The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-12-31
Buying Barbara


. . . . . Q . . . 30 o - %
fused, at the last, to marry Max.
In the dream there had followed a
sharp fear and then the decision to
speak. 'Babs, IL you'll marry him.
there will be money. A lot OF money
So familiar had the give and take of
the dream become that it had by its
very familiarity betrayed her.
Betrayed her: for. as Barbara's
eyes opened and fastened themselves
upon her. she grasped her mistake.
Barbara had not meant that she re-
fused to marry Mark.
what money, Judy?"
"My own m-money," she said. slut
tering a little as she often did when
making q great effort to concentrate.
"Its precious little but I've bin
thinkin' that it'd help you If Mark
had It. Keep him in canvas and oils.
He's always borrowed ~ much of it
as he could, anyway"-her laugh
was ruefui--.best make It over to
him entirely. Especially now we
know he's blown his Aunt Alice's
legacy"
But what on earth do you pro-
pose to i've on yourself IL you give
your income to Mark?"
Il thought p'raps 1 could get a
| Job somewhere. Somethin' to do with
horses and dogs. OF course. 1 sup.
pose TO you ! seem a pretty useless
old hulk" she was slipping into a
iwhine-"bgit I've been told dozen
times I'd have made q wonderful
kennel-woman. rye had It In mind a
long time. Give me somethin' to do
when you've taken Mark away"
II think you had better find your
job before you part with your in.
come" said Bal ara ianguidly.
THANKS for s3e advice!" Mrs.
Lodely retorted. "But, y'know. your
generation doesn't always get the
laugh Of US old 'uns. was out in the
world before you were in your cradle
and I don't need teachin' the alpha.
bet just because you're scrapin' a
Twin as a dressmaker." She felt
her face grow red and made last
clutch at her self-control. However
there's no need for US to quarrel.
don't want to quarrel, Pm sure"
She pumped herself by the hearth
and poked violently and unskil.
fully at the fire. When she had re-
duced . quite pleasant flame TO a
thin plume of smoke, Barbara took
the poker from her and coaxed
back life and light to the embers.
Her lips remained closed.
whats the matter with your"
shot out Mrs. Lodely. "Sayin' nothin'
like that Is Jolly nearly sulkin'
Babs. and sulkin' is a trait hate in
anyone. For PHYS sake. don't you
start any moods--Mark's are more
than enough for mel" Her confidence
in herself was by now reestablished.
.Im sorry II / was .. bit hasty. !"
she apologised. Sim upset myself by
all Marks shiliy-shailyin'."
IL you haven't talked to Mark
since last night" asked Barbara.
after q pause. "iiow do you know
that he il going to London on Thurs
day?
Mrs. Lodely found herself meekly
explaining.
"Why. he--Tarrell Armitage--
told me about It just as you and ne
we're gettin' into his car! I thought
IL was q bic odd OF him"
II see / think hear Mark
moving about upstairs
II don't. ... didn't you like our
young millionaire. Babs?"
'Don't you think it is rather OF.
fensiEe perpetually to refer to him
In that way2"
well, I'm dashed!"
Barbara had sprung to her feet
and only by q miracle did her chair,
pushed violently back. miss the
riekety china-eabinet behind her.
The wild-rose flush had gone from
her cheeks. She looked white; wild
reckless, at bay. -. She walked un,
steadily 70 the window and peered
out between the heavy. dusty cur
tains.
Il didn't get any sleep last
night" she said. "I'm sorry. Judy
dear. I've worked al day. I'm tired
out
Mrs. Lodely took long breath.
This was more like Il.
She turned in her chair.
"What did ron do with the MIL
with Farrell Armitagefs she asked.
The words came TO Barbara
through such q fog Of fatigue and
dismay that they caused her no EN-.
barrassment whatever. Vaguely she
guessed that Judy, at least, would
never again really matter. oh, II
only she had someone to hold on
to. Someone strong.
In any case. there was no need to
answer Judy. because Mark was
coming down the stairs.
tcopvrssAt. ssss. J,4lSa CIsft- Aadaas,
AApA n.Ss - ~. . ...., 80 &