The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-06-22
Chapter 35
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"CLAP me if I'm wrong. Dirk" Isa-
bel said, "but I've always felt
Rupert must have been tight when
he married Hope all of a-sudden
like that. right after Elinor had
turned him down. He doesn't seem
to see how you ). You know l felt
at first that you and Rupert would
fight over Hope. But he doesn't even
seem to see her, or to see how you
care. And he certainly doesn't seem
happy"
Though he's one of those who
need it," smiled Dirk.
Exactly. And so do you. think
If you would go to Rupert. and tell
him :. he'd give her up to you. It's
been done before"
Odd. He had been thinking that
himself. But he didn't like hearing
it from Isabel.
Its an idea," he admitted. "But
aren't you reckoning without Hope?"
"Am 1? Doesn't she -"
I'm afraid she doesn't. You see
she met me before she did Rupert"
Isabers slate-colored eyes grew
blank.
THAT surprises me. suppose |
assumed that any girl would want
you . if you wanted her."
''If that" said Dirk. lis sample
of your reasoning -"
"Well. it Is"
"Then you need help in picking
out a husband. Let's weigh the re-
spective virtues of Joe and Freddy"
"Oh, not the virtues, Dirk"
Il mean, of course, SO we can
throw out the one that has the most"
DIRK got home shortly after one
~ o'clock, remembering the full
day ahead of him. Mary opened
Hopes door as he reached the top of
the stair. Mrs. Joris, she said. want
ed to see him. wanted to hear about
the party. Would he come in a
minute?
In the dim light Hope was sitting
up in bed, the small painted shawl
about her shoulders. Her cheeks
were flushed. her hair tumbled. She
looked like wakeful, excited child.
"You don't mind?P she said.
Mind? l should say not"
He laid off his dark Inverness
coat, and white muller, took the big
gilt chair beside the bed. Mary. who
had waited up for him, and who was
tired. felt that she might undress
now, and go to sleep. She went out
and closed the door.
"You look grand" Hope said to
Dirk. 81 didn't see you before you
went"
81 listened at the door," he an
swered. Everything was so quiet /
thought you were asleep"
II haven't been asleep at all. /
thought every sound was you. /
wanted to see you tonight because
you are leaving so early. Please sit
closer, so that can look at you. Was
the party beautiful"
He came and sat beside her on the
bed.
II think you would have called it
wonderful he smiled and said.
did Isabel give you that?" Her
finger touched the silver flower in
his buttonhole.
Eyes. Want it?"
She held out hand.
ITS mAstletoe," she discovered.
"Mistletoe " It'll silver leaves"
Isabel awarded it to me as a
Croix de Guerre, because I'd been
brave"
Drawer"
81 decided whom she should
marry. 1t lay between Freddy Nevin
and Joe Vincent. We stripped and
weighed them, as it were. 1t was a
tie. We were in a smoking-lounge
and l said. Let's make it the one
who comes here to find you She
agreed. and before long, here came
Freddy. So that's settled"
did your bravery lie in giving
her up? You might have been very
happy with her. Dirk"
"She says not" he answered.
"She says she doesn't need hapri-
ness. All she needs is to be comfort
able. She says she ought not to
marry any one who needs happiness
=. who is capable of it, even. Conf
cal doctrine. isn't it,"