The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-12-22
Chapter 10
THE CHARMING MARK

rRABs--Mark-this is Mr. Armi'
tage. Mark, you remember Far
Tell Armitage who used to come to
our parties from Upper Mallard
yicarage? That would be while you
were in France, Babs. You weren't
there. Mark, show Mr.. Armitage-
am glad you're not seriously the
worse for your accident" said Far
rell, sitting down near the couch.
He kept his attention upon Mark.
He had bowed to the girl and re-
ceived a welcoming murmur that
was not echoed by her eyes. Then
he had ignored her. But he did not
need to look at her to be aware of
everything about her. The way her
hair sprang from her wide, low
forehead; the way her hands lay
slackly round dark leather case.
I'm glad to have the chance of
thanking you for your timely aid"
said Mark Lodely charmingly. Gar
mitage admitted the charm.) Il
don't often fall but when / do !
feel totally unable to get up again"
Mark, Mr.. Armitage is interested
in your"
Il remember your coming to play
in our garden, Armitage-a great,
hulking brute you were and you
put bigger brute, cousin Of
mine, well into the lily-pond. ]
couldn't sleep that night for joy
"And / couldn't sleep for--well, ]
had an interview with the vicar
when got home" Armitage recol.
lected grimly. Lord, that dear old
man had a wonderful stroke in those
days."
Barbara had turned her face to.
wards him and he allowed himself
a casual return of her glance. The
darkness was passing from her eyes
but her lips still suffered. He felt
great longing to see her smile.
He began to talk easily, entertain
ingly. He had travelled, worked
watched men and women travel and
work@there must be something out
OF all that to make her smile! He
talked through Mrs. Lodely's laugh
and presently she stopped laughing
and became genuinely amused.
Marks negligent charm quick
ened to excitement--to admiration,
His eager comments begged for
more. More life-more fun-more.
more! Only the girl at the IRE nei
ther laughed nor spoke.
Armitage abruptly turned to her,
checking himself in mid-anecdote,
Her syes--and he had been right
about them. they were deep hazel
had grown friendly, rather wistful
Unchallenging. Her loneliness was
like a sudden rush of light and be
meath that and beyond it was his
feeling that she was his. This "a
she-this Is she!"-- He thrust
everything from him but his
strategy.
arm forgetting" he said. II sic
garrulously here while the question
remains unsolved as to- why my
dancing-partner has left me in the
lurch."
The color rose under the white.
petal skin.
you mean me, Mr.. Armitageg
Butt wasn't going to dance to.
night, was I?'' 49,
"NoT Armitage reminded himself
20 be very gentle and casual Miss
Cane must have got confused. She
brought me along to a dance-very
Jolly dance--wlth the promise or q
wonderful partner and then told me
60 cut along and fetch her"
"oh. those little hops at the AS.
sembiy rooms!" cut in Mrs. Lodely,
"People-young people. you know,
subscribe and bring their own part,
ners. Didn't know you were mixed
mp In II. Bahsg"
"I'm a member certainly: Leila
practically insisted. But I've never
danced there. l can't imagine why
ehe thought l should tonight She
looked with a quiet simplicity to
wards Mark.
aren't you Leila's partner. Armi,
tagelr smiled Mark.
no. I'm odd man out II Miss
Quentin won't come along said
Armitage, thinking OF the somewhai
startled youth whom Leila had dus
out of his evening studies in order
20 bolster up the situation. .Noi
that that's OF the slightest account
though. II ron don't feel Ike II. Miss
QuentinF"