The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-01-05

the daughter, slim and graceful a
a young pine tree, called and dis.
played with pride q bracelet and
ring, each set with rubies. Blush.
ingly, she told that an admirer hac
given them to her. At a glanct
Media saw that they were only
cheap costume jewelry.
After Maria's visit Mrs. Moresl
called at the Barries. Only Nelds
and her mother were az home.
@What you fink bout Maria'l
jew'lry?" the Italian woman asked
In an odd manner.
Every nice" Media reptile d
aware that Mrs. Moresi's black
eyes were trying to probe into hel
mind.
81 fink that man Is a no good
bum" the woman brought out an
grily.
IT was as Il she'd said a man like
that wasn't capable Of giving good
presents, and Media knew she
hadn't heard the last Of the sub
ject.
A very different visitor wa,
Mrs. Reckless. Media sensed there
was something more than neigh
borliness behind the call because
the day was stormy. Mrs. Reckless
was sitting up very straight In her
handsome dark blue sedan which
was driven by a plain, little wo-
man whom she introduced as Miss
Blaine. her secretary, and adj
dressed merely as Blaine.
As Media uShered the woman
into the warmth of the dining
room her thoughts darted ahead.
She'd ask Uncle Ham to make q
fire in the living room and she'd
serve tea in there. What would the
pantry yield that she could serve
with tea? Thank heaven for the
lovely old set that had come
around the Horn. That ought 10
make Mrs. Reckless eyes pop out.
Then there was the mahogany tea
cart and the dainty doilies from
the San Francisco home. She could
serve thin slices of bread and but
ter with some Of that delicious
orange marmalade Leila had made.
If you couldn't say anything else
for Leila you had to admit she was
good cook. II she were only hare
now she'd make up some Of those
tiny haky biscuits for which she
was famous. But she was down at
the new house consulting with the
contractor.
Strange Behavior
NY MOTHER-Mrs. Reckless, y
WI Media introduced and noted
the surprise that crossed Mira.
Reckless face at sight OF Mrs.
Barrie in the wheel chair. May ]
present my uncle's wife and my
uncle-Mr. and Mrs. Wright"
His BRIDE" Laura corrected
with a shipper and started q de-
tailed account Of their elopement.
Il saw Reck yesterday" Media
blurted out. hoping to divert Lau-
ra's story.
Mrs. Reckless raised her care
fully defined eyebrows.
You mean Earl?"
Media didn't know there was
anything SO finished and cold In
the world as the way Mrs. Reckless
snubbed her with those thres
words.
HE came to tell me about meet
ing some Of my friends at the
game" she rushed on.
Miss Blaine told me she saw his
car turning in here. Mrs. Reck-
less said.
BY this time Uncle Ham had q
fire roaring in the fireplace. and
Media invited her guests into the
living room. Mrs. Reckless accept
ed the invitation with q smile. but
there was something wrong with
that smile. It was Of the lips only.
Media found some cookies In the
pantry to serve along with the
bread and marmalade. The old tea
set looked quite impressive On the
tea wagon. The pot. made on clas-
sic lines. was cream-colored and
decorated with delicate pink roses.
II was when Media was wheel
ing the tea wagon toward Mrs.
Reckless that the woman frankly
divulged the real purpose OF her
visit
Il hope you are not taking Earl's
attentions seriously. Miss Barrie" "
she said and gave a laugh that held
a faint note of ridicule.
.iOf course notIn There was a
touch OF spirit in Medals tone.
Earl is 3 boy who never re-
mains interested in one girl for any
length of time" Mrs Reckless
smiled as il at her own thoughts.
Hes not ready to settle down yet
He's merely having q good time
with whatever girl catches his
fancy for the moment"
Media really didn't mean 20 do
IL. but she ran the tea cart over
Mrs. Reckless beautifully shcd
foot.
''Ouchl" that patrician-lookinr
woman said indignantly.
Afterward Laura said. Il bet she
had q corn"
But Media did not Join In the
laughter that followed Laura's
facetious remark. She was think
ing Of Earl Reckless and his moth
er's strange behavior.
fccpvvsaAs. 1857. Alice Merle Dc6esl
There are new deveiopmenks vita