The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-02-25

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for some time. They discovered
many common acquaintance and
friends, and by the end Of that day
frankie felt, with a guilty qualm.
that they had become friends.
Mrs. Bassington-ffrench referred
several times to her husband and to
her small boy. Tommy. She seemed
a simple woman. deeply attached to
her home: yet for some reason or
other frankie fancied that she was
not quite happy. There was an anx-
ious expression in her eyes some
times that did not argue a mind at
peace with itself.
On the third day frankie got up
and was introduced to the master
Of the house.
He was big man, heavily-jowel-
ed. with kindly but rather alb.
stracted air. He seemed to spend a
good deal of his time shut up in his
study. Yet frankie judged him to be
very fond of his wife. though inter-
esting himself very little in her con-
Germs.
Tommy. the small boy. was seven.
and a healthy. mischievous child.
Sylvia Bassington-ffrench obviously
adOred him.
'It's so nice down here" said
frankie with sigh. She was lying
out on a long chair in the garden.
Il don't know whether it's the bang
on the head. or what it is. but just
don't feel | want to move. I'd like
to lie here for days and days"
We'll. do" said Sylvia Bassing-
ton-ffrench in her calm, injurious
tones. mo, really. | mean it, Do:':
hurry back to town. You see" she
went on. Its a great pleasure to
me to have you here. You're so
bright and amusing. 1t quite cheers
me up"
so she needs cheering up"
flashed across Frankie's mind. At
the same time she felt ashamed of
herself.
Il feel we really have become
friends" continued the other wom-
| an.
FRANKIE felt still more ashamed.
1t was a mean thing she was do.
ing - mean mean - mean. She
would give it up! Go back to town
Her hostess went on. 1T won't be
too dull here. Tomorrow my
brother-in-law is coming back. You'll
like him, I'm sure. Everyone likes
Roger"
HE lives with you?"
"Off and on. He's a restless crea.
ture. He calls himself the ne'er-do-
we'll of the family. and perhaps it's
true in a way. He never sticks, to q
job for long-in fact l don't believe
he's ever done any real work in his
life. But some people just are like
that-especially in old families. And
they're usually people with a great
charm Of manner. Roger is wonder
fully sympathetic. don't know what
I should have done without him this
Spring when Tommy was ILL.,"
What was the matter with Tom
my?"
He had bad fall from the swing.
1t must have been tied on to a rotten
branch, and the branch gave way.
Roger was very much upset because
he was swinging the child at the
time-you know. giving him high
ones such as children love. We
thought at first Tommy's spine was
hurt, but 1t turned out to be a very
slight injury and he's quite all right
now"
HE certainly looks it," said
frankie, smiling, as she heard faint
yells and whoops in the distance.
81 know. He seems in perfect con-
dition. It's such a relief. He's had
bad luck in accidents. He was nearly
drowned last winter"
WAS he really?" said frankie
thoughtfully.
She no longer meditated return.
ing to town. The feeling Of guilt had
abated. AccidentsP Did Roger Bas-
sington-ffrench specialize in acct
dents, she wondered.
She said: "If you're sure you mean
it. I'd love to stay little longer. But
won't your husband mind my but
ting in like this?"
"Henry?" Mrs. Bassingto ton.
ffrench's lips curled in a strange ex-
preston. mo, Henry won't mind.
Henry never minds anything-now-
adays."
frankie looked at her curiously.
"If she knew me better she'd tell
me something" she thought to her.
self. Il believe there are lots Of odd
things going on in this household"
Henry Bassington-ffrench joined
them for tea, and frankie studied
him closely. There was certainly
something odd aboutethe man. His
type was an obvious one-a jovial,
sport-loving, simple country gentle
man.
But such a man ought not to sit
twitching nervously, his nerves obvi-
ously on edge.
(CesyiSIt I933-35-36, AsAsks CGrisfis)
frankie meets Roger sassinaton.