The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-01-23
VOLUME lQ)it.a1 fo7 Saee4
N ~
BY BAILEY WOLFE

which had grown so thin and blue
veined during her illness.
Hush. now. Papa's going to give
thanks"
Silence fell, and all heads were
bowed Even the baby. sitting on
Sally's lap, ducked its head obedient-
ly, in imitation Of the others. AS the
fathers voice rose and fell. thanking
God for the blessings bestowed on
his family. Sally felt the tears rise
behind her closed eyelds. Big Jim
Mcdonald gave thanks for justice that
had freed him from the accusation
Of crime, for mercy that had brought
May through her perilous illness. for
food and shelter and enough to wear,
for good friends. and job to work at.
The baby put a chubby hand on
Sally's cheek. and looked up at her
wonderingly. Mcdonald had finished
now. and all heads were raised. The
children waited breathlessly for the
feast spread out before them. With
new-found peace, Sally looked
around her at this little group Of peo-
pie whose sorrows she had shared,
and whose Joys now were hers. too.
Suddenly joyful yell from young
Joe startled them.
Look It's Mr.. Philip-NIr. Philips
come-hurray!"
Sally turned with the others and
saw Philip Page standing in the door,
way. hat in hand. Somehow, she was
not surprised. II was as If she had
known he would come. He belonged
with them. too.
Riding Home With Philip
IT was wonderful party. everyone
agreed The children had been ale
lowed to stuff themselves. for once,
with all the goodies they wanted.
Afterwards they had gone into the
yard to play. taking a whole box Of
candy to share with the neighbors'
children who had gathered outside to
listen to the festivities. Even the eld-
est little girl was free to play. for
Sally had insisted on keeping the
baby and had finally got him to sleep.
Philip and Jim Mcdonald smoked
their pipes on the front steps and
talked of the changes that would soon
come to Midtown. Of the paint that
0uld brighten the houses, of the
r. IS that would be mended, and Of
the whole new water system.
Lola and Sally sat close to May,
whose chair had been brought to the
porch SO that she could enjoy the cool
breeze that had come with early dusk.
The sleeping baby still lay in Sally's
arms. Holding it so seemed part Of
her new content and she was loath to
put it down.
When Bob Dawes came to take the
two girls home. they were all sur
prised at how late it was. First Lola
and Sally got May to bed. although
she protested he was not tired Then
the baby was tucked in. At last they
said goodby to the children, who gath
cred around their father and escorted
the visitors to the car.
you've been mighty good friends
in time Of trouble" said Mcdonald,
"and we won't forget it. I'm looking
forward to working for Mr.. Morris
again. A man don't mind working his
best when he knows he's doing it
for man that plays square"
"All right. pile in. you girls" said
Bob Dawes to Sally and Lola. "Tve
got to drive all the way home tonight"
III take Sally home" said Philip.
There are some things I'd like to
talk over with her, and I'm going her
way" He turned to Sally and spoke
directly to her for the first time since
he had come. as that all right with
you. Sally?"
"Of course" said Sally. 1t seemed
the last perfect touch to this magic
evening-to ride home in the dusk.
alone with Philip. Surely they could
not quarrel tonight.
She climbed into the little roadster
beside Philip and they drove off in
the wake of Bob's big car. At the
street where their ways parted. they
said goodby to Bob. and took the
familiar way to Rosemary street. 1t
seemed to Sally that Philip drove
faster than usual She was in no
hurry to get home, and they had said
nothing to each other yet.
"Tired?" asked Philip. breaking the
silence.
Sally shook her head. II was the
old Philip speaking, now--the Philip
who had comforted her once, who
had been her friend. who had taught
her the value of work. and the need
of fighting for justice.
All too quickly they reached Sally's
door. but Philip did not stop there.
He swerved to the right and brought
the car into the driveway of his own
home. He did not speak again till
they had stopped.
Il want to talk things over" he
said. Il thought perhaps you wouldn't
mind coming here, and we could sit
in the garden. Is it all right"
Its all right" said Sally. The
words sounded stupid and common
place. She stumbled getting out Of
the car and Philip took her hand to
steady her.