The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-05-13
Chapter Al
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MYSTERY'S END

"COOD Lordi" said Allan, jump.
~ ing out of his wicker chair. He
stared at Morgan's tall serge-clad
figure, broad shouldered, loose joint
ed, lounging behind the older man.
Good afternoon, Allan" said Nor.
gan placidly. How is Granny"
$50 that's the answer" Allan said
with his little amused laugh. 1t
sounded harmless enough except for
the amazing fact that Morgan and
Allan knew each other. But Nor.
gan's face was at it's blacklist.
"How dare you go on misjudging
Iris?" Then he got hold of his tenn
per with an effort and spoke grave
ly. AFTER all, suspicious family
trait. We'd neither of us got hard
ened to honesty"
Allan still looked blankly shocked
and a little pale; but he snatched
with fair success at his usual man,
ner.
Behold" said he, "the long-lost
neir. My Lord, Jim, | may have
fallen below the romantic ideal, but
at least l never let an old woman
break her heart because l pretended
to be drowned"
Granny knows I'm alive" Nor.
gan said. "She has ever since the
night you went back on Iris"
Iris stood struck, gaping and ST
lent. She held to the wicker table
to steady herself. Jim Morgan
her Morgan was the dead grandson
Jim she had heard of from Camilla
and Allan and everyone. What a fool
she'd been, not to put two and two
together, not to see.
Il wrote Granny l was going
round the world, going to stay away
couple of years; it's no more than
you've done half dozen times"
"Ard then you were found in the
Hudson, all nice and dead. complete
with identification"
And Morgan, explaining GROSSLY,
Il gave poor devil some clothes
and cash-left things in the pockets,
never was a neat little boy like you. -
And Allan: Don't apologize. You
wanted to be loved for yourself
alone. hope you keep your illusions
this time!"
And then Uncle Will. forgotten in
the background, quieting the two
men on the edge of new quarrel.
There was moment OF potter con-
versation, and then Allan, poised
and amiable, made his polite depar-
ture. lie got hold of himself-he
made gallant exit. I'm glad you're
alive. old boy-you know that" he
said as he went.
II do know it, AL" Morgan said,
and the two shook hands.
"Granny's waiting inside there"
Allan added over his shoulder as he
passed out of the garden. "Tell her
her surprise party was wonderful
success, and that I'm going back to
New York. You'll find her in the Iiv-
ing room, probably with a fatted calf
in her handbag"
DUT Granny was outside. She had
~ stepped out of the French win
dow, Aunt Ella behind her.
Il was getting a little impatient,
Jims" she said. "I'm sorry not TO
have said more to you the night of
the concert, Iris, but-for a consid-
eration--I gave Jim my word" She
beckoned Iris closer, and Iris ran
into her arms and kissed her. I'm
getting what wanted, you're marry
ing my grandson" she said. 1--WE
needed sound stock in the strain.
You're good child, Iris"
Iris chung to her a moment. Then
she said, a little shyly, "And-and
Aunt Phina?"
You're a loyal little soul. Well,
she's ridden into glory Cor what's
glory for herr on your skirts. No
body's going to stop her, and she'll
have enough trouble" said Granny
dryly, getting into the ultimate So
cial Holy of Holes to keep her
amused for some years yet. People
like her aren't happy unless they're
storming redoubts."
"She is a wonderful woman,
Phina." said Uncle Will gently.
you are wonderful people, you
Lannings." said Granny. smiling,
yet as if she meant it too. well, Mr..
James Morgan Jameson, know you
have a good deal to discuss with
Iris, and as I'm staying the night I'll
see you children again."
The sunset was like a doorway
opening into Paradise. But Iris, slim
and ivory-colored and flashing-eyed
III her rosy ruffled dress, turned on
Morgan jameson, angry with him as
she had never been in her life. 81
suppose you've been having a won.