The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-08-29

Sands! Wanta rider"
Three boys grinned on the front
seat. One of the boys poured himself
over the edge and opened a door
bearing the chas:e inscription: "She
may be old. but she still gets hot!"
Rather than dampen enthusiasts
they got in and were propelled nois.
lily and cheerfully to Mrs. O'Connor's
doorway.
The boys were reluctant to leave.
They pummelled each other and
guffawed. and Mrs. Taylor, cutting
zinnias in the yard next door, looked
and listened avidly.
Carol said quickly: Thanks for
the ride. Jake. We've got to run -"
and dragged Ellen up the walk with
her. The Ford churned away.
THAT old devil would be there"
she muttered. Hurry up; the bath
rooms probably pre-empted till mid.
night already. -"
IDENIs arrived earlier than usual
- that night. and Carol came down
TO find him in the living-room star
ing into an empty fireplace. For the
first time since she had known him
b didn't rush to meet her: he
turned slowly where he stood. and
she looked at him and stopped
breathing for an instant.
The room was hushed and wait.
ing. She said finally:
-. When. Denis?"
Next "Wednesday. Oh, God.
Carol I. 6. :. !" He turned his back
again and the silence throbbed.
She sat down. not because she
wanter ,J.I but because her knees
were shaking.
well :. we're supposed to re-
joice. aren't we"
Are WEI" He moved across the
room, took her hands and pulled her
to her feet Come on. then: let's
go over home and-rejoice."
Mr.. and Mrs Ford were out, and
Carol felt a vivid embarrassment
at the oh viousness of her destina.
tion and Denis's. In his fathers
study Denis took her in his arms and
crushed his mouth against hers,
then they stood apart md looked at
each other. Denis's eyes. she real
ICED incredulously. were as wet as
her own. She had never before seen
man cry, and the sight was shat.
tering.
He said hoarsely: "Sit down,
angel, and let's talk. =" But when
they were on the couch he kissed her
again, longer and harder than be-
fore.
Tell me about it," she prodded
him. Anything to disDel this feeling
Of rope tightening about them.
drawing them togethe. again.
tits the Washington job. Hunters
leaving Saturday for Russia, con-
found himi"
Don't be an idiot" She tried to
say 1t sharply. bu: the word sounded
like a caress. "You can't sit here
forever: you're lucky to get a job.
And can't think of better place
from which to-laugh at the show.
Right at the ringside."
yeah" His mouth looked harsh
and young. "Only don't feel like
laughing"
"But you WILL" And a lot sooner
than even | think you will. she re-
minded herself bitterly. Men didn't
fall in love as precipitately and
thoroughly as Denis without a great
deal Of practice.
He lifted his head and looked at
her. "Carol-come with me. It's
fifty week. We could live on that"
"You know as well as do that
it won't last. You love me now: I'd
be an idiot to doubt it. But you've
loved girls before. and youll love a
lot more. And for all my loose re-
marks. I've still got a passion for
permanency and stability"
He took her hand and looked
thoughtfully at 1t. You'd be the best
ballast In the world. angel. can't
imagine going haywire If l had you"
mo. Denis"
He searched her face for several
{ ,nds. then visibl. pulled himself
together. well. guess I'm
licked. :"
She tried to explain her refusal,
but her voice was toneless.
"Denis. it seems to me that some
body's always depending on me.
Milly does 1t. and Pat. Even the most
promising pupil in school. Can't you
see that Id like somebody to lean on
myself? Tell me again that I'm a
coward; know It."
"No." His voice was as dead as her
own. 81 guess I'm the coward. But
would you come If made it alone for
a while?"
81 think would. Try it and see."
II will" He said It quietly, sub
dued by her passivity. Nov I'm go
ing to fix a drink. And we'll talk
about :" he smiled dimly. what
did you suggest the first night? Elm.
stein?"
Copyright. 1885. By Marian StmsJ