The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-01-13
chapter Is
NeIda's l.nesfs ArriYe

NeIda's Guests Arrive
IN ANOTHER moment Media
1 excused him. Reck knew moth
ing about helping around the
kitchen It was preposter01s 20
think of Earl Reckless IN the same
breath with mental tasks She
should have employed someone N
town to help her.
Candy came over from the new
house 10 borrow some sugar She
was atWitter with questions which
she said her mother told her 70
ask.
As the little girl was leaving
the sound of a motor, coming to-
ward the house, struck Nelda's
ears.
Good heavenslH she thought
wildly. That can't be the gangl"
It was Bill Langdon.
81 just dropped ifh to eongrat-
ulate you upon your lettuce crop.
He gave her the smile that SO
lighted his face.
Coming up fine, isn't it," Media
returned the smile happily.
Mine looks good, toe"
Won't you-come in p She felt
she must IN common politeness
give him this invitation, but she
was wishing he would 60 so she
could get 70 that mountain Of work
inside.
Thanks he said and alighted
with alacrity. Her heart took .
sickening drop. she simply could
not ST still and entertain this man
with all those tasks to be done.
Would you mind coming into
the kitehen-while ! work." she
asked. I'm expecting guests from
ne city, and I've got a million
things to dc"
Course not" he replied geni-
She placed a chair BY one OF the
deep-eut windows for him.
Haven't you anyone 70, help
your" he asked, his gaze wander
ing over the disorder of the room.
No. was counting on my uTl-
cle's wife, but she's sick. Besides
she gave a little. self-conscious
laugh-eI'm rather new at this
sort Of thing.f
Maybe - He heSifated ever
50 slightly and an embarrassed
flush stained his cheeks. I'll be
glad TO help IL / cam
Il couldn't let you, Bill" she
protested. but warmth flew into
her heart.
Why not?v He was taking of
his coat.
A moment later he was at the
sink cleaning the chickens she was
to use for tomorrow's lunch and
she was in the chair by the win
dow peeling carrots. She kept
thinking. Il can't invite him to the
party. He'd be an extra man.
The tasks saemed 70 decrease by
magic. Care dropped from Nelda's
shoulders. worry from her face.
She made a pretty picture fitting
about her tasks.
Tumult OF Emotion
DY ELEVEN o'clock everything
- was done except arranging the
flowers which were still in their
waxed paper on a small table in
the dining room. Media had COM
pletely forgotten they Bin took
them to the kitchen. Mrs. Barrie.
her delicate. carneo-like face trou-
bled. beckoned Media to her.
You'll have to invite him 70 the
party, he's been so nice, she whis-
pered 10 her daughter.
I feel like q heel not 10 ask him,
but / can't Media replied IN a
low tone, her dark eyes distressed.
How did you tell a man who
had been very kind to you that
you couldn't include him in your
party2p
Bring some vases, Media he
called briskly from the kitcheR.
She went slowly TO him. He was
&C the table, unwrapping the flow
ers - gorgeous pink roses, jon
uuils. sweet peas
I suppose these came FROM the
Reckless t50ta0uSFSE ne observed,
his lip curling a little.
Bill she began falteringly,
I'D love 70 ask you to my party.
but you see It's ny old crowd from
college
Yes I see He stiHened per-
ceptibly.
Oh. dear, she'd hurt his pride in
some way, she thought. Speaking
about her crowd from college as
II he wasn't good enough 70 min
Kle with them. Why ha0n'k she
chosen her words more carefully
She tried to make amends and
said the wrong thing.
They're not your kind. Bill :
he took a sharp step backward.
the bunch Of roses still IN his hand
An ardent y0ungnesS that bad
been in his eyes died. but some
thing famed IN his face that was
rather splendid.
mol he cried. They're not ny
kindl I'm only q dirt farmer. while
they're Like these He held I'D The
we@mM &fsmrx s4Metses4 khaVNs - FAa