The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-11-18
Chapter "a
Hours OF Torture

NEW Years Eve and the Mac.
4NDonalas arrived together.
Kathleen, standing at the win
dow, looking down at Donald Mac
Donald, thought she'd never seen
anyone as handsome.
The disturbing, quick smile, the
quickening light in his eyes. then
at her reckoning the sure, swift
stride that brought him up the
Gregory steps and through the
door before she could gather her
reserve about her.
Seems like we've been away a.
year." he greeted, lifting the band
aged hands. "How are they?
Mother had a letter from the doc
tor. He says you'll be strumming
the keys with them before spring
and no grating necessary"
Bridget came in before Kathleen
had time tc answer, and still hold
ing the bandaged hands. Donald
turned to her. Into your glad rags,
we're stepping out tonight. Hotel
for dinner. then on to a dance.
How about it Cleo. feel up to it?"
Fright now" answered Kath-
leen. Il could climb mountains
and do Suzy @ on the peak"
She felt that evening that she
had climbed mountains and the
air at the top was rarefied. leaving
her buoyaflt. carefree.
They returned before midnight
and Kathleen had the memory of
the first and last and many other
dances with Donald and his solicit
tude concerning her injured hands.
'You girls 60 on in" Donald
ordered.
They went in. A few moments
later the midnight chimes rang
out and on the last echo there was
a rap at the door, and in walked
Donald with an armload of wood
and bod of coal.
Another rap and Norman came
In with second load.
why the two?" inquired
Bridget.
Because" answered Donald,
Something tells me one of the two
OF you will be having q home of
your own before this year ends,
and we would bring you both good
fare"
Kathleen looked at Bridget and
was astonished at the radiance she
saw. Bridget was agreeing. She.
was looking at Donald as though,
already. there was some secret
understanding between them.
A pain. greater than the soaring
Of her hands scared her heart; q
sickening rauseating pain. She
slipped from the room and went
70 the verarida to look out on the
cold hills the painted cliffs
shrouded in snow. the white blaze
of stars.
She knew now with a sense Of
defeated finality that she was In
love with Donald Macdonald: q
love as hopeless as her quest for
the right-of-way. She couldn't
fight Bridget even If there were
hopes of an ultimate victory.
Donald found her there, He APP
preached. warily. and Kathleen.
turning. thought they were like
two fencers. each waiting for the
other to take the offensive so they
could gauge their defense ac-
cordingly.
~You shouldn't be here" he
ventured.
Il Need Some Advice
81 KNOW" she agreed with q
4 softness in her voice he'd never
heard before, shut | like TO come
out and see the bigness of things.
] wonder why people who live In
the open like this haven't broader.
more tolerant views"
"Balmy says horizons are In
dividual and not limited by physi-
cal outlook.
THAT settles It" laughed Kath-
leen. Il wouldn't attempt to argue
with him."
"wait here for me. rye some
thing ] want to ask you. I need
some advice"
He returned In q few moments
with blankets and rugs and they
settled on broad veranda sill.
You've changed q lot since
you've ceen here. Cleo"
"Changed?a
He sat beside her, his arm brac-
Ing her. II should say. developed.
AT first YOU went around with q
chip on your shoulder"
That's still there. but It's been
there so long It's worn q groove TO
az into and doesn't knock on as
easily"
Macdonald laughed "You would
explain Il that way" he chided.
shut | meant you've been too busy
helping others 90 think about the
chip"
81 don't deserve any credit Cor
that ! lust happened 20 be am
bling past Mrs. MacBride's when
she rushed out lookinR for some
one % stay with Laura