The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-01-24
Chapter 35
BREAKUP

BREAKUP
"OH. darling" said Allaire. Her
~ voice seemed to catch. "Oh,
darling" she began again. Don't
you think I've thought of this? I'll
marry you-if you want me to.
only"
"What?" said Fox. "Only what?"
"Only. George darling. l don't
think I'll ever get over that fighting
engineer terror. I've tried to-.
heaven knows l have. But" there
was a far-away look in her eyes,
somehow the note still rings"
He thought of that thin gold ciga.
ret case with the vanity mirror set
in platinum on the cover. and the
detectives demanding to see the girl
behind the door in Willett's hotel
room. Maybe that ringing note would
be stifled IL Allaire knew about that.
Her pride had lowered its cclors
once, but this Fox was suddenly
convinced that if she knew about
this, she would get over the memory
of that striding son of the engineer
ing camps. And she deserved to
know. Her future and his were at
stake. She couldn't go on like this.
He was silent so long that the girl
looked at him anxiously.
"Don hate me. George. l couldn't
stand it"
GOOD Lord, Allaire, why should
hate you because you can't forget
Terry Willett? But"
That's the second time you've
said but
did II" said Fox. Well, forgot
what was going to say" He smiled
grimly. 1t couldn't have been i'm
portant."
They decided to drive back to
Westlands and Allaire went to
change from her riding clothes. Fox
waited for her on the verancah.
Quite a few of the Show crowd
adjourned to Westlands that after.
noon, tide of people eddying around
tables on terrace and lawn. swirling
through the house; backgammon
and bridge going full blast. buffet tea
and hors d'oeuVres served both On
the lawns and in the taproom. cock.
tails being shaken up in a dozen
places.
Fox was absorbed by a bevy of
girls and departed with a half.
hearted grin. Allaire looked after
him a moment and then went into
Rays private study. Ray was confer.
ring with Blythe, the majordomo of
the household. on plans for the eve.
ming. He dismissed the butler as she
came in.
"Come on, baby" he said. "get
tidied up. You may have a tremen-
dous board to preside over tonight"
"Ray." she said idly. what would
you say if told you l was going
away?"
Going away: Where?"
South America"
He stared. astounded.
what the devil do you want to go
there for? thought George was TAX
ing up his duties in London. Has he
been shifted back?"
"No. he's still London-bound."
"Then WHAT" He stopped and
regarded her suspiciously. Don't
tell me you've called it no dice with
him too"
I'VE both called it no dice. Only
decent thing to do"
"And when did this South Ameri-
can idea pop up?"
CHE shrugged.
~ "It's been in my mind for a
long time. only couldn't quite bring
myself to it before. But I've felt like
a person with one arm ever since he
left, oh. sort of lonely and uncertain
and there's no use trying to kid my
self any longer. | should have gone
after him a long time ago. but moth
fng is going to stop me now"
you're talking about Willett, of
eourse?"
She nodded.
"of course"
Ray started to smile. And that
little smile lasted while he lit a Gig
aret and leaned back, viewing her
systematically through a cloud of
smoke.
~Allaire," he said. "I've tried to
warn you. You're heading for fog.
You don't know anything about
Willett-"
81 know enough"
He threw back his handsome head
and laughed.
"Allaire, the unattainable. IN
touched by scandal. possessed Of the
pride and ideals of a goddess"
She started to rise. He sobered
quickly.
wait a minute" he said. 81 owe