The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-09-19
Chapter 80
ANOTHER WORLD


THE next week Ellen arrived,
4 glowing and self-consc1Ous;
marked by new and minute dia-
mond on her third finger. They had
lunch together. and Ellen detailed
her plans further.
It'll seem awfully funny to go
back to ASHORE as matrOn." she
chuckled. THE first thing I'd like to
do would be to go over and thumb
my nose at Mrs. Taylor"
Carol smiled. Dear Mrs. Taylor!
AS a matter of fact l ought to be
grateful to her. If it hadn't been for
her might have stayed on another
year, just because l was afraid to
step out"
Ellen looked keenly at her. you
really like it here?"
Il think | do-as much as any
where. | don't have much time to
think"
Ellen was. still eyeing Carol
shrewdIy. you look a lot better, you
know-as If you'd found something.
Are you in love?"
ooh. Lord. MOI" The vehemence of
her denial startled them both. Ellen
said skeptically:
well, don't bite my head off. It
wouldn't be so strange if you were"
She shook her head. Il wish |
could be. wouldn't deny it; Id
shout 1t from the Office window"
FIlen's eyes gloweG. 1t does make
you feel that way"
Carol changed the subject abrupt
ly. seeking tirmer ground. What's
the news from ASHORE? Did Mike
ever come back?"
"He hadn't the last time asked
Mack. Annabel's started divorce
proceedings"
Carols throat contracted at the
thought of Mike. She pushed the
thought away.
whats the rest of the news: Mr..
Hudson back this year,"
Yes. He seems to be a fixture.
And Mr.. Hall too"
1t was only with great effort that
she could remember the school as a
reality, existing and functioning
even as she existed. Queer. she
thought. how places ceased to be
when you left them: you were in
variably surprised that they went
on without you. just az they. no
doubt. would be surprised to know
that you went on without them.
Where will you live?" she asked.
We've taken a furnished apart
ment at Mrs. Houston's On Market
Street for the time being. Living
room. bedroom and kitchenette."
For the time being. Carols throat
swelled at the courage of that
phrase: at the youth and hope and
fearlessness of Ellen. who could find
her hearts desire in a furnished
apartment on Market Street, know
ing so surely that 1t was only for
the time being. What's wrong with
me? she thought desperately: was
born a thousand years old? She
forced herself to say enthusiast
tically:
1T sounds lovely" And suddenly
her eyes stung with tears, so that
she laughed unsteadily. Il get posi-.
lively maudlin when | think how
happy you must be-"
Ellen nodded soberly $50 do l.
But of course 1t won't always be as
good as think it's going to be. I'm
not that blind"
Ellen stayed two days. Days spent
in an orgy of shopping for all the
traditional trousseau garments. A
white suit" which meant under.
garments of white gossamer. and a
briual Ilgnisown. There was moth
ing of pagapism-to Ellen-in the
idea of faring forth upon matrimony
in virginia. white. She was even
planning a trousseau tea. at which
Sdi NOulQ OS
exhibited to a fluttering and en-.
vious circle of friends. Carol re-
membered unwillingly a remark
made by Annie. the Torrance cook,
when she was treated to a similar
display.
"Gawd. Miss Mary" Annie had
chuckled. you sho is plannin' to
tempt him!"
Well, she thought. why not? But
she was glad. and ashamed of her
own relief. when Ellen went back
to Anderson. Ellen was a demoraliz.
ing influence for a girl who was
trying to keep her mind on adverIis-
ing.
ON Wednesday before the we'd
~ ding Blake stopped beside
Carols desk.
What time are you leaving to-
morrow"
She glanced up in surprise. and
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