The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-09-15
Chapter %
BOSS FOR DINNER

paper on CarOI desk.
"The Acme Cleaners have Just in
stalled the Martex equipment, and
they want quarter-page ad about it..
Here's the technical information;
you'll know how much of it a Gus
toner would be interested in"
She nodded without speaking, and
began to study the information. The
hands of her watch said half-past
three; she would just about have
time to finish this afternoon. -.
She took it to him at five o'clock,
and waited while he read it. Prob
ably, she thought without resent.
ment. he wouldn't like it at all.
He read it through and chuckled.
you do take down your back hair
with 'em, don't you?" He added care
lessly:
II you don't mind waiting ten
minutes I'll drive you home"
She said frankly: aid wait an
hour to avoid that street car"
at must be awful. Tell the other
girls I'll take them too: they're of
my beat, but they probably feel the
same way"
The four Of them talked very little
during the drive to West End. With
in the Office they were at ease. bound
by a common interest. Outside its
walls, and in Blake's presence, they
were strangers to each other, and
their talk was shouted across gulf
Of different backgrounds. At their
own doorways Freddie and Laura
thanked him profusely, and were en-
quilted by their own homes.
WHEN they were alone Carol said
w abruptly: "Blake, it's perfectly
insane for you to work all summer.
It's not even good business. because
you're bound to pay for it sooner or
later. Why on earth don't you go to
Roekbrook for at least a week or ten
days?"
He turned his head and smiled
briefly at her. Have you ever seen
Reckbrook?"
"No, but I've seen several of its
cousins. Even If ii bores you. you
ought to have several days of rest.
Bored people usually get fat. don't
they? Fat and bored; they go to-
gether like ham and eggs"
Maybe. I'd rather be thin" |
'Then go somewhere else"
81 can't afford to go anywhere.
child"
"Rot. You can't afford not to-"
well. I'm not going to. so you
might as well save your thoughtful
ness for a worthier object. Not" he
added softly. after several seconds,
shat I'm not f1attered as the devil to
have it."
She sighed, and gave him up. For
the rest of the way they sat wrapped
in their own thoughts.
At the Sherwood she faced him
impulsively. moved by the loneliness
that lay so often behind his eyes.
"Why don't you come in and have
dinner with me?"
He shook his head. Let you cock
10 me on night like this? You're
2 peach to suggest it. but wouldn't
think of IT." He added reeklessly:
Suppose I come back in an hour or
30 and get you to have dinner with
me-"
mo. I've done that twice already
I've got food in the refrigerator that
has to be fixed. and it's no more
trouble to fin il for two. Maybe eat
ing too many restaurant meals is
what's dragging you down." She had
seen wistfulness flicker for an in.
slant across his face. and she knew
he wanted to come. And so she in
sisted. Come on. pleased"
He wavered. ooh. hell. can resist
anything but temptation. You
brought it on yourself"
al meant to. Park your car and
come on"
"No: I'll go home and have
shower. and give you a chance to do
likewise. I'll be back in thirty or
forty minutes and set the table"
CUDDENLY he looked years young
~ er. and for the first time she
despised Irma Thornton. Heretofore
Irma had been shadowy subject for
SDeculatiou. but a man who coilld be