The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-12-08
Chapter 80
In Richards Renalllt

NINA woke up with the feeling
IN that it was her birthday, or
Christmas, or something wonder
full.
She felt a little the way Hester
must have, on the evening OF that
eventful HUNT ball: that she had
been wandering round ID mist,
trying to find her way, crying to
make the best of it =. but that,
now, suddenly, everything was
clear. Sunshine was burning
through the murkiness, and she
knew where she wanted to 60.
Nina stretched deliciously, with
out opening her eyes. She felt
alive and young, and excited, and
calm, all at the same time And
presently-when her stretching
limbs encountered no obstacle
she knew that she was alone. IS
A quick peek affirmed it. David
had gone. ~
It didn't trouble her that he was
still angry enough to have left
without a word. It Simplified
everything.
She relaxed and shut her eyes
again, and thought of Richard, and
Richard, and nothing else.
She went over everything he
had said the night before; God!
How I've waited for thisl" I've
been half mad with wanting you
and 'I'm back, lovely. I'll
make YOU happy :" OF course,
he would
She pondered on the queer,
deadening effect of heat and dish
washing, and poverty that had ac-
tually made her think she had got
over him.
She wished that last night could
happen all over again, when she
wasn't quite so hysterical, so that
she could appreciate, to the full,
the wonder of his return still
loving her, still wanting her, to
the exclusion of everything else.
And, although Nina didn't dwell
on the practical side of things, she
couldn't help realizing how well
the details were working out: they
had to give up the apartment, any
way; and Oracle would be just
around the corner, waiting to COM
fort David, TO assure him that Nina
had never been the right girl for
him . to cook and clean and be
merry about it, and, some day,
make him a marvellous wife, her
self.
When Nina came to the thought
of Honey. she could think of no
justification for what she was
planning to do, but just then the
telephone rang, and it was Rich
ard. All thoughts of her mother
were driven from Nina's mind.
A Date For Tea
FOOD morning angel"
~ Oh, how had she ever liued
without the sound of his voicel
What was he wearing his
black dressing gown with the sill
yer dragons? Or had lle-oh, sure
ly, he must have bought himself
some new, marvellous things at
Charvet. in Paris.
Richard was talking in a low
voice probably from the tele-
phone closet In the hall well,
soon now, all that would be over.
There would be nothing to hide.
Everyone would know.
He was SAYING: 81 got a Renault,
abroad. It'll be off the boat by noon
80. Wen motor out Of town this
afternoon for tea. / shan't be here,
this morning, when you come,
darling pick you up about $3.50
at your place ~ ~
1Yes $3.50. then"
They said goodby, directly after
that. He couldn't talk, evidently;
but Nina dressed for the ordeal oil
her visit to Honey. with her heart
humping wildly. She sang little
snatches OF songs, and raced But
ton around the block, so that he
came in painting, and regarded
Nina, from the GOODNESS Of the tiled
floor in the bathroom, with sur
prised and loving eyes.
II had been nearly five months
since Nina had been to the house
on 74th street.
She hadn't thought OF anything
except how happy she was, on the
way over; but now, as she stood on
the familiar Stoop, as Bridget vel.
coined her-red and freckled from
her summer vacation ~ as she
heard Honey'S voice calling from
above, Nina had sinking feeling
in her insides at the thought of the
bomb she was going to fling into
this tranquil house.
1t grew worse as she entered hel
mothers room and saw her. IN {
sea OF tissue paper, surrounded By
new finery !. laughing :. hold,
ing out her arms
Nina -, Babui@
Nina's "Honey!" was almost