The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-07-25
Chapter Nine
PASSAGE AT ARMS

1850 SAAA MA AHA tAaS a
4 were nice enough to belong in
this house,. She realized it had been
long since she had done more than
to laugh at the word mice" and now
she had said it seriously and her
eyes had brimmed.
"But, dear. you do belong in this
house and to u.s." Bob's mother as
sured her. She added in an aside to
/ Bob. "a little nervous" and she
added to that, and more loudly,
"Bob." will you beiso good as to ring
for tea?''
Marsha had caught it all. Bob laid
a hand on her shoulder as he moved
toward the bell. They were both anx-
ious that she should be happily at
ease with them and beyond feeling
nervous while within their reach.
ooh, don't!" she thought don't
be so kind"
The tea was. patiently, a gala af-
fair; the best of all the good porce-
lain was upon a huge, cleaning
silver tray which Bartholomew
brought to set on a solid table be-
fore Mrs. Powers. Mrs. Powers
measured from a caddy tea that had
come from China. Bob sat staring
at Marsha. Marsha tried TO speak
easily, naturally. but she could not.
At dinner that night Miss Gertrude
was rarely loquacious. She had the
curiosity that thrives I'm persons
without imagination to reveal spirit.
ual toes upon which questions may
tread.
Il am, frankly, eager" she admit.
ted with an acid smile. "to hear of
your adventure of this afternoon:
could not conceive the-let us say
-melange."
ut was bit strange" Marsha an
swered. She stared a little tragical-
ly at the silver which, having come
from such proudly respectable an
cestors, had always made her feel
more than ever the Pariah she knew
she was.
How did Mrs. Powers impress
you?" Miss Gertrude probed on.
She impressed me as a woman
who had gone into caps at twenty.
seven," Marsha answered pertly,
"and know she knits those scratohy
wash-cloths that are wrapped around
the soap that smells like a dog be-
ing treated for mango, and could
see her giving the amalgamation to
, the servants-with advice. Is my
description adequate, or do you re-.
quire more?"
That was Marsha's old manner.
but she had lost her way to the mu-
sic and she could but chant the
words with a new bitterness. Even
Miss Gertrude who saw little beside
her own righteousness, noticed the
change. f4....t
Il presume you will break it one"
she queried.
IL presume l SHALL" Marsha
agreed. She added, at has been done
before"
Il think perhaps" Miss Gertrude
commented. that it will be the most
heartless and wicked thing that even
you have ever DONE"
We'll not quarrel about that"
Marsha stated. Il feel as do you.
No, thank you, Alice. don't care
for any sweet"
She rose then: eff you'll be good
enough to excuse me, Aunt"
WELL" Miss Gertrude muir
W INJURED as Marsha left the room.
She had never thought anything
could touch Marsha and Marsha was
obviously touched "But it won't last.
it can't last!" she thought trium-
phantly.
Marsha, nervous i'm the drawing
room. wanting to move this. that.
hAONAA 2 oAAC bcat 81 lOb % EeANh OV-
jeck had its sacred spot-wondered
whether Godfrey had telephoned
while she was out. perhaps.
She wanted to see him, needed to
see him.
She wanted to be taken back by
him to the ground where one stood.
careless of others hurts; to the
ground where one thought only Of
killing ones own drearily stretch
ing time.
She moved toward the dining
room. "Alice," she said. her voice
quick and sharpened by strain, did
Mr.. Tarleton telephone this after
noon?"
Alice answered with, mo, Miss
Marsha"
Miss Gertrude smiled without
raising her eyes from her plate; her
smugness sang, The way OF the
transgressor is hard" and Marsha