The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-01-04

and permanent In the world. There
was an atmosphere of decadence
and defeat here that ruined tradi.
ton. She felt she had to get away.
II can't do anything about it?''
she repeated. 81 can do a great deal
and | will" Her voice softened.
Snap out of It before you're licked.
Take 1t easy for a while"
She stood up, drawing on her driv.
ing gloves.
where the devil are you going?"
her father asked. staring.
Back to Washington. Another
shuttle trip. Nell may be played for
a sucker by every art dealer east OF
the Mississippi and fiirt with half
the stuffed shirts of Christendom,
but George Fox is due on leave soon
and | want to be there. He reminds
me of things. l just wanted to say
hello to you on my birthday"
She drew her coat about her and
turned toward the door.
ITO Eleanor Vests for cocktails!"
she proclaimed. THE war cry OF
half of Washington every afternoon
at half-past four"
With a jaunty wave Of her hand
she took her leave. A moment later
her car roared back down the drive.
Happy Birthday!
Rayburne West fingered the
brandy decanter and felt irritated
with her partly because he was los
ing her to Nell and partly because
he had never been able to tone down
her speed. [-NgsS>
He had always been little afraid
of his daughter. She. had a strange
capacity Tor, anger and action that
gave him gpause~rmade him think.
And tbemoreshe theaght of her. the
more artiffetaI and faded Tala ap-
peared. and the older he felt
Old Age! He stumbled over to the
mirror and stared at his reflection.
Licked! He suddenly felt sick of
this place.
Change of scene. that was 1t.
Change of scene. Go up to New York
and stay at ole Of his clubs for a
while until he felt better. He mustn't
get old-anything but that.
Before he went to bed he left word
to have arrangements made to have
his private car "Debutante ii" picked
I'D by the "Old Dominion" crack
train northbound for Washington
and New York.
THE town of Carteret was more
1 than just distance removed from
revolution and jungle. gunrunners,
merciless sun and yellow river. 1t
was on another plane of existence
entirely and the engineer didn't live
who could build the Bridge of Transi.
ton.
Nesting In the heart of a blue
grass region of hunt clubs. racing
stables. and fine old Colonial estates.
it seemed forever pervaded with the
caress Of Virginia sky and old gar.
dens redolent OF lilac, mimosa. and
ancient rose.
And on days of the Virginia Hunt
or Apple Blossom carnival the
sleepy old town became a sports
mans Mecca. Fashionable society
flowed through the wide tree-shaded
streets in shining motors. gay tally
hos. and brightly bedecked wagons.
Another world?-yea. verify. A
world of silken racing colors. vel
vety-nosed thoroughbreds. men and
women riding to hounds. fast little
ponies chasing a polo ball on wide
level greensward.
The tradition Of the town was
symholized by bronze statue of a
Revolutionary patriot in the historic
square. 1t perpetuated the memory
of tall young officer who had on
that spot recruited one Of the first
companies OF Virginia volunteers.
The officers name was Captain
Rodes Willett. should anybody have
been interested For example. Terry
Willett in town to bring his father
back to the beginning of the trail
didn't give hang for all the statues
on the face of the earth.
The kindly and patriarchal Car.
teret divine was interested by the
paradox Of an unsmiling young man
who asked nothing. yet. as sure as
the world was made. wanted some
thing that he probably could not
have defined himself.
So interested. in fact, that as the
young man started down the walk
from the white church he FASTENED
after him and laid a hand on his
shoulder.
What are you going to do now.
my SOM"
Il don't know, Sir. Join the
navy" he grinned briefly. "and see
the world maybe"
"Hav, you no ideas in mind? Your
career"
IN carry on" said Willett. A
warm soft breeze blew across his
face as he stood bareheaded by the
entrance to the churchyard. cts q
sinking life. but I'll carry on"
The old minister thoughtfully
rubbed his pince-nez with handker.
chief. his faded blue eyes blinking
in the afternoon sun.
Copyright. 1885 By David Garthj
Terry does a little unexpeesed
intrudino, Monday.