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

A UNIT JOSEPHINE had watchful
1 \ black eyes and a face whose
hard bright outlines displayed just
enough makeup for the fashion.
Her dress was perfection. black
with a touch of red. and string OF
odd ugly beads. The style of her
clothes was so new Iris had never
seen anything like them
Everything about her was as per-
feet as the modelling of her hair
and gown. She came to Iris. putting
a firm possessive arm around her.
MY own dear little niece!" she
said. Her voice was certain and
controlled. like everything else
about her. Her manner had a dom
mating enthusiasm. Morgan. watch
ing her. and not liking her TOO much.
admitted to himself that she did
seem honestly glad to find Iris. Sit
down here. darling. and talk to me
Think of finding a sister like this,
Owen why she's lovely!"
81 always thought you hated US
and didn't want to have anything
to do with u.s." Owen said with a
bluntness Iris liked. Isl was aw
fully bucked about finding you did.
Didn't Nor n explaing' Iris
said little embarrassedlyie she hat.
ed to seem to blame her aunt and
uncle.
"Oh, yes" said Miss Ross. bitter
ly. tightening her arm around Iris
ELLA would She always mad the
romantic methods OF the oldfash
toned melOdrama. from the time she
snatched you out of the baby car
rage and walked back 10 Persia
with you. You poor child. never to
know you had a brother!"
well. do now" said Iris quiet
". smiling up at this kindly new
Owen. who yet seemed so we'll
known.
"And now you must let us make
you forget all the worry you've been
through" said Miss Ross caressing-
". Darling child. you're lovely. All
you need to be complete success
is a little expert attention from your
old auntie Stand up. darling. Owen.
look at her and tell me what you
think"
Iris knew the small signs of an
nOyance Owen didn' know he
showed. Uncle Wills own tiny knot
ting OF the brows before he smiled
In acquiescence and did as he was
told. being a gentleman who must
yield to his wOmen-fOIk. He said
matter offactly enough. She should
keep to a certain amount of the pc
riod note"
MORGAN. in the background like
INI a sentinel. moved a little as If
this dialogue told him something.
Miss Ross saw it. She nodded and
smiled.
81 thought you were of the great
world" she said to him graciously
You're right-Im Phina Weather.
ley"
Iris gasped. Phina Weatherley-
she might as well have said. in the
eighties. I'm Jean Worth" Phina
Weatherley. the famous couturiere,
one of the few American dressmak-
ers who really had a great name!
No wonder she was dressed so per
fectly.
"The change of name was what
made finding you so difficult" Nor
gan said gravely. You were hidden
In plain sight, like the children's
game" " + J
A little silence fell. Owen moved
restlessly: Miss Ross and Morgan
were quiet. Then Iris said. rWOn'l
you come TO our house for supper
We'd be glad to put you up. | know
Owen will like Uncle William lot
Aunt Ella is in a sort of daze since
Daddy died. but she would be glad
know"
THAT woman's house? Not YETI
Josephine Ross burst out. her
smooth dominant manner breaking
for the moment. Then she had her
self In hand.
why not. of course?" she said
"But I'm afraid. darling. I'D only be
bother. Take Owen over. he says
he insists on going. You might lei
Mr.. Black dine with me in ex
change"
So it was settled. The old resent
ments had flashed out for moment
too blackly for Iris to insist. Be
sides. though she admired her new
aunt. she did want to be alone with
her brother.
He called a taxi. as casually as Il
he lived in them. That small gesture
OF taxi-taking showed Iris what
different world he lived in To al
ford taxis any time: T"