The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-06-22

She drewsnear to the Roayss Head.
with feeling Of great embarrass-
ment; in the sane light OF today It
seemed Impossible that yesterday
she had been so utterly mad as to
tell man, and married man, that
she loved him.
That was another pitiful thing
about life. that people must never
tell the truth about things that mat
tered tremendously: the correct
thing was TO pretend to care moth
ing at all about man until he had
begged and implored you half Q
dozen times at least to say that you
liked him. just.a little. George won
dered how many times Nicholas
had had to ask Billy If she liked
him.
AS she passed the main entrance
to the "hote" as Edward Bancroft
insisted on calling the little inn. Mrs.
Spears came to the door; she SAT-
George and waved TO her.
George stopped reluctantly: It
seemed long time since she had
had a conversation with Mrs.
Spears.
The morning sunshine shone on
the good woman's dyed hair and
heavy makeup. making her look
grotesque Utmost like a clown,
George thought) and then was
ashamed: what did At matter how
one looked II ones heart was In the
right place? I
"And where have yon been hiding
all this timer" Mrs. Spears asked.
in her hearty voice. 81 was wonder
ing II someone had run OF with you,.
1t must be weeks since we met"
"It's not very long" George said
uncomfortably. and che gave her
hat little tug, bringing 1t further
down over her eyes and the ugly
bruise which had not yet faded. She
had deliberately kept out Of the way
OF Mrs. Spears because she had
known he-w impossible It would be
70 explain that brlise away.
$50 you've lost Lovelock." Mrs.
Spears went on affahly. as IL 1t were
a matter OF no Importance. "Well,
we've all got to die. and it's no use
arguing. Life's made up of paintings,
isn't it? y0u'll find that out for your.
self soon enough If you haven't
found It out already"
CHE sounded quite cheerful about
~ II. and faint admiration crept
into Georges heart. II was rather
wonderful to be ablesto talk about
death and partings so easily. Il
"And I'm losing MIR. Boyd" Mrs.
Spears went on. "And don't mind
admitting that I'm sorry. He never
gives any trouble. and he makes the
Place interesting. The business In
the bar mas doubled sinceghe came:
wonderful how anxious people are
TO catch a glimpse Of q aim star.
even if hesis one OF the has.beens.S
.Heisn't has.been,ss George said
quickly: her color rose. Nobody
win ever take his place: he'll al
ways be remembered"
Mrs. Spears raised her darkened
brows.
We'll nowI" she said. She looked
at the girl and smiled. "Ah. it's a fine
hing to be young and full OF 20.
she said tolerantly. Il was
the same when | was your age. / re.
waiting Cor honrs outside
the stage door Just TO see George
Alexander come out And that's o
good many years ago" she added.
.Ah well. it's oil to the good e yow
can make an ideal OF o man. they let
ron down soon enough"
"Dld George Alexander let you
iown?n George asked interestedly;
she had never heard OF George Alex.
andef.
Mrs. Spears laughed.
"Bless your heart was only one
Il hundreds Of sentimental girls who
ldored him. she said cheerfuIly. 81
rot over Il. and you'll do tue aame.
Nice % Mr.. Royd.s always been 10
ne, expect he's . devtl to live with
{ the truths known: anyway hts
Vife doesn't seem TO worry much
bout him, does she?"
It was on the tip OF Georges
ongne to say. "but she's coming
lomes" then she stopped: II was no
BUSINESS Of Mrs. Spears.
They're all the same. these "a
nous men, Mrs. Spears went on
With o great feeling OF superiority.
They've all got the knack Of max
ne you feel you're the only woman
a the world; you'H do. II there's no.
ody else handy. and then =. we'll,
on can't tell me anything about
aen."
II don't want to-" George said
Ilmost resentfully: she gave her
at another Jerk down over her eyes.
Well. | must 60. rye got to catch
train"
It was beyond George to under.
tand II all; her thoughts broke. and
he began to run. as she saw the
rain pulling slowly Into the station.
fcopsrioAs. 1888. DoabisdGg Dercal