The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-11-13
Chapter Is
Nina's Wedding

Ahla . W CUAAAS
y ling"
But David stood still.
"You can't do this thing, of
course, Nina" Richard came up to
them, and his eyes were as cold
and bright as pieces of steel.
Richard u. please. This is my
life. I'm sorry you heard us just
now, because I can see that you
would feel that you ought to in
terfere u. but l know what I'm
Going, truly"
His eyes were so terrible that
she couldn't look into them; they
were so - compelling that she
didn't care.
That's Just it, Nina you
don't know what you're doing"
And he Said, in way that must
surely bare their secret: "You
knot0 you don't, my dear"
David came forward.
Il don't think you understand,
Mr.. Challoner. You couldn't, of
course. | wouldn't want to force
Nina to marry me this way, any
more than you would want to have
me-"
If Nina felt anything beyond a
terrible, terrible yearning to turn
back she felt proud of him.
"Then don't do it, Day. That's
simple enough if you're sim
cere."
But, she does. -"
''Rotl"
The word shot out like the crack
of a pistol in the silent house.
The younger~man stiffened.
It came again: Rot! +. Go up
stairs, Nina My God, you must be
out Of your mind. And look
here, Day, you're trying to put
on a fine, upright front :. but l
scarcely need remind you that
your actions are decidedly . >. +.
shady"
A slow flush mounted to David's
forehead. Nina could see the little
muscle in the side of his cheek
working furiouSly.
Richard went on. He was speak
ing very softly. IF you're in love
with this girl, why haven't you
come out in the open like decent
self-respeeting /"
Richard, you're saying horrible
things. Stop please" Nina laid
a hand on his arm, though it cost
her an effort. David has been open
with me, from the first moment.
This running away was my
idea. I'm only explaining this to
you because l think your-rude-
ness, is due to alarm"
David relaxed a little.
He smiled and said, in an effort
to tighten things up a bit: after
all MIR. Challoner, when you and
Mrs. Challoner discovered you
loved each other, you didn't seem
TO be able to think up any reason
why you should wait :. not even
to tell Nina. /. After all, aDe love
each other too and I'm no." he
laughed, "no leper.
Richard cut in.
"Oh, don't trouble TO give a de-
scription of yourself, Day. Since
your-er, clandestine meetings, /
have made rather a point of look
ing you up. And at the risk of be-
ing called rude again by my step
daughter I'm going TO add, that
my familiarity with your ). shall
we say, background? g. is my
chief objection to you. Have I
made myself clear?"
Nina stood by quite helpless.
What seemed like a million con-
flicting emotions were tearing her
apart.
She was ashamed of Richard
for the tone he was taking. but
she thought that if he had let her
walk out without a word it would
have surely broken her heart.
David Strikes Back
DUT now David had had enough.
- Il have no desire to insult you,
Mr.. Challoner or no, take
that back. have a strong desire
20 but I'm restraining myself.
And what's more, I'm not going
20 stand mere ana let you Insult
me any more. II there have been
certain things that | have missed
In my life they have not been
the most important things. And
after this little interview I'm in
cllned to think there are certain
attributes that 60 along with your
kind Of breeding that I'm thank
full / haven't got As for your
concern for Nina, l assure you that
my greatest wish in life is TO make
her happy; and I'm pretty sure |
can !. or / wouldn't take on the
responsibility"
"Hear! Heart" said Richard; and
Il was a sheer.
4 think David's behaving splen-
didly," said Nina, hotly, and
think you're behaving like a
like a Oh. Richard, don't let S
part in this horrid way"
Don't let's -. part, Nina"
and all his anger and sarcasm de-
serted him.