The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-05
Chapter 81
Under The Microscope

OluCA ObCOpO
CONTINUED reading to Adam.
"'Carewe - typical self-made
man. Not brainy, but solid. Inevi-
table humility of a man up from
the ranks.
Mrs. C.-enigma. Have seen
her three times and then only for
a few minutes-ran like a fright
ened rabbit. Can't find out nature
of her illness. Anne avoids subject,
but E. insists nothing wrong with
her at all. Deep-rooted inferiority?
"'Anne drinks too much-see
above. Could this be inherited
tendency? Anne very childish
about discussions of hereditary
traits-very i'll informed and in
clined to scott at accepted laws.
Must see to il she is better in
formed.
Elizabeth. Good mind-slow,
but intelligent listener. Behavior
remarkably normal, except for
small habit patterns. Very like her
father, who is an intelligent, supe-
rior type. Have had very inspiring
talks with her. Simple but sane
views"
/ paused. ''The next seems to
have been added later, with an in
delible pencil.
"'E. has prudish tendencies.
Perhaps puritan upbringing."
''Not very profound, is he?"
Adam queried. "Rather a heavy,
plodding mind-misses the subtle
ties. But he seems to have waded
through a lot of stuff - emerged
with some of the jargon. Go
on"
turned a page, read aloud,
adam Drew" before / could
stop myself. Then my eyes leaped
down the lines and my tongue
faltered.
Go on" said Adams quiet
voice.
1.-THE mans a fool" I said
shortly. "What right has he to put
anyone under the microscope?
We're all a little queer"
But Adam was not to be dis
tracted. He aid calmly, ."Are you
going to read that?"
He was not pluShing. His ex-
preston was rather set, his eyes
blank. I don't know why, but I
thought he was braced for blow
My eyes travelled down the lines
once more I'M the frightening
silence.
Adam Notwithstanding sub
.ject for, analysis. Almost total
reticence concerning self. Have
never heard him speak of home.
parentage, brothers, sisters. Seclu-
siveness in midst of group-in the
crowd but not of it. Treats all
women with impersonal gallantry.
IN. B. Women sense a lack. Is
he in flight from some past injury?
Seems to have erected defense
against all contact.
what is his family skeleton?"
mo, I'm not going to read it."
/ said at last. ats drivel."
/ threw down the notebook,
crossed the room.
'It's nearly morning. I'm going
to change. I'll he back presently"
Adam was Snatching up the
brown notebook as I opened the
study door.
Chink In The Armor
THE upstairs hall was quiet, but
l. there was a thread of light
under a guest-room door. passed
1t, turned on the light in my room
and stood blinkering in terrified
unbelief.
NY suitcase was by the bed,
where I had left it. locked on
Charles gun. It was not locked
now. The lid was up and the con-
tents churned.
I dropped to my knees, plunged
both hands into the disorder, then
rose and stared about me.
The gun was gone, and the
otherwise orderly room gave no
clue to the intruder.
Everything was as ] had left 1t
no, not everything.
Little Women was gone from
the bedside table, and on the blue
and-white candlewick bedspread
my evening bag was lying in the
midst of its spilled contents.
Adam came leaping UP the steps
at my low-voiced call, and when
he had heard my story and seen
for himself that the gun was gone
my wrongs overcame me and all
my frightened, resentful. humi-
lated tears overfiowed onto the
stiff white bosom of Adams mess