The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-09-24

|uER first waking thought was
II Blake; her second Marge and
Harry. But little Hal was better; he
had to be. She lay for a moment
with her face hidden, tasting the
sweetness of last night; remember.
ing how Blake had looked and felt.
The phone rang and she ran to an.
swer It. Harry's voice said: Carroll"
and plunged into his message. Hes
better: his pulse and his tempera'
ture are down. The doctor says he
ought to pull through. -"
She swallowed hard. "Oh, Harry.
I'm so glad. 7 knew he would. :"
Her voice was shaking, so she added
quickly: "I'll stop by the hospital
this afternoon. tell Marge."
She hung up the receiver and went
to get breakfast.
Five minutes later the phone rang
again and her heart plunged. Surely
little Harry couldn't have-not in
five minutes -.
She said "Yes?" in a small fright.
ened voice, and then grew limp
with relief. Blake's voice. asking:
ibid you sleep well. my darling?"
"Oh." She sat down weakly. Good
morning. Yes, l did-better than
ever in my life. think. And you?"
81 hated to sleep, because then I
couldn't remember--not conscious
ly."
But my dear, you must. After all,
there are lot of days."
81 suppose there are. WE'LL
won't keep you now. I'll see You in
an hour"
Eyes. Goodby. -"
She wondered uneasily, entering
the office. how well they could hide
the miracle that had happened to
them. know it's written all over
me. she thought; hope he doesn't
have to see me about anything.
To her great relief he did not
speak to her during the day. But
as she walked towards the carline
an automobile drew up at the curb
and a voice said laughingly:
Gould 1 give you a lift. LADY,"
Happiness surged over her in a
warm food. She frowned. Il don't
usually encourage pickups. but just
this once :. -" and slipped in beside
him.
He laughed low IN his throat.
How'd l do today?"
Beautifully. | felt as If I'd never
even been introduced to YOU"
At the Sherwood she said firmly:
Its my turn to cook dinner. so you
needn't argue it."
He grinned. 81 wouldn't dare. But
can't bring over. that steak you
were Dragging about?"
"Yes. you can do that"
1Ao ooIu' 4Ou udI Alh6' anu IuCA
shook himself. Get out. before for.
get where we are!"
She got out. hugging to her heart
the thought of one more evening
snatched from the clutching hands
Of Olympus.
DUT they knew. very certainly.
- that they could not be too much
together. The Sherwood was as in
different and impersonal as any city
apartment house. but their friends
might find them out.
When Porter Murray or any other
acquaintance suggested an engage.
ment she accepted promptly. and
Blake. for all the hunger in his eyes.
admitted that she was right. On
those evenings he made it point to
drop in on his friends or to instigate
bridge game at his club.
He abhorred concealment and
subterfuge - furtiveness had no
place in his heart OF in his love-
but he wanted with all the intensity
Of his nature to protect Carol from
the loose tongues OF a curious world.
On the first Sunday they drove far
into the country and left the car in
lane. to merge themselves with
the actual solitude Of the woods.
The day was soft and dim. and pines
stood in their own darkness. breath.
ing the incense of their own needles.
"Sit down. Blake. and let's finish
talking this out"
He thrust his hands into the
pockets Of his leather jacket to hide
their trembling.
Must we-drag problems into
Paradise?"
What better place could there be
to face a problem than in Paradise?"
She found great oak whose spread
ing roots formed a resting place and
he dropped down beside her and
leaned his head against the trunk"
Have you written Irma" she
asked unevenly.
No" She might come home, he
knew. to put a stop to this per.
Torrance" I'm going down there
and have It out with her. Next
weekend"
Copyright, 1885, by Marian simsJ