The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-08

gently after a minute, leaning back
in the old wreck which served Persia
as one of its two official taxis. RE
member. you may have known about
me. but never knew anything about
you. at ALL"
There isn't much. I'm Just an
ordinary sort OF person. Pima says
"a regular Lanning' when my slow
ways bother her." He smiled. But.
you know. it was strange that they
did not tell you. Is Aunt Ella a
little queer?"
"No-oh. mol She's like somebody
out of a romance or a tragedy.
grown old. that's all: one idea. and
that Daddy"
81 never saw anybody like that"
Owen said. his face lighting. Most
of the people | know want such
little. shallow. day-by-day things.
Even If she was wrong. it was a
sort of epic wrOngness."
Iris looked at aim in astonish-
ment. Then she sighed. He was like
the Lannings Uncle William philos-
ophized like that over things and
did nothing about them.
las for Aunt Josephine he con
tinued. you know who she is. We
live in New York. She made big
fortune in stocks. with the help OF
one of her clients: she took II out
in time and still mas It. which Is
queerer yet. She Is trying to buy
Long Island estate OF extr eme gran
deur at a great bargain"
atDoun you like GRANDEUR? His
voice mad been dry.
SWELL. its not primary with ME.
Phina has a private fury driving
her. l.. think sometimes - being a
Lanning."
"DUT you! Tell me about you'll"
- She shook his arm affection
ately: and he looked down at her
with that grateful surprise at az
lection in his face "hich she knew
so we'll in her uncle. but which, from
young, prosperous Owen m d
strange.
you really carer"
"Of course. IL. think I'm very
fond of you. Owen. It's been being
saved up, you know. all these years.
D'you mind?"
"Mind?" He put his arm around
her and kissed her. still shyly.
There. Now we're relations. Now
tell me what you do for living and
everything Is there a grip"
Yes" He paused after that: then
went on again. Il hate telling you
what do: darn 1t. hate doing 1t,
I've always wanted to be an archi-
tect am. theoretically put myself
through school at night"
why wasn't there money for day
timer"
"Leavings and lashings Money
But NOT time. I'm" he flushed a
shamed red. II design for Pima. All
day long. Darn well!"
Il should think you did! But why.
If you don't want TOP
"Nobody'd want 10 be male man
tua-maker. but it's simply a ques
ton of decency. DO you know what
Phina did for me? Supported me.
sewing. after Mother died. just one
woman alone. Borrowed money.
heavens knows how. and bought
into an establishment in New York
drove to the top. like an Alger
book. Put me through an expensive
prep: she'd have put me through
college. only wouldn't take it."
81 found when was around
seventeen that | could help her out
with designing" He flushed again
at the idea. Heaven knows why l
can do 1t. when most Of me hates
it. Sigrid wants me out OF 1t as
much as | want to get out: but. as
Phina says. it would be dishonor-
able-ungrateful-not playing the
game"
"Oh. you sound more like Uncle
Nilll than is canny or possible,
Then She pricked her ears at the
possibility Of love-story. who is
Sigrid7Iffi
He turned to her. warm. excited.
His SLOW voice quickened.
/ I"Shs's the most beautiful person
you ever saw. She's a sort Of pocket
Brunhild: when she came to us first.
at sixteen. she had hair like vel
low cloak-and her eyes are the
most beautiful things. like blue
stars. like sky" He showed himself.
up. and talked more coolly. "She'k
only my age. and she has share in
the firm. She began by modelling
Her parents were very plain people.
Swedish immigrants. She's wonder.
full. Wait till you see her."
Are you engaged?"
Il am. She won't. Pima isn't keen
on ii either, OF coUrse-women don't
like to see their only nephews
marry. l suppose. The worst of 1t
is. Sigrid would II I'd take her
money, and go over to France for
course In the Beaux Arts and then
come back here and set up for my.
self"
f(o,lr'cl', 1885. Margaret RiIlsmsrl
Iris learns the truth about her
70 tomorrow.