The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-15

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is she?"
Owen followed iris into the rosy,
lacy bedroom to which the maid led
her. He sat down On the edge of the
graceful ivory dressiEg-t: tle. rather
endangering its silver brushes and
buffers. and grinned as he lit a
cigaret.
Just one of Phina's pets in need
Of financial reinsurance. Nothing
unusual"
Iris sat down on the nearest
thing. a scroll-shaped Empire love-
seft.
"Phina must be awfully kind
and isn't It expensive"
"Oh. we'll. most women like Phina
land | may say there aren't many
of them are sort of unofficial Little
Helpers to the Rich one way CT an
other. Phina's been taken up by a
lot of smart people. She's more or
less the fashion.
She helps people like this Rus
sell woman out with Il -ir bills. or
maybe puts an extra polish on some
dud lebutante's clothes" - Owen
frowned as If this thought had an.
noying connotations land she
lunches with them. or runs down to
keep them company Wien they're
alone in the great big country house
with dear stupid George away"
But" began Iris. Ptina's steps
clicked up the dolls stairs before
she could continue. She came in and
spoke rather sharply to Owen.
"Sigrid's downstairs. | told you
she had to come owe. to work With
the fall plans. but | certainly didn't
mean you to ask her to dine"
Il can ask Der out to dinner" said
Owen. more quietly. rnt as sharply
Nonsense. Now she's here she
may stay. | only thought you might
like to have your sister to yourself
the first evening""
Il wante her to Sc, S:grid." said
Owen, flushing. and went down
stairs.
THE wrong girl. at his age!" said
Phina, throwing out her red-nailed
capable hands in 1 despairing ses-
ture. "Perhapi you ca help me. lit
tie niece. With his looks nd charm
Owen could marry anywhere. And
well. you'll see."
She put her arm around Iris, and
finished. I'll count on you. And
now you'l better get your bath and
dress. HOnOra's drawn it, | see."
Hadn't | better let you have
yours first?"
Phina laughed outright. Every
bedroom has its own. you cunning
thing! Wear the rose-quartz with
the frock on the bed You're the
most adorable ingeLIr But, dearest,
go light on it. or people won't think
it's real"
I RlS was lying Iuxdriously in clear
green water in a bathtub tinted
rose like the rest OF the room before
the meaning of Phira's parting re-
mark struck her. Phina seemed to
think that the way people acted was
garment to put on and off as they
pleased.
For a moment the excited en-
chantment slipped little: all the
delight of this fairytale apartment,
her beautiful clothes. Aunt Pima
with her power and her all of own.
ing the world. Owen no. not Owen!
That was real, 40 matter what else
wavered.
Wen. anyway. middle-aged people
were queer And frock she'd never
worn was in the Ie1t room. and
undreamed-of delights were down
stairs and out in New York City
and on Long Island. She was home
sick. that was what 1t Yas-she
missed Uncle Will: she missed low
ing driving Aunt Ella; she missed
Morgan. with his crossness on top
and his eager kindness and honesty
beneath. and the disturbing love be-
meath that
She turned on sharp cold
shower that made her al: alive and
thrilled again; she ran bach and
was in the adorable rose chiffon
with its beads and slippers. her hair
coaxed into tho smooth close waves
she loved, and down the toy stairs,
ready for anything in this most al
Turing Of worlds.
The other two were before her,
Owen in his dinner jacket. Phina in
marvellous gold tissue frock down
to her tingertips and cut to the waist
behind. The tiny neautifuIIy.made
blonde girl in black velvet lounging
with exaggerated nonchalance on
the piano bench must be Sigrid. She
spoke. lifting thickly blackened
lashes: This the long-lost sister,"
Except for her stature she was as
Scandinavian as her name. Iris
liked a certain honesty she felt in
her. She had gray eyes set wide
apart a milky skin. piquantly high
cheekbones in a poinLed face, lips
made just the right red. and wheels
of very fair hair framing the heart
shaped outline.
fcest,fslt.7 I0sS-so. AarSares VilIssxsrI
iris meets her red.headed boy,
TOMORROW