The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-13
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the doors, and put hand on hel
silk-sleeved arm. His force was more
than the physical hold. She had beer
poised to escape, but she found her
self meekly waiting.
81 came here" be went on. letter
going through an experience-neveI
mind what happened. l wasn't tC
blame. But the girl I'd believed In
had thought honestly loving-she
threw me over. My friends, that
thought had liked me for myself
nearly all walked out on me. said
good-by to the only two people who
did care. and walked out. -.
II came here. finally. ! didn't be.
lieve in anything or anybody. any
more. Well. found Uncle Will
and you. Honest. innocent. unselfish
people who would rather give than
take. got to believing in things
again.
"And by the time was that far |
found was in love with you. Iris, if
you'll stay here and marry me you
won't ever have to dress badly or
go without normal little pleasures.
I'll spend my life trying to make
you happy. love you. IL need you.
You're my faith in girls. Stay here.
Marry me-"
She stared up at his daVk, excited
face. She had grown to care for
Morgan, to be grateful to him for
the way he had stood by them
through trouble. But-marry him?
Marry this strange moody man who
terrified her sometimes, whom she
had grown to care for without think
ing whether it was brotherly or
what? What she found to answer
sounded inadequate.
IL never thought about any Of
that"
Think then. Iris-darling Iris!"
But before she could say more.
before she had time to more than
move away from him. Phna's taut
tailor-made figure stood at the door.
Your uncle wants to speak to
you. my DEAR" she said: and the
moment was over which might have
made Iris yield.
Uncle VIII spoke quietly.
"Your aunt and | have been els
cussing your future. dear" he said.
She wants you to go with her.
have no right to influence your de.
cision. Decide what is best and hap
piest for yourself. Both OF US will
always love you just the same"
4 UNIT Josephine. who had done
"A everything possible to influence
Iris's decision. waited like a SEN
tinel. Owen had reappeared and sat
motionless by the window. as honor
ably neutral as Uncle Will. but his
eager face spoke for him. Iris stood
silent for long two minutes.
(which is it. Iris?" Owen said
eagerly.
"Oh. Uncle WIFI" She ran over to
the bed and threw her arms tight
round his sagging shoulders. IF you
say so III stay!"
but what do want to do. dear?"
Owens my own brother" she
said pleadingly. And i would like
some OF the pleasures and palaces. I"
She looked at him with awe: she
had just seen him going through the
sort of scene one doesn't associate
with ones elders. But If you want
me-if you need me. dear-I'n stay"
He shook his head. mo. You're
right. you should go with your
brother for a while at least. And
! wasn't fair to you. Josie. | see it
now. Perhaps it will make up little
if give you my little girl"
Pima. alight with triumph.
rustled out.
Come upstairs" she said, 81 must
see what you can take with you.
Not much. imagine"
She was going!
Her foot was on the stair to fol-
low Phina to her bedroom on the
third floor. when Morgan, still
standing in the small room at the
stairhead. caught her wrist.
Listen to me. iris" he said pas
sionately. I'm not talking about
myself now. I'm not being selfish.
I'm talking about you. You've lived
a stranger. more unworldly life than
you know. here With G couple of
romantic elderly people. You've
seen a few village boys and girls.
The world your aunt's taking you to
isn't like that"
You sound as IL | were going to
darkest Africa among the savages,"
Iris said lightly. her eyes alight with
the excitement of her coming jour.
ney. I'm not an idiot. I'll have Aunt
Phina and Owen. can take care of
myself. If | can't I'll write and tell
YOU"
Then you won't stay-either for
me or yourself?"
Iris temper-that honest, brush
wood flame that flashed up and was
down again in half minute-fiared.
I'm going! And I'll win out! And
that's all there is to thatl" she said.
She turned and followed her aunt
upstairs. leaving Morgan standing
below.
fCotJtisit. 1856. Aa,garst Wil9emsrg
Iris fon,orrov en%ars &t,> ..,o.IS