The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-11-21
Chapter IS
Ions RETURN

HERO whined uneasiIy. ssnssnp
a a the storm. He chased a wish a.
paper and rushed back TO her win
his trophy. then walked sedately as
she returned to the house.
The house was fmmaculateIv
clean. but Marian went over It thor.
oughly. The storm broke as aha
worked and she paused to listen 70
the music Of wind and rain. She had
. skeiehy lunch; Lon had said thew
would drive out for dinner on ina
morrow 80 there was no shopping to
do. Then. with a book. she sought to
pass the time.
Slowly the hours passed. When
the tick-toek OF the mantel clock he
came unbearable. she went into the
bedroom and tried to sleep, dozed
htfnlly and awakened to find scant
hour had passed.
~ won't depend upon Lon for my
happineSs. she insisted as she
arose. "is's foolish. I'll go into town.
visit Anne. 80 10 a theater, visit the
oiice aud gossip anything but
this I. this terrible waiting for
something 10 happen" ID
Hero listened. head to one side
BE had understood the word 20. now
BE- vent 70 the closet where his
leash was kept. and returned with
= aangilng from his mouth.
4 can't leave you alone, old Eel.
low" she confessed. "and | dread
leaving the house for fear Lon
might need me. Wen compromise,
well go for a walk"
They went into the storm, braced
against the wind and the rain, ran
aownhiii, painted uphill. returned at
twilight breathless and hungry.
Marian built a fire on the hearth,
made toast and tea and wheeled a
IN on the tea wagon. Then, Hero
beside her browsing in the warmth.
ahe nibbled and slipped and read. but
really listened and waited for the
sound OF a motor.
Eight o'clock. nine o'clock, ten
o'clock .. what II Lon had cashed
hts check and someone. knowing he
vas 70 be paid. had jumped his car
Ia the tunnel and oh she vas
foolish. bat supPosing on these wet
pavements the car had skiddsd.
There were So many dark canyons
and wlth little traffic on a stormy
night she wouldn't know until next
morning. Maybe at that very mo-
ment be was lying under his car
sue arose. paced restlessly around
the room.
u have 20 do something" she
said aloud. She'd telephone tele-
phone whom could she teIe-
phone7 Murphy at the gas station.
maybe he had an extra car She
would drive into the city. and II she
met Lon along the road she would
pretend she hadn't seen him and
let him wait for her as she had
waited Tor him D.. and as she drove
-. slowly she would look for
skid marks on the pavement. aud
into the canyons.
Gle called the Walnut Greek ex.
- change and asked for Murphy's
Service Station.
"Mr. Murphy" she began. this is
Mrs. Casad. D."
4 expect you're worried aren't
you" he exclaimed solicitously. u
meant 10 call you but I've been busy
As the deuce. I'lI bring Mr.. Casad
home as soon as I close shop"
'Bring him home" cried Marian
rs be hurty'
"No. no. Mrs Casad. he's just a a.
well. you know how 1t Is. he's been
cut with the boys and he's a bit
under the weather I'm closing in
half an hour. I'll lock your car up in
the garage here and bring him along
In mine
Marian turned back to the room,
too beWildered 10 think coheTently-
Lon vas under the weather" He
had been "out with the boys" But
that wasn't like Lon He might be
aallen. and willing 70 misunderstood
her. preiudiced by McSwain. but be
aidn't drink TO excess. ever.
OF course there was that night he
had come from McSwain's barbecue
~. at be had refused to touch any
thing since. He'd said. If I can't
take Il . won't touch Il"
The telephone rang again. Marian
FASTENED to answer. Mrs Casad.
came Murphy's voice. I've Just
been IN 70 see your husband. he's
in a pretty bad condition. I'd ADVISE
you 90 call q doctor"
Marian annweaIv matted for Muir