The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-06-22

| piness?"
"Well, I'm certainly capable of
it."
81 think she's wrong" Hope
said. 81 think every one needs it -.
most of all those who think them
selves incapable of feeling il"
And he,
You think that, =. or so Isabel
would say -. because you need it so
much, yourself"
But it's easy for me! Little things
almost anything -. :" Her face
clouded. IF there's not fear, trouble
-. ahead"
Involuntary he leaned toward
her.
"If had my way, Hope -"
"Oh, but I'm happy now!" she said
breathlessly. Just this minute, l
mean. 1t feels as if the clock had
stopped. All the clocks in the world.
AS if there wouldn't be any tomor-
row."
| Ills wv tOICG Sdys
do make you happy, Hope?"
eyes, and sad. too. Now that /
know =. mean, since this after
noon i. j.. nothing seems to matter
great deal. Nothing else. that is"
A wild wind seemed to blow
through him. around him. Blowing
away any barrier between them.
Blowing them together. Her voice
came soft and small through the
blowing wind.
kiss me, Dirk"
She was in his arms, half-lifted
from the pillow by his embrace. He
felt the little shawl fall back, felt
her bare arms tighten about his
neck, and for long moment the
pressure of her lips on his. He
shared her almost painful catch Of
the breath when the kiss was done.
She turned her face. Her warm
flushed cheek was soft against his.
81 wanted that" she whispered.
81 wanted something to keep"
you have all of me-" Dirk said
huskily.
mot really. Not like that. l know
how you feel about Rupert"
"rll talk to Rupert" he said. "I'n
tell him. must have you. We be-
long to each other"
A faint chime sounded from the
hall. Then three clear strokes of a
silver gong.
'The clocks are going again." she
said. And you have to get up early"
He stood still. looking down at
her, at the flushed face and closed
eyes. at the dark head on the white
pillow. He longed to kiss her again.
Instead. he said low good night"
and crossed the room, gathering up
his things.
She had not answered him, but
when he turned at the door to look
rat hersagain, she waved her hand.
THE next night when Dirk re-
l. turned from Albany, Mary met
him at the door. She was pallid, and
raveled-looking. Timothy lowered in
the background. but it was Mary
who did the talking. 1t was Mary
who blamed herself entirely.
81 had waited up for you. sir, and
when you came went to bed and to
sleep. didn't even wake up to open
the door between the rooms. And
next morning / oversight. At first l
thought she was in the bathroom,
but when she stayed so long called
her. and then opened the bathroom
door. Even then l couldn't believe
she was gone. sir. You see, she left
all her new clothes. And she left me
a note. Here it is. 1t was on her pill
low"
Dirk read the crumpled slip. Hope
was grateful for Mary's care and
kindness. She would never forget.
"And there's a note for you, sir, in
your room. And one for Mister Ru-
pert" Mary was wiping her eyes.
Dirk felt a hot, unreasoning fury.
Why had Hope done this? Why had
she kissed him like that, only to
leave him? Her kiss had been good
by, and she had not told him. Per
haps her note would tell him where
she had gone.
81 blame her father, sir. I heard
him scolding her the night he came.
| heard him tell her she had no right
to stay here. didn't think she had
paid any attention to him. But she
did. AS soon as she was strong
enough"
And you don't know what time
she left?"
at was before nine, sir. That was
when woke"
After all. thought Dirk, the time
of her leaving mattered little.
He found her note for him. lying
on his bureau. Beside it lay another.
addressed to Rupert. His own read:
Dirk. darling:
You think / couldn't have done
this IL had loved you 1t is because
/ love you that | could do it. 1t is
the best, the only thing. II you
love me in return, don't try to
find me. In that way you will
help me most of ALL
fcoAyy;sIf Joss B.,say.t g<Zl HorsGonl