The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-06-17
Chapter 81
DIFFICULT CASE


gown, and went down.
The Rev. Silas Devine stood in the
hall. Beside him on the table lay his
overcoat and dark gray hat. Dirk
received an impression of height,
of iron-gray hair, of strongly hewn
face with dominant nose and high
cheek-bones.
Despite his black clothes, the Rev.
Devine did hot look like a cleric. His
sun-browned face and lifted head
suggested an Indian chief. But his
eyes were blue. Blue and anxious
and, if Dirk was not mistaken. puz.
zled.
"Mr. Joris?" he asked. as they
shook hands.
Dirk Joris. My brother is i'll in
the country. 1t was who wired you"
How is she?" Devine asked. and
when Dirk replied that Hope was
not so well tonight, added at once,
"I'll go up"
Dirk answered that Hope must be
prepared, and moved with the caller
into the drawing-room. motioning
him to a sofa. There he sat beside
him. replying to his brief and trou-
bled questions regarding Hopes con-
ditiOn. There was nothing that would
suggest any lack of touch with Hope
up to the moment of her illness.
nothing except the visitors puzzled
glance that moved now and then
about the room, and came back to
rest on Dirk.
Dirk, replying, searched the call
er's face for some trace of resem-
blance to Hope. finding none. Again
Dirk was conscious that his para.
mount desire was to protect Hope.
to spare her embarrassment and
shock. Enlightenment, would surely
come in some chance word from Mr..
Devine-at lie It before he would be
permitted to go upstairs.
MR.. DEVlNE had not relaxed on
4'A the sofa. He sat erect. with head
only slightly inclined. listening to
Dirk's rather superficial account Of
Hopes illness. His large hands
gripped his knees.
At last he said:
"Of colrs" don't know your
brother" -...-.... .s.. .,......-.. d.
The .emark seemed to leave
something unspoken. something IL
Illuminated by his next question.
"Has she seemed happy?"
Dirk was careful il his reply. He
must not betray her tC this man,
father or not.
"At times" he answered. But
only at tines. Rupert isn't to blame.
however. He's been kind. indulgent-
Her unhappiness has been due. in
part. at any rate. to some estrange-
ment from her family. Naturally you
know the details bette than |. for
she has never confideC in me. !
thought It might heir her to have
you come on. That was why tele-
graphed you"
Mr. Devine bent his bright blue
scrutiny on Dirk.
she didn't ask you to wire?" he
said.
mo. did it. as | say, because
thought you might help her. No ply
stefan can"
The Rev. Devine lifted one hand
from his knee and put it down again.
His frown. the line of his jaw. ap
peAred 10 Rave frozen hard. He rose
81 am stopping at tn, Pennsylva
nia." he said. Il shall stay there till
there is some change in her condi
ton"
/ He walked out into the hall. picked
up his hat and coat. He looked at
his watch.
you will keep me advised?" he
asked.
Il will nc" said Dirk. This man
who had flown two thousand miles
because he thought Hope had tele-
graphed him was not willing to walk
upstairs to her when he found she
had not. He was undoubtedly her
father. decided Dirk. A little parent
like that around tn house might ex
plain an departure OF progeny.
81 don't know that she will be able
to see you tonight" Dirk said. But
if she will. and you are interested in
her condition. advise you to go up
for If you go away without seeing
her, shall not get in touch with vol
again"
THE REV. DEVINE looked away
l. Something like moisture hat
sprung into his eyes.