The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-12-05
Chapter 20
!. soNYA.s SECRET

SONYA'S SECRET
"UOU know I'm Russian" Sonya
went on. "If It we're possible.
I'd go back to Russia and try TO play
some part there. however small.
When fiared out at you that eve
ming. It was just my narrow personal
feelings. But ! can't go back. I'd
probably be Imprisoned the minute
I landed. And besides I've been in
Canada twelve years and feel Cana
din. and person can do something
here too.
When | say useful. Curt, don't
mean professional uplifters and
fussy reformers who go around pry
iEs into other peoples v.c OF living
and trying to make everybody con
form to their own standards. Heag
ems no! But there are roles where
men can do real good Men with
. conscience. mean land you've
got q conscience"
Curt wished he could tell her Of
that evening In Edmonton when ne
had thrown away the Consolidated
oifer and taken on the Karakhan
hupt. ( She would applaud that.
where Resale had called him q fool
aud had utterly failed to understand
hiE motive. He recalled Sonya's
words. '.idling around pleasantly"
and he knew that that was how she
would regard his plans % return
north. II she knew about them.
Near i've O'Clock they came to q
little bay. went ashore. gathered
fifpwood and cleared place for the
two tents. II was the orettiest camp
site OF their rip.
They sat down under a. pine to
wait for the other canoes. Curt
pIueked nervously at the leaf OF q
maldenhair fern, He could slave OF
his talk with sonya no longer.
"Tiiere.s something I'd like TO un.
defstand. Sonya. It's none Of my
business. except that I've got q
friend interest 10 you and Ralph
Snnya Interrupted: Il know what
you're going TO say -that we're not
entcinologists Ralph told me you
asked him about that beetle knew
you were suspicious and would and
Us Dat sometime"
SHE pointed ct the pass. -And
now you want TO know why we're
going into that country. You're
thinking there's Just some whIm or
rattlebrained idea hehino our trip.
aren't your"
"0n the contrary. told Paul that
yousmust have some petty substan.
tai motive
"f'm glad you have that much con.
nslence in us. after finding out how
We lied" she picked q IicheD curl
aud nnrolled It IN her small brown
fingers. 1T Is q substantial reason.
Curt"
= don't question that. nut / do
question your secrecy about the
whole thing when the trii is so dan
gerpus. II knew what you're try.
ing to do. might be able 70 give you
hand"
sonya shook her head. Fl don't
believe you would. In fact. know
you wouldn't"
Are you afraid I'd go barging
into your plans like Lull 10 . china
shop | wouldnt..
She still shook her lead 10 re-
fusal ed Ike 70 tell yuu. But Il
simply cant. It's in the very nature
Of my motive that must keep II 10
myself
Il can't conceive OF any such cir
eumstance."
Then you'H have to take hly word
Tor Il, Curt"
LIE felt provoked at her. Il was
! I possible that she or Ralph had
heard some wild tale about . rich
lode or placer IN the Lilluars or that
she wanted 20 make 4 study OF the
Klosnhees themselves. hug he could
not believe either OF these guesses
There's something clse-still less
OF my business. suppose: but Son.
"a. why do you pretend this relation.
ship 10 Ralphi''
That eanghl her = surprise. a
color new into her cheeks.
pretend relationship what do
ron meant
Curt was certain Of his ground
He plunged boldly:
Ralph Is no more your brother
than | an. girl. Hes no relation to
you al al.
.Why-why. how can you make
an aaear4fsrs III = fhaa 90 sss IS 8