The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-01-14
Chapter 80
LEILA SPEAKS HER MIND

Chapter 80
LEILA SPEAKS HER MIND
DEFoRE Barbara had time to be
y come frightened a cool voic'
said-"Hullol There you are!"-
and Leila Cane came out into the
hall.
i've beck to your rooms. Your
landlady said you'd moVed'into youl
Toxeter house, but you just might
be here. So I thought I'd chance
finding you. I've come straight
from London"
"Why?" asked Barbara bluntly.
The uncertain light Of the'swing
fng oil lamp showed no flush or
Leila's cheek, but Barbara sensed
that she felt repulsed.
81 didn't mean to sound snubby, d
she amended, though without haste
"Only ! wondered what you could
have to say to me that was so i'm.
portant." She caught her, breath
sharply. There's nothing wrong
with Mark?"
Marks IN clover. -. Have you
dealt with all this junk by your.
self"
eyes,"
"Just like Mrs. Lodely to swing
It all on to you"
"That's not for you to say, Leila. "
Leila was unabashed. She turned
back into the sitting room and eyed
the fountain pen and the papers.
She was dressed in the golden tan
leather coat and hat In which she
looked so supple and invulnerable
and aloof She picked up large
sealed envelope torn at the edges
and weighed it absently in her hand.
"You forgot these, Barbara"
mo. There was no room. must
take them in a separate parcel. I.
oh, that big envelope has split! ]
suppose there was too much in it."
Leila TUNED 1t over carelessiy
and 1t split further. 1t had been
ridiculously crammed.
Barbara, came down to urge
you to do Patsy RaouI's house"
II don't think you bothered 10
hnd me just to ask me that
Barbara was scernful and because
she was also tired to the point or
collapse she let her scorn show.
She began to put Mrs. Lodely's pa
pers together, placing one ill-tied
bundle upon the other. Leila's hand
went out and stopped her.
'sBarbara-" she sounded al.
most moved, for Leila-"We used to
be friends as children. Why do you
hate me so?"
Il don't hate YOU" she protested
Exactly"
IL think you do--exactly. And
you've no reason. What is it.you've
got against me?'
Il suppose that resent--what.
ever there is-between you and
Mark"
There's nothing between US now.
And for what there once may have
been, blame Mark as well as mel"
Blame Mark" Barbara said, her
scorn intensifying. "How futile Of
you to push responsibility on to my
poor Mark!"
Then she stepped back; back and
back until chair impeded her re-
treat. And step by step Leila,
ablaze. pursued her.
"Your poor MarkI Why yours
why yours? He could have been
minel He would have been happier
with me. You're lovely. in picture
book way. but you've never attract
ed him as ! have. He isn't your type
OF lover. All. you're offended BY
thatl You think I've no right to
say IT."
you have less than no right
You're impertinent."
sand you're selfsh!"
"Selhsh--I? Leila, hadn't you
better goY'
You are selfish - selfish and
proud. You made a promise when
You were too much OF child to un.
derstand the nature OF 1t and now
II has become matter OF pride with
you 10 keep your word. You never
ask yourself IL Mark is really happy
In your care"
Barbara flung back her head.
i don't need to ask myself.
ask Mark instead--and he tells me
that he is happy and that he loves