The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-06-09
Chapter "a
"coME AT ONCE"

"coME AT ONCE"
HOPE went on: 81 wanted to win
him. to make him happy. But |
couldn't. He was kind to me. He did
things for me, gave me things. But
it meant nothing. l was like a doll
that he dressed up for her to
see. He thought she might relent. He
hoped for this. And If she had -"
"But he was married to YOU"
Dirk reminded her.
81 know. Certain words were
spoken over US. If you mean that.
But how long would they have held
IL she had come to him?"
Dirk depressed a smile. The dag
nosis was so entirely feminine.
Anyhow" she said, 81 could have
told Rupert that Elinor would
never come. think maybe he came
to know this. But he went on get
ting pleasure out of showing her he
didn't care, out of thinking he hurt
her 20. with me- | was sort OF
weapon Maybe he found he hadn't
even hurt her, for she went serenely
on and got married. And that day :.
the day of her wedding he
came in my room for the first time.
and kissed me. He was drinking,
and angry. and pushed him away"
Dirk said.
Il don't blame you for that. |
think any woman would have done
the same"
But he left" she said. "He rode
out of town. He felt that no one
cared. And aren't there ways
and ways of winning a man?
Shouldn't a wife take any way she
CAM"
The discussion had become pain
full to Dirk. He replied.
81 thought you had won him. |
thought 1t when | saw your ring"
She smiled down ruefully at the
chased platinum band.
I'm glad you noticed it" she
said. Rupert never has. | bought
it myself"
Dirk went out on the kitchen
porch to get more wood. The snow
had drifted onto the porch. and the
wood had almost to be dug out.
When he came back into the room
Hope had slipped sideways in the
chair. her face pressed against the
rough hickory arm. She was asleep.
He lifted her, limp as child. and
carried her over to the bunk. spread
ing an army blanket over her. and
her raccoon coat. Then he mended
the fire and lay down on the bunk
opposite.
Dirk fell asleep. and was awak.
ened by a knock on the door. Hope,
too. sat upright 1t was Sandy,
standing in the dawn. beside his
sleigh
We've found him." report e d
Sandy. Down at Old Forge. at
Steve Clapp's house. He's in bed,
sick"
CANDY told them more as he drove
- them toward Old Forge.
1t had happened the night of the
big snow Rupert had got lost while
driving up In the obscurities of the
storm he had turned off the road
and had stalled. Then he had got
out. searching for help. afoot.
81 guess he saw Steve Clapp's
tight. Anyhow, they found him next
morning where he'd stumbled at
the gate. The dogs found him. He's
still unconscious. Doctor says he's
got pneumonia. Clapp heard there
was somebody lost around Big
Moose. and he phoned over"
Clapp's house was a cottage OF
four rooms. They had given Rupert
the best bed. and Mrs. Clapp was
taking care of him. Dirk telephoned
to New York for two nurses and
for Rupert's physician. He said to
Hope.
II want you to go home. We've
found him now. and we'll take him
to Lowrie soon as We can"
Dirk saw her to the train. grave
silent figure bundled in a raccOor
coat. brown antelope beret pulled
over her hair.
He fell strangely at ease regard
ing Hope-Hope and her childish
secrets. When she had gone he tele
phoned Martin to meet her train
telephoned also to Sanford Joris.