al al- al Jw t tingling with some delicious i ys s 's wih vivid Sf excitement whispering some secret Even so little a thing as i of boys on tho the passing a n group way from rom school school She he and her chum I Mary Iary Blake I up the tha the hill hi together When t Chickie drew near the corner cOrer where je tic c young oung boys stood with their thrust In their pockets her heres 4 es danced dance She pinched Marys Mary's m all al In a flush fush saying lurry urr Oh heavens Mary Iary lets let's r r rush ish sh The nerve They're just staring s f Mary lary blurted hotly hoth Ill Il not irry rry an Inch Dont Don't be so silly siy Yi give me a pain Chickie jut But ut Arthur was there Did you youl l sT 10 him Mary Well Wel I should throw a fit t be bel bete be- be ji l te Arthur Sontag stands on the ner er Ickle pink to her temples still o of the dozen lifted eyes e herself J hersel floating along in In a am aShe im m She felt Celt sorry Mary r 1 ry ry y was asleep Mary was a e. e Mary did not walk airily as s s she Chickie did os t h She f.-She had come now to a vivid o the the time of her first dance Arthur Sontag was to take her t ey had argued arged about It for tor forys a ys lys s. s those two the mother and ather ther Should they let her go young young Just 16 but she wanted so Why she would just die If I te e said ald no So it was decided id d wild wid with wih excite excite- erit went vent about in a continual I excie-I ert r. r Suddenly now she jobbed bed Marys Mary's arm Mary lary sup- sup I p rase I should be a wall wal flower fower lar shrugged with wih a little hint fT contempt adding sharply Oh td d I l didn't suppose you'd worry a out our at that it t were you ever a wall wal flower f drys 1 ris ri's fine ne Intelligent face ace ed She remembered hasty d d' d embarrassed flights to the jessing essing room She remembered tins In the dance hall hail hal In an at- at jide de of a strained stained smile smie l her lier glancing about as vl b r lips Ups t e. e expecting any moment a 7 1 z partners to arrive e. arl S Oh Ob I I generally manage to have hae ha e a d dance e- e or two I But the very f how how how was then Why you look so Mary Im I'm Im not the only e e. e to worry I nearly died to- to Dolly Doly Bacon con had that lit Ht- U- U Ue e Stella Stell Brown In a corner comer corer andr and s. s telling her Just how to make maket r t She said sid Now all al you have havel l Io o Stella Stela Is Just say every ever m idiotic thing that comes into t c head And be sure to keep a all al the time Mary Jary considered this advice mindful o of the enviable popularity MIss Dolly Doly Bacon She comment- comment t tartly Well Wel l I it proves what said Men arent aren't worth l ive i've always alwa's sid bothering with wih I wouldn't degrade trying to please them v burst of They reached the steps Chickles h home home home-a me a little yellow cottage cottage cot cot- tage with peaked roof set back a little so that there was a small email y garden wih with a border o of pink cow cow- slips On jle the he left was an ell elI el Through Though th this window now golden lr th the sun they saw Jennie Bryce and she was sewing She was making dress soft thing of blue with wit little silver auver siver sil au- si- si ver flowers worked into the fabric She had been sewing on it for tor days day loving 10 the stitches her heart growIng growing grow grow- ing young oung with wih the work The two girls watched her in silence Then Mary said I l suppose suppose sup sup- pose pose your dress is most moat finished Chickie Come me in Mary ar Ill I'll Il try it on n me They did this every afternoon Mary Iary standing aside and giving hypercritical hy h- hy- hy suggestions the suggestions the mother moth moth- er plump uncertain pushing her spectacles back on her nose nose nose-ex- ex excited cited because was so ra radiant r- r ra- ra diant her diant-her her dint her eyes eye all al shining so Finally 1 the night of the great adventure ad came Jennie was in a flutter flute Now ow and then she bit bi her lips dear she pleaded in her agitation stand still sti or-I or can never ne er find nd the clasps But Jennie darling for darling or darlng-or for pity i sakes wont won't you hurry hurr Ill I'll Il be belate belate belate late The Tie dances will wi all al be gone Oh Oh mother Inside o of me is Just all al jumping Oh I dont don't know what to ao o Suddenly she remembered Doly Dolly Bacons Bacon's tried and tested formula formulator for tor bringing the young male to his knees She began to think of ot all al the funn funny idiotic things she had ever heard hord Jennie caught a forgotten thread back There she sighed stepping from rom the bureau her plump gen- gen ie e face race ros rosy with wih pl pleasure asure Ah well let well quick quick let your father rather see see see- gave a little gasp of or Joy forgot the rule for tor making hits his entranced at her own o Image in the mirror She drew her hands to together together together to- to gether Tn m ecstasy Mother Do DoI I I really realy look like that Oh heavens 1 She Sheran ran In and stood before her fathers fathers' chair nervous nervous nervous waiting for tor forthe forthe the glow to light up his face race He put down his paper surveyed her with rejoiced but astonished eyes ees Chickie Why how up grown-up you seem Ill I'll Il be blessed Oh Jonathan angel If i you only knew how perfectly gorgeous 1 feel She laid her soft cheek against his running her fingers through his hair hall I feel all al springs springs all springs springs-ai all full ul o of bubbles Hurry I Iou you ou you come to the door with wih me me- me me He went reluctant He watched i her running down the steps with this young Sontag He heard her laughter rippling back caught back caught the kiss she blew to him He leaned on the knob suddenlY knob suddenly heavy and old oppressed with wih a sense of ot loss x not a child any more more he heId said Id to the mother when they they t o two sat st alone in the sad quiet that night Xo No Jennie answered softly softy We had had no right to let let her hergo go S Why Jonathan We couldn't keep her little always He gave no answer but sat wih with his arms folded over his news news- paper Later Lter when thy they th y lay awake listening listening listen listen- ing for tor her key In the door he said abruptly I wish It I was a son we had had had- Jennie trembled with wih the shock She repeated stunned A son I Why Wh I It I would be easier with a son son son- What do you mean Well Vel things arent aren't like they were when you ou ou were young Jennie Jennie- Terror like a little live lve thing crept through herBut herBut her But Jonathan Jonathan- For two hours he h hatt hU lain there tormented by his imagination In his excitement he sat up In the bed shaking S But I wont won't have it I. I Jennie I Itel Itell Itell tell tel you ou I wont won't have It not carry on on- on Jennie sat up and faced raced him pale with wih fright rIght Suddenly she gave a little gulping laugh Why Vh Jonathan Jona Jona- than than poor poor fellow elow You must be crazy He gr w red and Sheepish Just the same Jennie I I see plenty to tomake tomake make nake me worry Her hand went down own In quick comfort to his After Ater a gong Jong pause she said Yes Jonathan Jonathin ong but we cant can't keep her from rom life carl cari car we He slid back on his pillow stirring stirring stir stir- str- str ring uneasily His child yes child es yes He would have wound his great arms hard mud about her keep her keep ner ner from rom romme life me S And she was running Into it It- It I- I I reaching out white eager hands that beckoned that beckoned that called caled In rapture Hurry Come heart Come heart glad glad glad- senses quivering Off Oft to her first dance dance and and with I Arthur Why Mary Iary would have given an eye to be hurrying down the hill hU to the school auditorium with Arthur Sontag holding her arm She took quick short S steps giggling giggling gig gIg- gling saying between times Im Im so nervous nervous oh Arthur If I Im I'm Im a wallflower Ill I'll Il die You Well Well any Yel any old time Youre sure I wont won't be le Well am I That lifted her up They sailed saied Into the dance hall hal wrapped in a cloud j f music She was laughing all an the time When th the first dance began she had her pr program gram filled med I And names nameH all al over me tte back Arthur Arthur Arthur Ar Ar- thur Think Think- o of it I I Well sure surel More softly softy Say your youre youre you're the prettiest girl on the the floor foor The blood rushed In a hot tide to her face She kept her eyes down Youre silly sly Arthur But youre you're pretty Chickie I He kept l at her until all an anthe the little springs inside began to bubble Say youre you're prettier than ever ever ever- Afterward he scratched names from rom her program and put his own Inthir in their thir place In the fifth rUth number the popular Dolly Dony Bacon Bacon- Bacon passed She was dancing dancing ing with wih Bert Otis Ote They were same height and had their cheeks touching Chickie looked away and nd then back Just in time to see Dolly Doly I raise rile her face and carelessly take a kiss Bert Otis gave Oh she gasped You ou got that Oh no no Dolly Doly got It I Suddenly she was confused and glanced at him startled started He lie was looking down at her with blue piercing eyes with eyes with eyes ces that seemed to flash fash right nto into her heart to to lay it I open with a 1 flame fame Oh Arthur she whispered not knowing what to say because of or orthe the strange half frightened hU Joy that caught her In a hurried Interval she stopped Mary It I heavenly Mary threw back softly Hes crazy about you you you-Chickie- ou Chickie Chickies Chickie's pulses raced They walked homeward slowly slowly- arm in arm arn At the summit cf ct Twenty first and Dolores olores they the paused Below them then the city la lay asleep asleep asleep-a a vast pulsing body q quiet et under Its Is purple purle robe robe behind behind them the whispering darkness o of tIe the park prk i f iThe The night moved about them softly her breath sweet with wih Unuttered unuttered unuttered un- un uttered song Far off oc and hushed the stars chimed in a dim golden symphony Have a good time Chickie i They stood close together on the top of ot the hill hi SIre She Sh felt el his eyes that had suddenly become so beautiful beau beau- fastened on her Oh Arthur she raised Her face knowing half that It was vas near to his his his' and trembled Did you ou They were star staring g at each other She saw his eyes He Ho answered Say say youre you're sweet sweet- Lowered his head ever so little little little- a a ei quick IP light brush JUSh of ot his hia his l lips S on I hers hers half half afraid a eyes yes closed She felt fel that flowers flowers flowers' fowers' fowers dropped about her face soft soft petals stained red and sweet about her mouth S They turned Into Inlo the cloistered aisle Fair Fall Oaks They said noth noth- ing Her eyes were moist She wished to laugh but was afraid arald that she might cry S The life Jonathan wanted want d to keep from rom her opened Its Is wild wid sweet voice I In I 1 Chickies Chickie's heart CHAPTER II I. I The First Love Xo No one could understand the music music music mu mu- sic that opened so piercingly in I. I Chickles Chickies heart healt hear Her mother She couldn't even whIsper whisper whisper whis whIs- I per It I to Jonathan he would laugh She felt Celt herself hersel a being set apart drifting in a warm rosy mist But she slie wanted to talk to Mary It might sIe be that Mary knew of love It n was Saturday So many things may happen on a Saturday She put on her Ir blue sweater with wih the trilled frilled fried white collar colar and cuffs As she looked into the mirror she smiled dreamily prettiest dreamily prettiest girl on the floor she floor she glanced at herself through Arthurs Arthur's eyes When she kissed her mother saying saying say say- ing r T suppose Mary lary and Ill I'll Il go to the movies she wondered if I Jennie Jennie Jennie Jen Jen- nie had ever evel felt fel as she felt Celt Had Jennie ever been so all al caught up In a lovely lovel haze because o of Jonathan Jonathan Jonathan Jona Jona- than whispering In her ear Jennie Jennie Jennie Jen Jen- nie so plump and settled settled settled-ah ah ah no She walked with wih the grace of a happy young princess down Fair FairOaks FairOaks Fall Oaks to the ancient two tory gray house where the Blakes lived Mar Mary was watering the garden holding th the hose high over a stubby old Breath of o Heaven and the white roses climbing up the parlor win win- dow finished Chickie thought gayly her mind g going back back over endless Saturdays when she had waited hour after ater |
