The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-11-24
Two ;, Company
By MARGARET CuIoN HEROIC Y y
MARGARET CuION HERZOC

"a
those things as you say over here.
We met and fell in love immedi-
ately. She was viSitin'. too. just out
of school, and the lovelieSt thing
that ever drew the breath of life. T"
He was absolutely unself-con-
sciouS. Il was going to take her
home with me -" 81 3sJiG
Nina took note of that Il was
going to -" and waited.
Lilith danced by with Tommy,
and waved; Hester. too. but she
didn't see them in their darkened
retreat.
Scarborough wood ended all
those ideas, of course"
Nina thought: What sort of a
girl would let him down at a time
like that?"
And. as though in answer. the
young man went on.
II must tell you." he said,
chuckling. shat I am a ballet
dancer now, compared to what /
was after four horses had piled up
on top of me :. and it has taken
10 years, and practically all my in
heritance. to bring me to this lively
state! No. No. It was | who
wouldn't have it. Sailed for home
as soon as possible"
Galway. you say?"
ayes. Masters, my former head
groom, looks after me very nicely
at Glymrock Castle. my home.
We're very cozy there. the two of
us" He Enthusiastically mer-
ry laugh. "He sleeps in the kitch-
en-. and the servants dining hall
IS my bed-sitting room the
other So are cloSed!'s
Nina thought: what an amaz-
ingly plucky fellowl"
She said: "You could teach lot
Of us a thing or two-about cour-
age, young man"
And when he only smiled: But
tell me. did you never try to get
in touch ;. / mean. now that
you're so much better? Do you
mind my asking? I'm so very in
terested." She wondered whether
he had come to America with the
hope of seeing her.
"Of course, / don't mind. / got
started on this. somehow |
sensed your friendliness suppose
No" he answered her question,
'you can see to lose track of
her completely was the only way
| could be sure of keeping my reSo-
luton. It would have been so easy
to send for her, in weak moment
and she would have been so
certain to come -"
You Didn't Recognize Me-
Tor the first time, a wistfulness,
L a hint of all he had suffered.
crept into his voice. It made Nina
realize that there were other trag-
edies in the world-greater ones.
perhaps. than her own.
Sick =. poor :. lonely :. and
yet how valiant. was this young
mani
"She went back to her home,
near Boston" he was saying. Oct
nold's wife died, and he moved
away =. / shouldn't have
come il / had thought there was
any danger Of meeting her. | only
wanted to relive it again, little
:. To carry back fresh memories
:. It was so long ago -"
Because they were being so
frank with each other, Nina said,
gently: II should think you were
infiicting unnecessary suffering on
yourself ="
But the Irishman shook his head.
Il don't look at it that way" he
answered. quietly.
They were silent.
The music had stopped for an
intermission. and still David did
not appear.
Nina could see Hester and her
partner across the floor. She spoke
few words. and left him. walking
slowly--with her peculiar. Ian
guild grace-toward the door of the
conservatory. She had seen them.
She came and stood in front of
their two chairs.
She smiled at Nina's companion
but the young man sat quietly,
giving no sign of recognition. She
held out her hand :. and still he
failed to respond.
Rlan
Instantly. he ierked to attention.
Hester /. Forgive me. I &.
Why. hello. Hester"
He CROPPED about for his cane,
and struggled to get to his feet.
So they were friends. evidently.
Hester said: "Rian my dear
:. +. to be seeing you againl :. No,
don't get up. I'll join you. if may"
She looked at Nina for the first
time. and gave a little laugh.
We're old friends. Nina very,
old friends. Mr.. McHugh and | :"
Nina gave up her chair and
pulled over another one.
You YOU didn't recognize
me, did you, Rian?"
ut wasn't that. Hester" He
laughed. shortly. 1T i. 4. well. you
see. the old vision =" He passed
a hand before his eyes. in an ex-
preSSlve gesture.
Blind
Blind. as well as all the restl So
that was why he had stared
straight in front of him That
was why he had failed to recognize
his friend =.
| Copyright, 1887. Marguret Heg<agI
Hester takes = courageous step that
anaxes her friends, t0morrew. r.