The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-12-05

"
word: Sharpshooter. His biogra-
pher chronicled a long list of mis-
haps: in the riding hall. at pa
rade; femme trouble. The closing
line arrested my attention:
"Chief claim to distinction: the
man who tried to spoil Swede's
beauty"
Hearing Elizabeth's step on the
porch. / replaced the HolDitzer
and chose. Little Women at ran
dom from the shelves. Then stood
for a moment unnoticed in the
library doorway, thinking that
Elizabeth looked drawn and tired.
and realizing for the first time
that the evening might prove an
ordeal for her too.
She placed her car keys on a
card tray that stood on the hall
table, turned and saw me. Her
usual gentle smile crossed her face.
'Oh. there you are We can rest
for an hour before we need to
dress. Dinner will be at seven
thirty. but told Anne we'd drive
over early. Is that all right with
your"
why, certainly" | said, but
was a little puzzled. had expected
Charlie to come for me. Would
never get word with him alone?
you. For Instance
| 7 CONTINUED to ask myself that
l question with growing resent
ment; for Charlie, tight Tipped and
evidently stricken, escaped as
soon as we rose from the dinner
table, with the muttered excuse of
an errand at the troop. No one be-
lieved him; but, Adam tried his
best to keep me from noticing that
he did not return.
We rode over to the hop to-
gether, danced haltingly once
around the floor-Adam's danc-
ing is not all it might be-and re-
tired to the club veracGa.
Even here the Feat was sitting.
The hot black folds of the man.
DARN coat enveloped me like a
blanket. Why didn't take it off?
! don't know, except that Eliza
beth'S views were rather over
towering. From the dusk beside
me Adam spoke diffidently.
IF you don't mind being alone
for few minutes could see if
Charlie needs anything. I'm afraid
the champagne
ut isn't the champagne, and you
know it." I said YEARLY. "He's
just sulking over Anne's engage
ment. Let him alone"
Adam can be trusted to say
nothing when there is nothing to
say.
mot that ! mind being left" l
added tardily. Men are scarce
tonight. You go in and dance"
mot on your life. I've done my
duty often enough on this post
Tonight l have a good excuse
I'm a casualty"
''How do you feel. honestly?"
TOO good to risk a change Of
scenery. !. :. All right then, honest
ly, Doc Moore couldn't find any
thing wrong with me-"
did he take an X-ray?"
Persistent. aren't youf" He
sounded amused. eyes, he took an
x-ray, but it hadn't been devel-
oped. So you see, I'd better be very
quiet until All is Known"
Are you sure you wouldn't
rather go back to quarters where
you can be comfortable?"
He was silent for minute.
Feeling humble tonight?".
''You might call it that"
You'll find it won't last long.
Why don't you take notes on the
symptoms? Writers are supposed
to capitalize on everything. ] sup
pose you carry a notebook in that
little jeweled affair. Go ahead.
don't mind me-"
Adams teasing is gentle. but he
gets things across.
Il don't take notes. It's more fun
just to sit and watch people and
imagine things about them. I've
made up long stories that way--in
restaurant. on the ell. I expect ]
embarraSs people"
He chuckled. mot half as much
as | do. I'm no good at imagining
~ have to know"
He hesitated. went on smoothly.
There's you. for instance. All
during your last visit you were so
busy matchmaking for Elizabeth
and me-" he chuckled, "that all ]
learned about you is that you live
In Chicago with a kid sister who
studies music, and that you write
for a living"
Anne and Barney skipped out of
the club hand in hand, singing
Justify. For two or three bars
Barney's rich baritone almost
drowned Anne's thin, high mono
tone: then he leaped to silly fall
Setto as he swung her about in the
path of light from the door. and
stepped back. hand Shaping, while
she executed surprisingly capa-
bic tap dance.
They were dressed alike in
white Stacks and white cotton jer-
Seys in a manner to emphasize
the contrast between them. ]
thought they were both rather
pleased with the idea that they
were perfect foils for each other,
but wondered how they would
like sharing the limelight.
To the breast and back Of each
white jersey, in the appropriate
anatomical position, had been ap-
pliqued a crimson heart nierced
BY an arrow. II had been Barney's
idea to let the costumes speak for
themselves. No other announce
ment had been necessary.
(copyrioAt, 1855, Ttrctnta Housosl