The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-04-06
Gro IS SERVICE
BY CRACE ELLIOTT TAYLOR

Lieutenant Blake ca m and
stood beside Petronella on deck.
when they neared FerroL Rosita
now played snakes and ladders
with a small. dark-eyed boy. quar-
reling shrilly, and appealing to the
grown ups. who would not listen.
Blake searched. the coastline
with his binoculars.
Petronella said. Il can see the
white houses" But he knew what
it was Mrs. Lance wanted to see,
and his cheerful. red face assumed
an expression Of anxious SYM
pathy. and false optimism.
Hell be along. Petrol. Don't
you worry. But what did you have
to 60 and marry a fellow who un-
dertakes jobs like that for, en-?
Plenty of others to choose from,
and you had to pick him!" he
smiled at her. There was admira-
ton in his eyes.
Joy
Il DON'T know. jim OF course.
i the navy wasn't in port at the
time!" But she laughed. incredu-
lousy. She had not had a bath for
four days. She had slept in her
clothes. The mirror in her handbag
had been trodden on and broken,
and her powder compact rolled
overheard. between the rails. by
little Rosita.- Yet Jim Blake was
still prepared to tell her that she
looked attractive. Either he must
be extremely chivalrous. or most
uncritical
But as matter of fact, he was
neither. Standing beside this taut.
slender girl. he decided that love
improved some women. lighting
their eyes and enhancing their
expression. He was hoping very
sincerely that everything would
be all right. for this new Petron-
ella.
I She asked family, Were nearly
past now. aren't we?"
Getting on" he admitted.
Petrol turned her head away,
so that he should not see her face
pucker.
81 don't think he'll be coming
now Perhaps he will send me a
radiogram. later she spoke, to
spare him the trouble of trying to
reasSure her. Nothing he could say
could lessen her suspense.
But he seized her arm. Listen,
Petrel!" -
She swung abruptly round. 81
hear it. tool" He pointed.
BY jove. he's done it. He's COM
ing out from Ferrol. Look, against
the land there. Now. catching the
sum-"
Il seel Oh. Tony, .Tonyl" she was
laughing. crying, both. One hand
gripped Jim Blake's. the other the
rail- He. in his heart, was praying
that they had not made a mistake.
They saw the plane make straight
towards them from the coast. II
was a small machine. 1t looked as
if Petrol was right. It was travel
ing fast. 81 es
Il don't suppose she carries wire
less No loving message this time"
Jim told her. He was glad. because
she was glad.
Il don't need any other mes
sage"
A shrek went up from the decks.
Were they to be attacked. even at
sea?
The plane was nearly overhead.
With a roar of engine. it swooped
low over the bridge. and the decks
in a gay salute. Petronella could
see Tony's head and shoulders
plainly. He waved from the cock
pit. He was hatleSs. She waved
back. wildly excited. Rosita, who
had rushed and chung to her knees,
blinked and waved. and squeaked.
Rising again, before the British
Navy had had time to hoist a sig.
nal OF remonstrance at dangerous
flying. the plane turned and head
ed northwards. Petrol followed it
with Jim Blake's glasses. till Tony,s
head became indiStinct.
He will be home before me-"
she sighed. lowering them, and
gazing after him in deep satisfac-
ton.
But how long will he stay
there?" She smiled. without turn
ing her eyes from Tony's plane.
That is something you don't
have to ask. If you're married to
trouble"
Copyright. 1889 Grace Eniott Toy,or)
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