The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-12-23
Chapter IL
HELPING MARK

IVES, SAID Armltage. inns Is
= good. That isn't. l mean, / don't
care for it; its sentiment seems to
me false. I'm no critic. Of course,
and my philistine judgments will
probably get me thrown out of your
house; but, in the meantime, I'll
buy what like"
He had let the word fall with
great negligence. BUY! His eyes
rested on one of Marks thin hands
and he saw the muscles stiffen for
second. Then he passed to his next
point.
"You must forgive my curiosity,
but why in the world does one find
you in Kings Mallard when there
are Paris and London? Or Rome"
The thin hand, still little un-
steady, indicated the crutch propped
against wall.
"It's not forbidden to use crutch
In Paris or Rome or even in Lon
don" reasoned Armitage pleasantly,
putting aside the three small land
scapes on which his choice had
fallen.
"Ah, but here in Kings Mallard
we have a house to garage the
crutch In" explained the artist. SIN
London, we shouldn't even have
the traditional garrett. Traditional
garrets, In London, come very ex.
pensive.
Also" his fair head cleaned In
the firelight as he made one of his
bafied moyements-'1 know pretty
accurately how good l am; which is
to say that know how good might
have become if there had been
money enough to take me and my
crutch out OF Kings Mallard. Those
landscapes" he touched Armi-
Itage's selection-''are quite nice;
quite distinguished. But they don't
even begin to represent my real
work"
do you do any portraits?"
Mark smiled
"I've tried some portraits"
Armitage. quietly opening his
Icheckbook, was remembering Leila's
answer to the same query. "Por.
traits-yes. When he feels cruel
enough" There was, however, no
cruelty for the moment Visible in
the curve OF Marks pale, rather
pouting HIPS. He seemed, at the
most, amused by his recolleetions
EArmitage made out check that
was neither charitably large nor
tiInidly small.
What are you going to do with
the landscapes?" asked Mark. .ac.
lcepting tho check without examine
tion. "You may be no critic. but
you know enough not to hang them
near your others.
"I'lI take your advice on the mat
lter.s
"How can ! give It when ! haven't
seen"
But, of course, l hoped you
would como and see. If you and
Mrs. Lodely would stay with me in
town for bit, ! should be delight
cd. Ny house is in Brandish Place
I'm going back there tomorrow.
Would next Thursday suit your"
He rose, his purchase under his
arm. His attitude was now at It's
most negligent, but he was i'm.
mensely alert. Mark. so far so
easily handled. might suddenly
from some unaccountable instinct
sense q purpose behind this friend.
illness. He held his breath. He
wondered, belatedly, II outspoken.
ness would. after all. have been bet.
ter. Il want to take your girl from
you-your Barbara. | warn you,
I'm going 10 try" Something like
that9 lie gazed steadily at the
thin figure upon the couch.
"No." said Mark. signing. @rm
afraid next Thursday isn't posi-.
Bile.
TOO hadl Well. We must fix ND
something else some other
time Armitage became amiably
vague. I'm leaving the country for
the winter months but no doubt
we shall meet again" lie looked III
his watch. Il say. Miss ouentln's
been waiting four minutes al
lreadyi"
-She won't mind II you tell her
you've been buying my pictures
Marks iids had fallen again and Sc
was tearing dinsy thread from
the rug that covered him. ~She has