The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-05-21
Chapter Eight

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Chapter Eight
MAD PROPOSAL
II was born -"
L Rupert laughed as the girl
paused.
81 would have sworn it," he re-
marked.
He felt that his wits were clearing
remarkably.
81 was born in the South, in Ell
Paso." her low voice continued. My
father was a cowboy"
She stopped. and suddenly COW
cred her face with her hands. She
sat silent, shivering.
Rupert spoke in the voice that al
ways Quieted witnesses.
Hope Devine." he said musingly.
"Strange name for anything but an
angel"
"My father" she said hastily,
my father is a preacher. And my
mother"
"Your father is a preacher" re-
peated Rupert impressed. He kept
his head back now. leaned it against
the rack of the chair. He could see
her better so.
"And your mother?"
"She was She always read q
great deal. She found the name in
a book. and my father thought
He liked it. and thought"
She bit her lip. fumbled I'm the
pocket of her cape. found startling.
ly red purse, drew out a handker-
chief.
Thought It suited to a parsons
daughter" finished Rupert. Go on"
She looked at him. Wont you
try" she said. Wont you please
try-to understand? l need help.
All this" Her voice broke. "All
this has nothing to do with"
"Just a minute" said Rupert qui'
etingly. "You were talking about
your mother. You were about to tell
me who she was"
"She was Katherine Affair."" said
the girl. From Virginia. She didn I
1t took her a long time to get
used to it out West"
"West?" said Rupert. More than
once his ear had caught confusion
In the narrative. as Ell Paso West
or South?"
at Is South to u.s." she explained
ut is West to Virginians. She al
ways spoke of it as West"
"And why did it take her so long
to get used to it?"
"The hardship" said the girl.
"Her people were rich. She had
never -"
81 see. Her family was better than
your fathers"
"No. My fathers people were
poor, but quite as good. Two OF them
are prominent politically"
prominent politically. and still
poor. Yes. should say they were
very good, indeed"
Again the girls quick glance.
Again her half desperate discovery
that ne was serious. Rupert straight.
ened himself.
Good family" he commented.
Good family on both Sides"
He leaned toward her.
"Tell me this" he said. Are yoU
a decent grip"
Her eyes widened. meeting mis-.
Listen. Miss Hope Devine. I'm
not a rich man. though was richer
before the Wall Street crash. when
had just bearded the bulls and
bears In their den."
Something was wrong with that
81 should have said lions" Rupert
explained casually. 81 bearded thu
lions--like a Daniel"
mo matter. What | want you tC
understand is that am not so well
off as was. but | have enough
and / have this house. You've come
here with some little matter thai
needs smoothing out. Marry me. ant
all your affairs will be looked after
That is. If you're a decent girl. Are
your
THE girl rose. standing beside hel
L chair. her dark dilated eyes or
Rupert's face.
you think I'm drunk or crazy
he said. THAT right? Drunk Of
crazy?"
you're drunk. OF course" she an
swered. 81 knew that at the star,
But | thought" She looked away
spoke not so much to him as TO her
self. 81 thought-not crazy, too
Able to think-to tell me what t
do"
Suddenly she looked at him.
eff you mean tonight IL you real
ly mean-marry you tonight"
Tonight. of course" said Rupert
Or very SOON"
1T must be tonight" she said.