The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-01-02
MARKS PLAN

mhhN'S FEHN
MARK" exclaimed Barbara.
ava Mark, who usually at this
hour permitted himself a dressing
gown, was In dress-clothes, tie the
perfection of exactitude. delicateiy
pleated shirt and pearl cnff-links,
Only his crutch was the crutch of
common everyday and even that
managed to enhance his good looks
and give appeal to his halting prog
ress.
What. in heavens name, has got
your"
Il thought I'd have dress-pa-
rade," said Mark. "A chap like Armi-
tage gets himself up like this every
night, you know. Has to. or his
friends might forget what perfect
little gentleman he is. Only, his
lothes fit him most excellently well
Ind this whole things wrong.
u was fool not to see 1t at once"
He made his way to Barbara's chair
and sank into it. Barbara came
swiftly across the room and caught
the crutch as he let IL sway towards
her. (He still had not met her eyesD.
"Armitage, of course. will expect
the sort Of get-up they wear in
La Boheme'-velyet coat and soft
shirt open at the throat and dove
grey trousers, strapped under the
instep. God, shan't l look a fool!
But after all. he'll be paying for
it,
Mrs. Lodely, not knowing whether
Ito take this seriously or not, foEnd
efuge in irrelevant sunrise.
well, / don't 6now--I always
think .vca looked nice in fancy
D'you remember that time
leila Cane took you to an Albert
Hall carnival or somethiR up in
London and you were an old man
with a barrel-organ and she was a
'gypsy-daneer in green chiffon,
chained to your wrist? You ought to
have had a prize. ! thought, goin'
all that way. And / remember after.
wards I asked her IL she enjoyed
herself and she said no. she hadn't
particularly =
Strange" unused Mark, family
smiling. ~ remember that enjoyed
myself. quite"
Barbara. still holding the crutch,
still looking at him, began absurdly
to tremble. She knew that when her
trembling passed into her hand the
crutch would begin to rattle on the
floor and Mark would turn his faint,
dreadful smile upon her.
She saw his smile as through an
emerald mist; sensed, for moment,
how lightly the Jewel had lain upon
flesh that was smooth and bare. /.
The crutch was tap-tapping; an ir.
ritating. intrusive rhythm.
'oh. thank YOU" said Mark DO.
litely. He took the crutch from her
shaking hands, slowly and painfully
lifted IL across his knees and propped
II up next to him, against the man
telpiece. THANK you. oughtn't to
have troubled you to hold it."
Mrs. Lodely had returned to the
FIRE.
IF we do go up to stay with Mr..
Armitage s'pose both OF us,n need
a bit OF smartenin'."
"Wait till we're at Brandish Place
and I'll get clothes from Armitage."
''My dear boy. he's not goin' to
keep us In clothes and pocketmoney
Just because he's asked us to come
and spend a few days with him!
And besides you can't take money
from a stranger-it's thunderin' bad
form"
"oh, but I'm expected TO behave
badly. my Judy. Really he'll bescha.
grlned IL 1 don't. Besides. shall
jest have got married to Barbara.
Large hearted he-nen like Armitage
never refuse a little pecuniary as
sistance to a weaker brother ON his
wedding-day."
There was a pause. Then Mrs.
Lodely leapt gladly into the breach.
There, now, told Babs you could
get married on Thursday just rs ar.
ranged. IL you did II before we start
for Town! I'm sure IL you do It first
thing on Thursday Babsll be quite
satisfied. won't you BahsY"
HAS Barbara been dissatisfied be.
cause | haven't married her yet?''
Now you know well enough 1
never meant anythin' like that!'