The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-11-07

lDOOtHe WLtu'Me 40
over tea and "sly cake" which
~ Kathleen thought resembled a
Napoleon with raisin stuffing,
Donald's houseEeepeEtold how the
garden and chickens augmented
her husbands salary.
"A deed Donald has given to
each of u.s.. so should anything
happen to him. or the mine. or new
owners come in. we own this home
and could manage to live. All. the
poor Gregorys." Mrs. Arthur con-
cluded. and Kathleen knew she re-
ferred to the Gregory miners.
The rain which had threatened
to fall all day, had made good It's
threat when they were leaving.
Mrs. Arthur looked at the sky and
sighed deeply. "A green winter.
Donald. a green winter"
& Nonsense" laughed Donald.
This is only green fall; we'll
have snow"
"Ah. but Donald. Mrs Snipbell
saw blossom on her NTplel Aree.
three days back. heare her call
ing to Annie. That's death before
spring"
Donald laughed again. "Tm GO
Ing 10 send Balmy over to see you.
He'll take the woe out of that one:
tell you the Campbell apple tree
Is IN a warm corner and with the
rain the tree thinks it's spring.
He'll tell you that superstition
sprang from people growing care
less in warm weather and not lay
ing up for the cold"
AYE. Balniy has a reason for
every superstition. ] wish ! could
believe him."
Kathleen left Mrs. Arthur's
home in thoughtful mood. The
mood remained through the long
evening, through the delicious dim
ner on the menu which included
all the favorite Scottish dishes
from onion pudding to Rice Flour
cake.
Donald Macdonald In his own
home was yet another person.
charming. considerable. He spoke
OF his family. especially of his
widowed mother who summered
with him. then returned to Los
Angeles for the winter: and of his
cousin Norman who would be with
him before long.
Kathleen listened with one ear:
with the other she seemed atuned
to some VIBRATION IN that room.
a peculiar throbbing which had
an intoxicating quality. She was
shocked 70 learn that the throb-
bling was the quick beat of her.
heart. the altitude. unquestion-
ably: that and the air. The air in
these mountains was so clear and
light one felt buevant.
She admitted enjoying the COM
fort OF the lodge Later. huddled
before her own fire. she spoke OF
il.
Imagine. that fire kept going
without me. And that couch.
Bridget there were moments when
] wanted &c sink clear out of sight
and spend the night on 1t"
Her bed was as uncompromising
as the future II was cold. barren
fact. She spent most OF the night
tossing on 1t. her mind active
building, rebuilding and with each
board laid on board calling Mac
Donald TO come and Sc Il he could
have built as well.
Morning dawned with q steady
rain dimming the landscape and
the big room filed with damp. cold
air. Had she not been so intent
upon her plans. Kathleen might
have complained. As It was she
felt vague pity for Bridget who
had been drawn into this life with
her, and slipped IN to build fire
''' -" "A Fairy Tale 81. s
-T'M, going to crash the Gregory
l cots today" she cqnfldgda =
don't know how, but watch
me-" 2ifEF
n intense desire were prayer
tuGH hhlu4GEl prayers WCtG al :
swered. She was idling along the
trail when q man rushed up 70 the
door Of q cot A moment later q
woman throwing coat over her
head. rushed out with him. caught
sight OF Kathleen and called.
aOh, Miss Riley. 90 stay with
the baby. Ny Johnny's cot tookie
There was no more. She had
fed in the wake Of the man who
was striding on ahead and Kath-
leen, after one glance around.
went into the cot.
For a moment she stood In the
doorway. then hastily she closed
the door. The big room was dark.
The big room. she realized. en-
compassed most OF the cottage.
There was tiny kitchen alcove,
and In moment she discovered 9
second alcove. Coughing came
from there. She hurried IN.
A tiny Girl lay there. When ~
paroxysn was over she smiled tir
at Kathleen. you're the gold
lady she said hoarsely. Like II
fairy tales. Tel me fairy tale.
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