The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-10-29
Chapter Five
Bridget's Mistake

bridget had been with the
ID Staffords for Is years, starting
as kitchen-maid. She had been a
very good kitchen-maid, too, and
had had every idea of working her
self up to replacing Margaret, the
cook, who was old and rheumatic,
until Honey had seen her on one of
her days off, in a dark dress, and
decided she would make marvel
lous-looking waitress with her
shining red hair, and the black
MORE uniform and all.
So Bridget's career in the kitch-
en- had been abandoned, and she
had made a marvellous-look
waitress. OF course, in Is years q
few gray strands had erept in with
the red, but she still had quite
presence.
This morning, for a second, when
she first came in, the color of her
hair made Nina remember David
Day; then she noticed that the
maids expression was unusually
severe.
Good morning, Bridget" How
to begin? "Er, you knew that
mother got in late last night?"
Eyes, Miss Nina" Bridgefs
mouth was a thin, hard line. I've
been upstairs, already yet. | snuk
in TO lower your mothers window
and turn on the heat, meself, be-
cause that Marie person says as
how she's sick with the cramps,
this morning" Nina began to howl
with laughter. Il don't like those
goings-on, Miss Nina, and I'm here
by giving notice"
ooh, Bridget, how funnyl" she
gasped. Darling old Bridget, she's
married to himl Get down off your
horse"
We'll, glory be to Godl"
Z didn't dream you had such an
evil mind, my friend"
Well, the Lord save usl Mar
Day before yesterday, in Chi
cago."
The day before yesterday"
''Yes, Bridget. It's very nice.
He's very nice, and what's more.
you've got to be very nice about
the whole thing, do you hear me?"
Married. The day before
yesterday and do we know
him?''
We'll, | do, now. We sat up till
after FIVE. His name is Challoner,
and he's a grand person. I'm very
happy about it" She said it stout
~, Very happy. Now you run
along and tell Margaret. I'll let you
have the fun, yourself. And rouse
Marie, cramps or no, and see If you
all can't think of something nice to
surprise the bride"
Bridget went out. looking impor-
tant.
Richard Wins Bridget
THE sun, rather strong and
4 healthy for October, shone
through the southern windows
onto Nina's fair hair. In the morn
ings she never bothered to brush
the little individual eurls over her
finger, but combed ii and combed |
Il, vigorously, until it stood out |
like halo of spun sugar. Her
brown eyes-her fathers brown
eyes-looked more arresting than
ever, with her blondeness, when |
she wore il this way. Honey used |
to say: It's all right, darling. you'll |
make success of marriage. You |
look too beautiful in the morningi"
Today, her pajamas were of soft |
green velvet, and she had a |
sprlngy look to her. like q slender
daifodil with her yellow top.
She was finishing her second cup /
Of coffee. and was pulling, de- /
liciously, on her first cigarette, |
when her stepfather appeared in |
the doorway.
He looked nice IN the mornings. |
too, apparently -. well-groomed |
and refreshed. The beautifully |
tailored suit was brown, this time. |
Good morning. Er ). do ! just |
come in9"
of course. Good morning. Rich. |
ard, how are your Sit down.
The chair az the head Of the ta- /
bic was empty, but he took q seat |
at the side. a bit of tact and nice /
feeling that Nina appreciated.
What 70 say nextg You couldn't /
ask, Did you sleep well?" of a
groom
But the waitress came In then. |
and Nina said: "Oh, Richard, this /
Is Bridget. who has looked after /
us for Is years. She's practically a
member Of the family Bridget /
this IS Mr.. Challoner.a
Richard rose. courteouSiy, and 1
held out q hand.
I'm very glad to know YOU. I /