The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-03-14
Chapter Nine
THE PICNIC


JUDITH waited while Tom Beyins
- regained his composure. She had
tried to lead up to elias message,
gently. but the name OF Lampere
seemed te startle him.
"Inever did trust that man, judy"
he remarked at length. you know
we retained that firm because Of
'Norman's father. then when he died
before Norman was admitted to the
bar. Lampere took over our work
Tell me what you know"
= Judith related what ella had over.
heard and when she concluded. the
big man nodded his head-"he's
seen a chance to make quick money
exploiting the land :. be needs t..
Judith" as a steward appeared.
keep this quiet won't you. don't
say anything to Norman. How about
your friend? Can you trust herr"
Absolutely"
They went below TO dinner. judith
aware OF the Erigid condemnation In
Mrs. BevIns' eyesnfor delaying the
host. She found herself seated be-
tween two OF Norman's friends who
sought TO make up for the lack Of
kiDdliness shown by her hostess.
But at length the boat locked
and Norman. his mother and ella
whisked Judith home TO her apart
ment.
Have a big rest" Norman admon.
ished. ''I'll be around here about
noon tomorrow /. :. or today, rather.
Want to take you on a picnic: then
we'll go home and have dinner with
mother. is that agreeable to yeu?"
"Of course" agreed Judith. part.
ing reluctantly from his embrace;
an" program which included him
was more than agreeable.
She walked out on the under.
sung Jaw" of her attic after he had
left. The ianitor had kept her pot.
ted shrubs and flower boxes watered
and weeded. She stretched out In a
wicker chair and looked up into the
velvety blackness OF the sky where
stars . the color OF MathIIe's hair
:. seemed neatly appliqued.
Mathile loved Norman. Norman's
partner Lampere was trying to hurt
bis Tom /. Norman was going 70
marry her. a mere stenograEher.
She should stay and protect Big
Tom. Women :. stehogtanhers
and newspaper women -. were
quicker to sense dishonesty. than
big bIHfS honest men.
But she loved Norman aud she
couldn't go on being a photographer
and have lin too !. j. now that she
had promised.
She yawHed at the velyety sky.
made a face at the stars which
looked like siathila Bevlna' hair.
wondered h. = girl 'Ike that could
belong TO q man like Tom Bevins.
wandered indoors. dropped the rat.
fed dress and sheath or foam ella
lad insisted was n petticoaL paved
sleeptly through a drawer for Q
nightaress. donned II and tHmhled
iRto bed.
"uow does this appeal to yoa as
A picnic spot?"
Norman had brought hts roadster
10 stop at the foot u an oak.euv
ere5 knoll. Judith. looking IN IFom
under the wide brIm Of staFehed
linen hat. fell q queer Iug az hef
heart as she saw the knoll. the Iwo
stsiwart old oaks topping =. the Iazy
stream meandering around is base
tc far meadow.
-Perfect." answered judith. She
ran ahead OF Norman. who carried
hampers and rugs. and at the top
o. the knoll stopped entranced-
MORN look voc can see the city
sagHuo on u = tONe OF q place
wonder who owns It."
Il do" answered Norman. spread
ing q rug al the foot OF an oak. then
seeing the rapt expreSsioa Of Jud,
this face. Judy. would you !.
eoaid you consider II as q home sitsf
! know you business girS prefer
apartments e. want TO be around
where things are doing. woa1 be
able 10 AFFORD . car for you for
awhile and II might be lonely until
We had neighbors but"
Norman I'd lore L. Even stenog
raphers like . wee BIT OF nature
y'know.- she chided.
Perfect stenographers." be cor.
reeted. then Judy. see that swale
down there. that's where usea 60
80 frog hunting and that creek ;. +.
you'd be surprised at the size Of TIE
nah ] caught In there. And see that
deereplt old oak. the one Isanins