The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-11
Chapter II.
STRONG WORDS

STRONG WORDS
sX/OU would spend your winters
i with US in our Park Avenue
apartment, and the summers either
on Long Island or travelling" Pima
went on. 81 can give you everything
you should have, and | will With
me, you should make the sort OF
marriage that is right for you"
Ovens words had almost made
her say an eager yes; but Phina's
were so detached and cool that
something in her shivered away for
a moment The orchestra was play
ing a tripping dance of Delibes'; the
chatter of groups around them. the
hurry of walters. went on. After
all, to go away from people who
were fond Of her :. Phina didn't
say anything about love.
"Do you want me-because you
like me?" Iris said, stumbling a
little.
Pima smiled.
"You foolish child, who wouldn't?"
"It's wonderful-it's like fairy
tale" she said. "But | can't say
yes this minute. May / tell you
tomorrow"
"Of course you may" Pima said.
But her air said that 1t was set
tied. 81 have to telephone New
York now" she added. wait for
me In the lobby. when you finish"
"She keeps the shop tied to tele'
phone wire." said Owen. Never a
detail gets out from under Phina's
hand"
shes wonderful-and isn't she
generous!"
Owen did not answer for a mo-
ment Then with visible effort.
he begun to talk.
"She is wonderful. And she is
generous. But she never gives with
out some prospect OF return. I'm
being disloyal to her. but you're my
own sister. | want you because
you're young and kind and human
and belong to me. Pima has some
reason, I'm afraid. beyond all that
It may be merely to pay of Aunt
Ella, whom she has Dever forgiven
and never will. Come. anyhow. Iris.
need you like the devil! But don't
take Pima for a romantic or you'll
be disappointed"
why" said Iris, wide-eyed. "if
there's something could do for
her to pay her back. I'd feel bet.
ter about going! It's such a lot TO
take!"
Owen said no more.
WHEN she returned home she
w ran upstairs. happy. excited. to
show herself.
"Isn't my hair nice this way? The
rings are kept In shape with bril-.
liantine so they can't come out! !
don't look like whisk-broom! And
see my shoes-and my nailsl" She
showed the pointed pink-tipped fin
gers. the smart suede shoes and
gloves. the dusky hair thinned and
shaped and polished. outlining her
living. lovely young head.
Nothing anybody could do to 1t
would make yer anything but
pretty" said Uncle William. "a sup
pose that's the way girls should
look now"
"She's been taking you up into
an exceedingly high mountain"
Morgan said bitterly from the little
table by the window where he had
been at work
1t was too much. on top OF this
radiant, wonderful day! Its not
your affair as far as can see." Iris
told him with more of anger than
she had shown since their first days
together.
Before he could answer there was
rap on the half-open bedroom door.
MAY we come in?" said Aunt
Phina's cool loud voice.
Uncle viii sat up, light on mis-
face that transformed him for the
moment into a young man.
"Josie. my dear!" He held his
hands out.
There was no answering light on
the face Of the tall woman who came
toward him. She smiled brightly,
mechanically. as something told Iris
she haC been doing for years.
"I'm sorry to see you so ill.," she
said conventionally.
He stared up eagerly at the arti
ficially smooth face. the set smile
"Do you know. my dear. you look nc
older now than you did then? sup
pose his thin sensitive face
flushed as she took his hand eel
look an old man to you"
"You look as If you'd had n hard