The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-06-30
Chapter 20
THE MEETING

if1E MEEtaN1
NNE night when they were dining
~ IN the hotel restaurant instead
OF going out as they usually did,
Bernie Boyd walked f.
George saw her first. broke on in
something she was saying, and
stared and stared at the vision In
white that was slowly advancing
down the room, happily conscious
that she was the center Of all eyes.
There were two men with her, and
Tor one wild moment George thought
that perhaps one of them might be
Nicholas. but of course It was not,
and she caught her breath with a
quick sigh of disappointment.
Bernie was dressed In white chif-
fon with a fieecy wrap Of some ex-
pensive looking fur. and one Of the
men with her was carrying Q bou.
Quet of crimson roses which he
laid beside her plate when they sat
down at their table.
sGeorgie--what are you staring
RtfH Evelyn asked. but almost at
once she saw for herself.
Bernie Boyd! Well, now you
~ee!"
See what?" George asked.
"The attention she GETS" Evelyn
said rather tartly. "That tall man
with her is Lord Silbury The other
suppose is her husband. Why men
viii run after common women is
more than ] can understand. Wom-
en- never run after common men.
They are far too sensitive"
Il wish she'd come and speak 70
Us" George said.
There was a flush of excitement
Ia her cheeks. and her eyes looked
darker than usual
II suppose she thinks that st IL
my place to go and speak to her"
Evelyn said Everything is upside
down nowadays. But very probably
ishall go and speak to her. Ishould
like to meet Lord Silbury. You're
cot eating anything. Georgia"
"I'm not hungry" George said.
George looked. at the two men
who were with Bernie Lord Sil.
bury was tall. and thin; Hungry
looking .Georgie thoughts he. re.
minded her Of one OF the Peers in
"Iolantne," Of which she had seen
an amateur performance. Mrs.
Spears had been in the chorus, and
she had given George ticket on
the second and most unsuccessful
night.
The othei man who Evelyn had
vaguely supposed to be Nicholas
was young and fair. and effeminate,
with a waist to his coat and hair too
carefully marcelled.
IF you've finished, Bishop, we
may as well 90 to the lounge" Eve
Ign said.
And II was In the lounge, over
coffee and liQueurs that George
was introduced to Bernie.
my daughter George. she's
film fan. Miss Boyd. She knew all
about you directly / mentioned your
name"
Bernie turned starry. blacklashed
eyes on George.
'How sweet" she said; she
smiled at the girl and sat down be.
side her. bur abe still talked to the
men. seeming 70 single Bishop out
for special attention.
vEoRGEE watched her ~ith D
- feeling OF unFeality.
She was so fair and small. like .
doll.
or course Nicholas must love her.
Men always liked that type Of girl
much better than anyone dark and
brown-skinned like herself
A long mirror on the wall oppo-
site reflected the little group they
made. and George studied 1t vita
Bombrs eyes.
She was wearing a brown frock
tonight which made her look even
darker and more ellln-llka
Evelyn had said It was q clever
touch when the aressmaker Gwh0
called herself Irene. wit an accent
on the second syilahlSl. had sug,
Kested brown.
IF you are sunhurnt, ron might
as well make use OF C Instead ot
trying to hide g." she told George.
~You'rs brunette ana cali never
be anything else. 90 We must make
the most Of IT.
But tonight George hated her
self: hated her dark eyes. and her
thick wavy hair. and longec 70 be
falr. and all pink and white like the
KirI beside her.
Even Bishop looked ~ Bernie cd.