The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-05-22


substitute for Seforita Leonor. She
was the Firefy till she left a few
days ago.
give been in New York, giving
music-lessons. | only had one pupil,
and the bank where ! had put my
money closed its doors. heard about
Leonor's leaving the circus, so I
went over to Jersey, and got her job.
l had to have money. and my family
my father. especially-are not very
friendly with me just now. I've al.
ways been able to ride. But | didn't
make anything out of the circus. l
left before 1 was paid. l couldn't
stand Torrobin any longer"
"But you liked the clown" Dirk
said, with no motive but to make her
talk on, for she had fallen silent.
She looked away.
"Yes," she answered. 81 liked the
clown"
"Was he badly hurt?" Dirk asked.
u think not. You see | came away.
| couldn't stand Torrobin any longer.
And the Jameson Hotel-the place
where | had been stopping-I owed
them money. They were holding my
trunk"
She looked at him, added quickly.
That's what | wanted to see a
lawyer about. About my trunk, and
the money the circus owes me-"
Scarcely adequate reasons, Dirk
thought, for a midnight call on a
lawyer, let alone marriage to that
lawyer. Yet no doubt they seemed
sufficient to the girl. He had no de-
sire to doubt her account.
She came back to her question.
Are you going to tell Bim?"
Dirk said no. that he had no inten-
ton of telling Rupert. but if Zorro
bin came and found her here it
might all come to light.
IF it does" she answered, "Ill ex.
L plain. But l don't want your
brother to know ii | can help it.
There was only one thing he asked
me, and you know when a mans
been drinking. he betrays what's up
permost In his mind He asked If
was decent girl. didn't feel decent,
marrying him like that just to save
myself mean, Just to find a refuge
from debt and-and Torrobin. But
that wasn't what your brother
| meant.
People in the circus are decent
just as he meant the word. Why,
even my talking to you those few
minutes was breach of the code.
But he mightn't know these things,
mightn't believe them"
Dirk was silent. Now he under.
stood. A decent girl. Elinor's taunt.
Elinor's words swimming to the sur.
face of that sea and fog in which he
had meant to drown them. Elinor's
word. goading him.
Dirk said. Don't worry. I'll take
care of TOrrobin If he comes"
mot you!" she said quickly. Cant
Timothy talk to him. tell him what's
happened. and that he can't see any
one?"
Certainly" Dirk answered. "And
if he makes any trouble, call the
police"
mot that either" breathlessly
Timothy seems =. He seems very
quiet and -. discreet. Torrobin may
not even know that | am here. He
may come just TO see you. If he does
come after me- IL ! was followed to
night. and he knows-he will &c
away when he learns have mar
ried your brother Unless-unless ht
should ask for your brother"
"My brothers name is Rupert,
said Dirk. whats yours?"
Hope" she said, and added, "I
don't want Rupert to see Torrobin
He will learn about the circus If h.
does. and not only that. TorrobiI
will tell him lies"
"I'll instruct Timothy" Dirk TOLD
her. And now. whatever tomorrow
held and Dirk's anxieties in tina
respect were concerned chiefly will
Rupert and his reactions-this chile
must go to bed. She couldn't sit OF
the stair the rest of the night, though
that was apparently her intention.
At a sound above them they
turned to see old Mary standing OF
the stair.
"Your room is ready. Ma'am." sh,
said.
Dirk asked where they were put
ting her.
"Mrs. Joris is to sleep in the tow
er-room." said Mary.
The tower-room had been hi:
grandfather's. There were NOR,
cheerful apartments in the house
but ii was comfortable enough.
Have you everything she needs? p
Dirk added.
81 think so, sir"
(Cesy,sAf. 1885. Aa,Sarst Bell RosstosJ
Dirk rises, tomorrow, to face a
frightening situation.