The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-09

denly she got control Of herself.
You mustn't tell them-Aunt Ella
and Uncle William. They'd die"
Gosh. Iris. you're a grand per-
son!"
She shook her head. tremulous.
"Pm not grand. Owen. Can't you
see? I'm selfish. Because-this frees
me-"
Her brother flung an arm around
her.
1--WE never been free myself. But
if / can manage it you shall be.
After all. II the old people did 1t
they wanted to. There's lot Of
waste in life usually. guess"
And then Iris knew that In spite
of the sophistication and the world
illness of this new brother OF hers
there was something she could give
him: her freshness. her belief In
life and living. her knowledge that
everything was important and
worth while.
but we're young! We can go
on" she said ardently.
He looked at her.
Can we! II you say so. Iris. some
how | can go on believing"
She laughed. "Of course! And
now. since you are going to be an
architect. look at the house. Isn't il
good? And Daddy has collection
of Stiegel glass he used to show
people. Owen. you mustn't think OF
him as cruel. Being with him was
like being in exciting sunlight
can't say it any other way people
would give everything for it."
He looked at her gravely.
"'Being in exciting sunlight
That's a good phrase for it. You
have it. too. Iris"
She laughed and shook her head.
"Oh. I'm Iris-l'm a cross between
sun and transforms! Here. look at
the glass!"
She went to the cupboard. open
ing 1t to show him the long array.
DUT he did not exclaim. or look
- impressed. as she had expected
him to. Come on away" he said.
suddenly angry He banged shut the
cupboard door. He took her by the
wrist and walked her out into the
hall. where he threw her coat and
beret on her and telephOned for a
taxi. and had her back at Phina's
room in the hotel before she knew
what it was about.
"Phina. you were darn right about
Aunt Ella" be said furiously as he
walked in. She's kept Father full
of collectors items and Injuries.
while this poor kids never had a
decent thing in her life. AS far as
have anything to say she shan't stay
with that nutty old woman one
minute longer."
Hold on a minute" said Nor.
CANS clipped quiet voice from be-
hind Aunt Phina. where they hao
been standing talking by the win
dow Iris has had high ideals and
love and devotion. She's lived with
one of the finest men | ever met.
she's been brought up to honesty
and simplicity and gayety. She is
better educated and has more tai.
ents than any girl I've ever seen.
Id like to know how much real love
and unselfishness and happiness
you can offer this girl If you snatch
her away from home that centers
on her."
You seem to have rather a low
opinion of the world outside Persia.
Pennsylvania" said Phina in a
silky voice with all edge under Its
sickness. 1T has-misjudged you.
perhaps? Your romantic ideas OF
what we are Offering her do not
approve. perhaps. the society of her
own brother-and perhaps a better
hat and shoes?"
Morgan lad flushed. as II some
phrase of Phina's struck home. but
he answered sharply none the less.
Il can only repeat that girl of
Iris's ideals and upbringing will not
be happy in the life you can give
her"
You seem to think the Lannings
down there are the only people in
Tire world who can love iris" said
Owen bluntly. Il happen to be ner
brother. and love her and want her.
So does Pima"
Iris. hurt at Morgan. a little
thrilled. little frightened, stood ir.
resolute.
I'D better go to supper" she de-
cided finally. That is her smile
fiashed.-"if you won't have van
ished into a cloud before tomor-
row."
Not at ALL" said Phina. gay
again.
Iris went over, and in the old.
fashioned affectiona.e Pennsylvania
fashion. kissed them both good
by. Owen kissed her In return and
said. You're a peach. See you to-
morrow" Then Morgan swept her
away.
(CotyyiSAs. 1886. Margaret WiGSsmsry
iris has her most thrilling day,