The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-23
Chapter "a
UNCLE WILL
"OWEN says Allan Beckley


UNCLE WILL
"OWEN says Allan Beckley is
~ planning to give dinner for
you," Pima went on. you can't miss
that"
"He was just going to set the date
when | told him had to CO."
Pima spoke with controlled an
noyance-
Iris, do you realize just who and
what Allan Beckley is? So far as
there is any genuine society left in
New York, ne is at the very heart
and powerhouse of it. You have the
iucrndible luck to run into him
practically as you come into the city.
and to have him Immediately plan
to give you dinner-party; and you
say. I'm sorry. sir. but my uncle
Las the grippe. and have to go
home!'"
lam sorry! But he has, and do!"
Pima, reaching a long capable
arm to a nearly invisible depression
in the .ilvery mantel said, I'll have
Honora get him."
Who or what she meant Iris did
not know until Honora's violet tat
feta and wise smiling Irish face ap'
peared.
Get me Persia five-o-two-J. Hon
ora, please"
When HOnora returned with the
news that she had the number, Pima
rose and sauntered to the sound
proof telephone in the next room.
Shortly she came back. 81 have
Will on the wire. He says he is per-
iectly well, and he thinks it would
be foolish for you to break up your
engagements and all our plans by
coming back now. But you'd better
talk to him yourself"
Mp dear little girl" said her
unclr's kind, precise voice when the
first EXPLANATIONS were over. you
mustn't think of returning and los
ing your educs tional advantages.
I'VE mustn't waste Josie's money"
he went on. only tell me. are you
we'll and happy and having a good
time? And how is Owen? Ovens a
fine boy"
"Yes, yes, darling. And Owen is a
fine boy. He's as like you as he can
be It's all wonderful. I'm awfully
happy. Are you sure I'm not self
ish? And are you really not very
i'll? Your letter frightened me-"
ut was little more than a bad
cold | must insist on your staying.
Gear. Persia will still be here in the
spring. Tell Josie I'll send the music
books as soon as can find them"
ooh, / will! And I'll be over long
before that for visit, whether you
want me or not"
Staying, like a wise child?" said
Phina when Iris returned. Iris
bodied. 81 thought Will would per-
suade you" She added with sudden
intensity: Hes too good for this
world! There's such a thing as be-
ing a fool for goodness, and that's
what Wills always been!"
THE flash of youthful violence
L Iris lad once before seen again
came over Phina's massaged
smOOthed face.
IF I'd married him | suppose I'd
De .,iah-minded idealistic unhappy
idiot this minute" she said harshly.
well. better as it il. Our ideas were
too unlike: Ella doubtless did me
good turn. Iris. by The way. | want
you to call Allan Beckley and tell
him you aren't going away. Do it
lightly. but have him Put the dinner
on gain"
"Oh, Aunt Phina, I'd rather not"
You ,ld-fashioned little thing"
Again HOnora was ordered to get a
number. and Phina. laughing. sent
Iris TO the wire She went, feeling a
l'ttle ashamed OF being ashamed.
But the clipped servant-voice that
answered said neutrally that Mr..
BeCkley had gone out of town. He
might be gone for some weeks. If
Madame would leave her number?
Partly with relie4. partly with dis
appointment, Iris returned and re-
ported to Phina, who lifted a re.
signed eyebrow and suggested bed.
Tie autumn went on, and slipped
into winter. The days seemed very
short. they were so packed and
4se. There were classes in social
work. where she met Camilla again.
am once or twice Georgia. and
though which she made some pleas
am acquaintances.