The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-27
Chtpter 81
HIGH PRAISE

4 UNIT PHINA'S from South Car
olina," she said. "She and my
mother had to work because their
people were impoverished by the
war-and l don't know much about
that side of the family"
Brought up in converts, sup
pose?" said the old lady.
"I don't know" said Iris innocent
ly. tits really only my fathers side
/ know about. And that's because
Uncle Will did genealogy after hours
to make more money. He is the kind
who says a mans a man for a that,
you know He was always saying,
Its not what your ancestors are, but
what you are yourself
But my Aunt Ella, his sister, was
rather interested in them. If you are
poor. you knOw-or so he always
sailor a woman. ancestors are a
comfort. Heavens" said Iris mourn
fully. what | don't know about
every one of them. from Grandfather
Lanning, who made the last Grand
Tour from Persia. to the Colonel on
Washington's staff"
did anybody tell you," demanded
the old lady, that i am interested
in genealogy?" She fixed her sharp
look on Iris again.
"They didn't have to-" said Iris
cheerfully. 81 could tell it. You look
like an old portrait. and like Aunt
Elias friends back home. That's why
l felt so at home with you. You're
like Mrs. Cadwallader. and | think
people who look alike are alike,
don't yOu?"
what Mrs Cadwallader"
Iris went into details. and it pres
entity appeared that there was rea
son; 1t was a family distantly con.
nected.
Zone of her grandmothers was a
Beckley. | married a Morgan. had
no sons. only grandsons," said the
lady, looking over at Allan with
little sigh.
Allan came over to them promptly.
putting a gentle hand on his grand
mothers cracking taffeta shoulder.
"How are you getting on with this
pretty thing. granny" he said.
81 like her." said Mrs. Morgan de-
cisively. "She's real. believe"
Allan shrugged his shoulders.
"We're all realm a way. 'Glissez.
mortels. n'appuyez pas is good
motto"
'Do you mean that you wouldn't
ever want anyone to lean hard where
you are concerned?" Iris asked. smil-
ing up at him. He looked surprised.
people didn't seem to expect girls
who came from small towns to know
French. or anything" she reflected
with a little annoyance.
With a sudden girlish desire to
show them that there was something
she did well. she took from her eve
ming bag the miniature of Aunt
Phina. do you like this?" she said.
Mrs. Morgan took it in her hand
"You shouldn't be allowed to carry
valuable things like this around
with vanity cases and quarters" she
said. "Oh. it's modern. thought it
was a COpley-same technique. Ma
dame Phina knows the best, when
she sees it,"
IRIS hadn't expected quite all this;
she glanced up to see if she was
being ridiculed. No. Mrs. Morgan
was in earnest. There was nothing to
do but go on. however.
Its an anchor to windward, if
it's as good as that" she said light
ly. 81 did it with my little Ratchet"
eff you do them professionally.
would be very glad to have you do
one for me-" said Mrs. Morgan. with
the same keen look.
Iris shook her head with a little
laugh. Il never have. only place,
cards and for presents to the girls.
I'd love to do one for you. for pres.
ent, may II"
Mrs. Morgan's face softened. 81
have a photograph my daughter
Louise. who is dead think it is up
stairs here. Allan has a copy"
Iris. who loved to give, cleaned
with pleasure. oh. let met"
And then they were interrupted by
an irruption of guests. Georgia,
Dicky. Camilla in q wonderful frock
that was badly carried. and long
youth with a guitar case and the
complete dress of a cowboy.
"You look like a magazine cover.
said Georgia. coming over and TAX
ing the miniature. She was in her
usual red. sharp and glittering as
ever.
I'll write to Mrs. Cadwallader
and my uncle about the Rpckley
branch. IL you like" Irl'- $500 '-'''.- Z