The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-06-12
Gypsy 9DeafEers&A
~ MARGARET BELL HousTot


aren't you going to tell me where
it is?"
Rupert has It," he answered
quietly. Mora took it in to Rupert"
"You mean Rupert has it with him
:. at camp?"
81 don't know yet It hasn't been
found in his room. I've ordered Nora
to make thorough search. l have
my own reasons for hoping he didn't.
see fit to go of with such a thing.
You don't hunt grouse with re-
volvers."
She had paused, and after a mo-
ment:
81 know" she said. speaking as
quietly as he. at may be :. he didn't
take it." as if to reassure them both.
1T may be he merely didn't want
me to have it If Nora finds it -"
"If Nora finds it." Dirk finished as
she paused. you shall have it back.
Or I'll get you another. II you are
afraid. and won't leave the room -"
"I'm not afraid" she broke in firm.
ly. "The gun is not new"
well. at any rate. you won't leave
the ROOM"
81 see no need to-"
"All right. Hope. But admit you
are nervous. and not very WELL"
He had approached her on his way
to the door. was holding out his hand
as if in good-by. She seemed not to
see the gesture. but he continued TO
stand there. and presently she laid
her hand in his.
"And cold" he added. "Your hand
is like ice."
Il know" she admitted. II can't
get used to your winter"
"I'll tell Bernard to send up more
heat" he said.
She had felt about her shoulders
for the little shawl L. was still In
Dirk's hand. and he laid it around
her. She was close to him now. Her
tumbled hair brushed his face.
Hope. dear! -. Hope. please. 80"
He felt her stiffen beneath the
shawl. teneath his hands. She with
drew. moving slowly now standing
beside the chair. facing him, wait
ing for him to go.
TT WAS no use. She wouldn't con.
L fide in him. wouldn't admit even
that there was anything to confide.
She had no faith in him. had even
thought him capable of stealing her
revolver. And he had estranged him.
self still further by accusing her of
fear.
After ALL" he said. sit takes a
pretty brave girl to owr forty-fve
gun. take back what ] said about
your being afraid. But do say you
aren't well. and | don't want you to
have any more shocks. Martin or
otherwise. II you do hear anything.
hope you'll call me-"
The little smile he had seen that
first night touched the corners of
her mouth.
Il suppose" she said. "that you're
a tower of bravery. yourself"
well. at any rate" b, answered.
Il could fight anything you were
mad at"
$50 can l." she said.
Then the two Of us could lay any
thing. want you to call me. and II
you don't get better right away.
want you to see a doctor. Prom
ise?"
She nodded. family smiling. stand
ing in the aura OF the lamp
In the hall Dirk met Mary ap
preaching with a tray. Earlier in the
evening he had wondered about
Mary. about the freedom OF her &C
cess to Hopes room when the other
servants were excluded He had dis
missed the question with its aroma
of distrust.
Mary. had from the start appro
priated Hope with respectfully ma
ternal hand. She was slightly deaf
and very ne-r-sighted. and complete
ly lacking In suspicion.
Always she had evinced a discon
certing gift for accepting any &C
count as true. Dirk remembered how
she had said to him tina first Sunday
morning. the morning that Hope had
disappeared. and he had ridden out
to find her: Mrs. Joris has been to
church. SIR"
He had doubted this with a vague
and unhappy doubt. but Mary had
believed it.
This quality In Mary-a credulit,
that no doubt had its root In loyalty
Hope had 10 doubt OWNED. And
who. when III or troubled. would not
have preferred Mary's precise and
gentle ministrations;
Dirk replied now to her INQUIRIES
concerning Rupert. and said to her:
I'm worried about Mrs. Joris.
think we should call DOCTOR"
Mary answered that Mrs. Joris
didn't seem Ill enough for that
She'll be all right" Mary added.
What do you think 1t is?" Dirk
asked.
Worry, sir that's ALL"
fCctrrfsEk 1855 Ma, Sa-<t R<lf g,~,I.-l