The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-09-05

last three years.
She dismissed Blake to say:
what are we going to do when
we finish eating?"
GO back to the house, guess, and
have a round of bridge. ANY objec-
| tions?"
"None at ALL" ''''
She drove. to Ben's house with
Alice and Tom and Blake Thornton.
Alice had evidently counted on rid
ing with Blake, but he helped Carol
into the back seat as a matter of
course, and Carol smiled in the dark.
ness.
When the car was moving he said
casually: "Tell me some more about
this job you're looking for"
She held her breath, and tried to
sound equally casual. 81 can't. until
l find it. I'll probably end up-if l
land at all-selling hardware in
basement"
They were silent for a time, and
then Thornton said curiously: why
Atlanta, Miss Torrance" and there
was an overtone of WEAKNESS in his
voice.
The question jerked her back. Evil
IDENTIFY his mind had been following
the path of their talk. which was.
perhaps, an encouraging sign.
"I'm-not quite sure" She laughed
parenthetically. 81 wish you would
not call we Miss Torrance. Nobody
does. except pupils and faculty"
Thanks; / won't"
She went back to his question:
why not Atlanta? What would you
suggest-Ashboro or Merejith?"
"Oh, mol But cities are so diaboli.
cally feverish. When retire funny
how we all cherish the illusion of
being rich enough some day to re-
tire. isn't it?) I'm going to live on
farm and raise chickens and vege-
tables"
"Who Wouldn't" She said it wist.
fully. "But you'd have to own the
farm. You wouldn't go and hire your
self out as farm hand"
They played Indifferent bridge for
over an hour. until Tom said:
ooh. heck. let's play black jack.
Ten cent limit"
The black jack game broke up at
midnight. and Ben and Blake Thorn
ton drove Carol and Janet home At
Mrs. O'Connor's Blake held out his
hand.
Good luck. Carol" He hesitated.
then added carelessly: "If you come
to town. give me ring. might have
an idea between now and then"
She gave him her hand. Thanks
l may do it. Ben. it was grand par
ty. Night, Janet. -"
MAY. and a presage of real sum-
4'A mer. The final lap of school
seemed intermiLable to Carol Ex.
aminations occupied the last week.
and substituted grinding desk work
for the uphill battle of injecting
knowledge. The brighter students
were exempt and thus the load was
lightened. but reports filled in the
crevices Of leisure.
Mr.. Hudson spoke to Carol about
returning. and the triumph In his
eyes was for his own vindication as
well as hers.
'The Board have asked me to tell
you. Miss Torrance. that they hope
you'll re-apply."
She smiled at him. "I'm awfully
glad-for your sake more than for
my own. | hated having you tarred
with the same brush"
"Oh. pshaw :" he waved the trib-
ute CALAMITY aside. Then you will
do it?"
"I'm afraid not. We wouldn't be
as lucky next time. and there'd be
sure to be next time. I've got posi-
tive genius for opening my mouth
and putting my foot in 1t"
He argued it with her. but in the
end he had to give in.
"Pm sorry. The hope of education
is in young women like you"
"I'm sorry too. But I'm just selfish
enough to have an eye on my own
future"
Ellen too had declined to commit
herself at present "I'm not quite
sure yet" she confessed to Carol.
"but l think I've got other plans for
next year."
Carol smiled affectionately. at
wouldn't take Philo Vance to guess
what they are. would it?"
Ellen's answering smile was glow.
Ing and self-conscious. Maybe not
But l haven't quite made up my
mind. ="
Carol snorted disdainfully. "Oh.
no? Well, the best of everything to
you. darling. and l know you'll have
it."
What wouldn't give. she thought
desperately. for a destiny like that?
Or for the temperament to fulfill it?
Ellen would take ASHORE to her
heart because it held Mack Hudgins.
And the turbid. tumultuous river of
existence would rush past. while FL
len and her family lived serene and
reasonably secure upon the higher
bank.
Copyright, 1886, BY Marian Sints1