The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-09
Chapter IL
BITTER TRUTH


HAVEN'T you any money!"
l. asked Iris.
at would take what we both have
for all that. and to carry me till
things get better-this is bad time
for architecture anyhow. But that
isn't the point: Sigrid won't marry
me till cut out working for Pima.
But | owe it to Phina. much as
hate being a man-milliner."
His shoulders sagged a little.
There seemed nothing to do but to
slip her hand in his and say, I'm
sorry"
But what about your" he de-
manded more briskly. who's this
Black that seems Lo be running
everything? You engaged?"
Goodness. MOI" Iris answered
aghast. Just a boarder AS for even
being interested in each other. we
began with a terrible row. He's a
splendid friend. thought" she add
ed. Hes been wonderful to Uncle
Will. We don't know much about
him, except that Uncle Will says he
knows enough about human nature
to know he's never done anything
very wrong"
Owen was a little white as he en-
tered the house: but he was saying
flippantly, For unworldliness. you
should all get large leather medals"
On the stairs they met the doctor
coming out.
"Oh, hasanything happened?" Iris
demanded: the doctor did not come
to that economical household unless
something was very wrong indeed.
The doctor spoke to her cheerily.
"Only a touch of neuritis. hang
over from your uncle's hurt leg. And
a bit nervous excitement. | under
stand" He looked keenly at Owen.
Enthusiastically Lanning. HE can
see visitors; it's better for him than
suspense. But he mustn't get up for
q couple of weeks. This is your
brother. isn't it?"
Eyes. My brother Owen"
Good. Glad to see you here. my
boy. You'll find you have very fine
people. Now go along and meet your
uncle"
Uncle William was ready for
them. calm and interested in mis-
armchair. I'm glad to see you. my
boys. was all he said. Queerly. owen
came over and put his hand in mis-.
Iris slipped out Of the room Before
she was gone she could see them.
Owen and Uncle win. sitting for
ward. beginning to talk in the slow
cool friendly way they both had.
She smiled a little to herself. They
would get on.
After perhaps half an hour Owen
came downstairs. He spoke in the
light way she had learned was mis-
armOr.
Grand old guy" he said. Then.
as if he didn't mean to be so in
earnest but couldn't help it: "Rela'
tionship's a queer thing. Iris. ex-
pected this would all be pretty awk'
ward: but-hang il all - | belong
with you and Uncle Will! I'm the
same breed OF cat. It's the oldest
feeling possible. | never believed in
kinship before"
"What did Uncle Will say when
you said that?"
LIE laughed. HE said. Call 1t
Il chromosomes. my BOY. and a
young sophisticate like you'll feel
mere at ease over it, You know
u swell"
81 thought we were just usua!
people" said Iris. Lots like US all
over the place"
He shook his head. Show me
Fathers pictures-that did it all"
he said abruptly.
She opened the door OF the beau
tiful long old parlor. She stood by
the door. and watched him move
about the room. she saw him pass
one picture. pause at another. till
he had made the round OF them
twice. He returned to her. "All right,
let's co." was all he said.
mo. Tell me-"
He was direct. "All wasted. No
good at all. Iris"
She backed against the wall She
felt as If someone had struck her
over the heart. Her great eyes
blaZed.
"AIi for rI;nIIF? Uncle VIII and
Arnt Josephine not marrying-all
our years of pinching and self-denial
all Aunt Elias Shaving in the
kitchen.
eyes. And the broken marriage.
TOO. That vas because NJ ( b T
wanted our father TO earn money.
SO that I could be given an educa-