The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-09-26
Chapter 35
CONFESSION

CONFESSION
DORTER grinned. Have to be.
Trains and ships are the only
things | can't bluff into waiting for
me. OF course | could bear missing
this one, but I'm afraid it'd make me
unpopular"
You're darn right il would. !"
She phoned for the porter and then
turned and smiled at him. I'm sorry
can't ask you to sit down."
"Oh, yeah? You're fairly champ
ing to be off. Vibratin' with excite
ment and all that"
She was startled. And | thought
I was calm. she told herself: it's a
good thing there's a trip ahead to
justify me- She said lightly:
who wouldn't be? I haven't seen
my family tor six months"
That's the way to see family,
- he said bluntly. Every six months. I"
"Cynic She picked up ner gloves
and pocketbook and went to open
the door for the bell-boy. When
the Negro had taken her bag Por-
ter stared at her gravely.
81 wish you weren't going"
But III be back Thursday, and
you sometimes go for days without
seeing me What's the difference?"
"A lot don't like ne idea of your
being out OF reach. How about let
ting me drive over to Meredith and
/ bring you back?"
. She held her breath. actually she
was coming Wednesday. because
Blake would be back then.
That's sweet of you, butt don't
: know. I'll drop you note. -" When
, I've thought up a good excuse. she
added to herself.
The city was gay and brilliantly lit
as they drove through it. A deceptive
brilliance. she thought. hiding weari-
ness and unease and despair inten-
sified by the knowledge that despair
had no place in the picture. Remem-
I bering the disillusionment of her
last Christmas at nome she tried to
I steel herself by expecting nothing
Z this time. Nothing but three days
with her family. who were incapable
disappointing her.
Porter was quiet. too. apparently
absorbed in his skillful. breath-tak-
! ing driving. At the station he bought
4 magazine and chocolate. and put
ner on the train with his usual -four
; isl. Porter had a flair for living:
even the most casual attentions
F took on a certain grace and signifi-
. canoe wheL he performed them. He
sank down beside her for minute
p. See anybody in this car that you
know"
mo. Why"
Nothing" He grinned. and leaned
swiftly over and kissed her. by.
s beautiful Please decide to let me
s Crive you back"
He went down the aisle without
looking at her again, and she sat and
stared blindly out the window.
~ CHE would not, Carol had promised
~ herself confide in any of her
family But she had overlooked Pats
4 gift of divination. Sunday afternoon
he pulled himself iazily from his
chair and stretched.
81 feel like a stuffed hog HOw's
about a brief turn around the Mall,
i Carol. before the caller swoop down
and start their drinkin'?"
at sounds that attractive" she
) admitted. You. too Jill?"
5 Jill shook her head and smiled.
8 1--WE got date with d man."
The last vestige of CONSTANT
about Don had vanished. Caro-. real.
: lied gladly. He came and went gal
az and mai. no-attempt to hide his
happiness and his devotion. Don as
a prospective brother-in-law was far
more satisfactory than Don as pos
sibIe husband.
"Oh. il that case. Where's
Milly?" she asked Pat.
Upstairs sleeping off her eating
= i.g. Come or
They lent of briskly and turned
towards the hills beyond the house.
you haven't forgotten how to
walk" Pat approved. Even If you
are a city slicker."
'Tu never be that. I'm afraid
/. Those beastly pavements still hurt
nv feet: like grass. and red clay
to do my walking on.
She was savoring again the sense
of ease and completeness that Pats
presence inspired. She might never
know elsewhere. she -ealized. so ef'
fcrtless a. companionship as hers
with Pat