The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-07-31
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essssessessssessesessesss
lat your service. and very service
able shoulder you'll find 1t to be-"
| She did. after little hesitation
! he must have driven with painstak.
ing care she knew. when he woke
| her with touch and she looked up
Ito find him smiling down on her,
and a furry ofssnow in the air. and
the small doorway, Of stone house
seen through 1t and near.
Home. my dear child" he said.
He stepped from the car then and
picked her up to carry her over the
threshold. II have my superstitions. !"
he admitted, as she found herself
set by him and reluctantly. upon her
feet; this is one of them!"
A stopped old woman in black
dress. white cap and apron appeared
then from the rear of the low-ceil-
inged, old-fashioned hall. She curt
sled in fashion that told of her
having started as scullery maid in
another land.
Il think you'll find everything in
readiness for Mrs. Powers, Mr.. Rob.
ert." she said, land it's honored we
are. here. to serve you both"
Ella, one OF my mothers oldest,
most trusted servants" Bob said to
Marsha. She murmured something
gently kind to find surprise at her.
self. She had not known she could
play this role that had been thrust
upon her, so adroitly.
A moment more and she went with
Bob up the few stairs and Tito a
room with sloping roof. The walls
were covered with an old fashioned,
lowered paper, ruffled. dotted swiss
curtains were at the windows, and
two deepchintz-coVered chairs and
a few other old and good pieces
gave the place peace.
"CWEET," she murmured. looking
- around.
Thought you'd like it." he an.
swered; he did not glance away from
her. "I'll bring up our bags We're
without any men servants. / think
| didn't want any rugged male thing
to see how softly l. shall gaze at
you. Why don't you finish that nap
before dinner? You have a long
hour and half.
Perhaps" she admitted, "it
would be good idea" She could be
alone thus, she reasoned; and per-
haps, alone, she could think things
through little to get beyond the
old, and diseoncertingly unsteady
feeling that had been hers ever since
she had learned Godfrey was lost
to her and since. what she had done
because of the loss of Godfrey.
He brought up their luggage, set
hers on the waiting racks, and IN.
strapped each piece.
''All fixed!" be said. He moved
toward the doorway; smiled at her
from the doorway; then he left,
closing the low door firmly after
himself
For some time she stood without
moving. Suddenly she laughed; she
did moi know where she was physi.
cally. nor mentally! Where had his
car turned as she slept? IL only
things would become real; if only
he would act as she had expected
him to,
II she could feel solid ground,
known ground through a normal
mans actions, even the name Of the
village. Then perhaps this CHASTITY
new seriousness, which made deep
crippling pressure. would slip away.
She descended the stairs at half
after six; he was waiting for her at
the foot of them.
"Sleep?" he asked.
"Yes. | didn't expect to, but there's
a peace here, I've never felt before.
It's darling housed"
uOpSu yOu WOuIu ike It.
Il can't see how you arranged
everything in this short while"
It.took little speed" he admit
ted, Il spent the night telephoning
dragging people from bed-and
persuading them that no one needed
so much sleep as they thought. Come
in here and see the nice fire and the
cocktails that are waiting you"
The living room was broad and
long; piano stood at one end and
near windows of tiny panes; at the
other end of the room was a bank of
books; their colors were gentle in
the soft light. A fire leaped and
scolded. Deep chairs were before it
and an old fashioned, chintz-cov-
cred sofa.
Il adore this place!" said Marsha.
Il thought" he said slowly, that
if you liked it-as much as l shall
after our time here, we might buy
it, so that we can come back; make
pilgrimage now and again you