The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-08-31

Friday was total loss: the chill
dren were too excited to concen-
trate on lessons, and the teachers
were too excited to insist upon 1t.
Mr.. Hall succumbed to the prevail
ing Generalization and cut the last
two periods in half, thereby pre-
venting spontaneous combustion.
Carol tried to ignore the hands OF
her watch. and to keep her thoughts
in order. Tomorrow: Milly and Pat
and Jill! The very thought made
her heart hurry. Milly and Pat and
Jill! -.
When the last class had dragged
itself around the clock the children
leaped to their feet and clattered
out, shouting Merry Christmas as
they went
She sat still when they had gone;
strangely enough there was no hur.
ry now. Her train left at five, and
her bags were packed and waiting.
The time seemed longer now be.
cause it was empty.
Mike came in hesitantly. and
stood over her.
Miss Torrance, sure hope you
have a good time at home. I know
you'll be glad to get rid Of US for
two weeks" $
His voice was dull and lifeless.
and the aura of anticipation that
surrounded her broke like thin glass.
She looked at him with still. intent
eyes, and decided abruptly to cut
straight through his reticence.
mike. You told me in September
that you were going to ask me to
help you when you needed it."
His face seemed to break up, and
she saw wretchedness behind its
carved perfection.
"I-I couldn't. Miss Torrance.
You'd We thought | was fool"
"You might at least have given
me chance. l can't quite see you
being a fool. A lot of other things.
maybe-good and bad-but not a
fool. Do you want to tell me about 1t
now? I've got plenty Of time"
he looked at the floor and she
held her breath.
81 guess it wouldn't do any good
now"
The last word dropped heavily
and ominously into the silence.
"Now." What in Gods name had
Mike done? Surely not :? She
tried to look through his eyes and
find the answer. but they were
Opaque with unhappiness.
Mike. you'd better tell me, If it
takes all afternoon" She would
even miss her train and one of her
priceless nights at home if it meant
Mikes rescue.
He shook his head slowly. "No'm.
You want to get ready to leave" She
denied it with swift gesture. Il
might-talk to you when you get
back"
at may be too late then. I've got
two hours"
But it was no use. Not in this
bare classroom that anyone could
enter at any time. Mike felt that.
She prodded him. Tina girl
myself. Mike. A lot older. but not
enough older to forget how their
minds work."
His voice was slow, and so thick
with hate that it frightened her.
Your mind never did work 49,
that way" He pulled himself up.
and for the second time since she
had known him he held out his hand.
"Goodby. Miss Torrance"
They gripped hands. and it was
Mike who first drew his away. She
cried desperately: "Mike!" but he
was walking out of the room.
She locked her desk, and shook
off the clutching hands of the room
as she went.
Ellen was Just leaving the house
when she reached home. ..t q.
81 was afraid I'd miss you," Ellen
said gaily. Have a grand Christ.
mas. Carol"
Carol kissed her, and made her
self smile. Thanks, darling. Have
one yourself. Is it time for your bus
already%
Eyes. Mack's driving me down.
He's coming over for the New
Years dance. he says. Merry Christ.
mas!"
merry Christmas!"
But not. Carol thought as she
went up the stairs, until she cou!i
forget about Mike.
There was letter from Denis On
the table, and she took 1t I'D hu..
grily.
She folded the note and slipped
it into her bag, to read on the train
There was time for a luxurious
bath: the other teachers, who
taught in grammar school. had AZ
ready gone.
But as she slipped into the steam
ing tub she realized that there were
tears on her face. She laughed
aloud, wryly.
What handsome way to begin
Christmas"
Copyright. 1885, By Marian SimssJ
Carol learns, tomorrow, what
happens 70 former lovers. zf