The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-08-21

floor quite violently with both legs
around the umbrella rack: and Bar
tholomew had said he had been
"qulte embarrassed" and he had
"perspired profusely."
Mrs. Powers. hearing of the ia.
mentable accident" had urged him
to take little sip OF port" and he
had: and did Marsha think habits
could be grown by such "little sips?
Marsha did not: she was sure they
could not! Very sure they could
not!
Mrs. Powers relaxed; "He seemed
to enjoy 1t so mueh." she admitted.
A silence.
"You must be wearied. Marsha.
dear child?" Marsha heard. She had
hoped rs Powers had drifted into
one of those short maps which were
becoming habit.
'Not one bit, precious, are your"
mot now"
"Would you mind my having my
dinner on a tray here with you,
Mother? We could have sort of
party"
Mrs. Powers frightened. "And
you must have some of my jelly"
she said. there is an ample service
for two"
Marsha said she would love hav-
ing "a little" If there was really
enough for two. And Mrs. Powers
assured her Git took three long min,
utes) that there was enough for two.
before Marsha changed to
- something bright she settled In a
deep chair in Boh's room: she had
formed the habit, since his depar.
ture, OF sitting there, and thinking
there. of him.
And often she read and reread
the letters that were made falsely
affectionate for the benefit OF his
mother. And 1t was in Bob's room
that she considered the loneliness
that was coming and OF what she
could do to tighten it.
She knew the old ways Of "filling
time" were lost to her. She thought
perhaps she would take up nursing
Mrs. Powers doctor said she
had genius for it - and go into
some childFen's hospital. her craft
learned. And perhaps. caring for
children. she would not have to
dream so hungrily of her own chill
dren children. of course, that
would never be, now.
A clock struck and she rose; she
ran downstairs bit later to put the
small presents on Mrs. Powers
tray. BLESS her!" said Bartholo-
new.
He saw a set Of knitting needles;
soft. small packets; handkerchiefs,
lace collars and such, he judged.
Mrs Powers that afternoon had
shown to Hannah the lovely things
my daughter gave me last week.
because she said it was Wednesday.
She jests always. Hannah"
"Yes. Mrs. Powers. and It light.
ems 4 house"
"Oh. Hannah; so much. Hannah!
Do you see her coming. Hannah"
Not yet. Mrs. Powers"
Draw chair to the window. II
you like. Hannah"
I'D not be comfortable sitting In
your presence. please. Mrs. Powers.
and 10 one waiting for Mrs. Rob
ert's coming could be tired. Mrs.
Powers"
No. quite true. You'll stay with
her. Hannah?"
Hannah's eyes misted: but she
answered steadily. with. $50 long
as sbe'u have me. Mrs. Powers"
I'D Ike to go thinking you could
care for her. Hannah. The dear
child cant sew, And her pretty un.
der-things often need a stitch"
Hannah couldn't respond. So
many years she had been with her.
the mistress =. and now. one day
= curtain would drop between them.
For the first time Ham, consid.
cred age with gratitude. to think,
IT won't be long, at worst. that I'll
not be doing for her. I'm seventy
tWot"
The presents Marsha brought to
Mrs. Powers we're always sent to
her By mysterious persons with
very strange names. Mrs. Powers
loved the game: she would laugh
and laugh while Marsha manufac.
tared tales Of Mr.. Wintergreen. Mr..
Peppermint, (Marsha knew her au.
diencs and that Jokes must be
rather nuted. stale and staid) Mrs
Pepper. Madame Cayenne.
you would make the loyellest
mother, DEAR" Mrs. Powers said
once.
Marsha lost color. II would try to
bel / would try TO BET" she whis.
pered. but before that I'd try to be
a good wife,"
Dear. you are good wife," Mrs.
Powers insisted with heavy Ger.
tainty. How can you think you lack
In any wayT
(C1byyisAf. f15$. ~ r. HsVitasa-zayior)
MARSHA takes up again, tomor.
row. the sad routine OF her new life.