The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-01-03

through the terrace doors.
AS she stood there her father came
in from the tap-room. He had a
woman on his arm-a slim woman
with very pale face, eyelids painted
golden. and an evening gown not
in the best of taste.
-Allaire recognized her. She was a
famous movie actress. Or she had
been once.
my God" exclaimed her father.
Where did you come from?"
drove from Washington" she re-
turned. Hello, Tala."
Hello. Allaire darling" said the
pale woman.
Ray was just beginning to re-
cover from his surprise.
Il haven't seen her for weeks"
he told Tala. Fact. And now she
shows up all Of suden."
Il want a room and BATH" said
Allaire politely. Southern exposure
and American plan. And do you al.
low children?"
Il think" said Tala lazily. "I'll go
to bed. don't feel good for thing"
Goodness" commented Allaire,
lis as a morning cloud and as the
early dewitt goeth away"
PUT me down as early dew" said
Tala YEARLY. She left the room and
Allaire looked at her father, dark
eyes ironic.
"Still paying tuition for night
school. Ray?"
LIE sat down without answering.
IL He looked tired. but he was
still handsome. thick iron-grey hair,
slate-blue eyes in a tanned face, and
athletic figure. He'd never be fat
and he would always have the gift
Of wearing his clothes with distinc.
ton.
What have you been doing late
ly?" he asked.
1.-THE usual thing" said Allaire.
Theatre parties dinner dances. a
few night clubs, and a lot of small
talk. Got sick of it and went to
Washington to see Nell" She
shrugged. Got sick of that too"
Ray chuckled.
Pretty terrible. isn't It? Who's
Nell got on her string now? Some
polished young under-secretary
from the Bolivian Legation with
white spats and penciled mus
tache?"
He laughed again. Lord. what a
bunch of Don Quixotes hang around
her. She fills their skins with sherry
and they all go looking for wind.
mills. Don't blame. you FOR leaving"
Ray" she returned. "it's no bet.
ter here and don't you forget it."
"You always were inclined to be
snooty." Her father picked up the
brandy decanter. You're the proud.
est person on this green earth"
The girl in white polo coat gave
an impression Of young Diana
with FURNISHED hair and a quick
1.-THE strength. She blended in with
the world of grace and rhythmic
beauty represented In those CLEAN.
ing tall silver cups and the pictures
of clean-limbed racing perfection.
And Rayburne West. with the
early morning sun streaming on his
evening clothes and the smell OF
brandy and that pale woman's per.
fume about him. seemed a natural
completion to the canvas OF bottles,
glasses. melting ice. and ash trays.
He seemed to sense that In her
cool level glance. for he suddenly
set his glass down and looked at
her with some irritation.
What's come over your" he de-
manded. "You user to ride all day,
dance all night. and pipe every man
to mast for miles around. Don't try
to kid me. Allaire." he requested.
You can't put your hair in pigtails
and make bee-line for the nearest
convent all Of a sudden. You've
raised plenty OF hell in your time"
Il know" She inclined her head.
Although hope my particular
brand was never in bad taste. But
I've suddenly realized what I used
only to suspect-the best years OF
my life are going by. wasted In
silly inane motions that have no
significance whatever"
She absently twined a finger In
a small tendril of blonde hair at
her forehead. Il want to feel worth
while" she said quietly. Does that
sound like Chinese?"
NO." he said. Il understand per.
fectly. You'd like to be the pioneer
woman travelling with her mate In
a covered wagon shooting at In.
dams with one hand and holding
her baby in the other. Very admir-.
able. my dear. Every bored woman
feels like that once in a while. Too
bad there aren't any more covered
wagons"
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