The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-07-24

AA4s tNMEte CuAuuEuE. Hc IuOfItcHk
would start Geoffrey's londest mirth,
she realized. She could not see why
she mast ne so tragic about mat
ter that. six weeks before, would
have made her laugh.
She moistened her lips. There
must be something amusing about
her going. With this tawny. fatnoua,
~ blind giant TO meet bis mother.
But she could not. with all her rea-
sonlng. make the matter seem anus.
ing.
Al least twenty times before she
had been engaged" without once
seriously considering marriage. or
the disappointment that would be
another's through her breaking the
engagement. Getting engaged she
had found to be rather diverting":
getting disengaged. an easy matter
that did. not touch her. But now
Are you warm enough. dear?p
she heard him ask very gently. She
answered with muted. strained,
"Quite. Bob. thank YOU"
Then the street. the house: brown
stone steps. OF course. They would
be. Il would probably smell queer
and old: and the door would be
opened by a stopped servant who
would call Bob "Mr Bob" servant
who remembered New Years calls
and young and slightly hilarious
blades who crowded in chaises on
one anothef's laps and stopped here
and there fer q t0ddy and "a ex-
change the wishes Of the day.
Such a house. and It's inmates,
would know a great deal OF order
and OF the things gentle-folk could
do. Regard for law and the follow
Ing OF such conduct as keeps a chin
above the timber line was written
on the solid structure before which
the motor stopped.
DOB opened the door before the
~ chauffeur could leave his post.
Home" said Bob a little breath
lessly; and his eyes troubled Mar.
sha as they had often and because
they we're Allied with confidence.
happiness. humble gratitude and
alteration.
bartholomew, q stopped old ser
want. admitted them to the house:
he said. "Mr. Bob and he bowed
low TO Marsha.
A good many people would be
hurt, she realized. when the truth
was told.
She liked the hall, which she saw
through confusion and bit hazily.
The furniture was old. good. solid:
the rugs, which had been bought
before people generally turned TO-
ward the East with their need TO
c0yer floors. would mean fortune
to such as reckoned in that manner,
and the utmost satisfaction to an
other group who required gentle.
warming color in their, daily fare.
No one who lived In house with
such a sort OF hall, could shout with
anger. or punish with cold silence.
Bob's hand on her arm. Marsha
moved with him toward the drawing
room. AS they reached the threshold
Of the broad doorway. Mrs. Powers
rose. 3 small. faded symphony in
gray With gentleness written upon
her as Mpdernity was etched on
Marsha's face and in her garb.
my dear child" said Mrs. Pow
eFs; she moved toward Marsha.
both rather tremulous hands out
stretched. Marsha felt dry lips on
hers ;. odd moment. and how Geeff-
reg would smile oyer Il! And why
had she let the affair SO thus far?
THAT Is a very stiff chair for You,
dear said Mrs. Powers. after she
had settled. and after Marsha, as
close to awkward as she could be,
had followed the lead.
I'm feeling stiff" Marsha admit
ted ruefully. When am q bit less
frightened I'll move to a slumpier
chart"
They laughed. Mrs. Powers and
Bob. THAT will probably become
one. Of, the family, iqkee,Y said Mrs.
Powers. Family Jokes" echoed IN
Marsha. Did families. really. have
thenla She'd been certain that all
that stuff about family jokes and
closeness vas the rottenest poppy
cock! But Mrs. Powers didn't look
as II she could lie.
II meant" Mrs. Powers amplified,
that when you are very much ut
home here, We shall look back to
snllle over this visit and your hav.
ing felt restraint" She leaned for.
ward then 10 lay her hand upon
Marsha's. Il understood from my
son." she said. you were rarely
beautiful, but II Is more than that
which he and see: your eyes. dear
child. are signposts of your fine
ness"
definitely. Marsha shook her head.
she is q very humble small per
son. mother said Bob. He was star
log at Marsha in a way that further
disconnected her: she could almost
near his inner chant, You're here!
You're here!"
(ceswiELf. 1854. ~ X, RSyiie~1- Tsyissl