The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-09-11
Chapter 10
Interesting People

Interesting People
@CUPPOSE make myself clear"
- Philip told Cecily. "You an
nounced rather publicly that you
were engaged to Philip Callen. In
fact. you did it, in your own words,
so save face
How did you know that?" she
demanded heatedly.
You look too intelligent to be-
Eeve a little bird told me so I'll be
honest with you One of those
things happenedl My-that is,
friend of mine. June WilkerSon,
happened TO hear your little dis
closure, was amused by it and
brought the news to me. Well now,
] thought, really ought to see my
Cecily. And here / am"
Eyes. / see that you are. But. of
course. you'll leave?"
But, of course. will not leavel
think you are charming. / like
your aunt and | think | shall en-
Joy a little visit with you all. A
writer ought to get around and
meet interesting people. don't you
agree with me?"
Cecily walked in his direction.
Toward the door. His hand fell on
her arm. Where are you going?"
"I'm going to tell my aunt the
truth"
His hand detained her. He began
70 speak very softly. 81 wouldn't
do that. Cecily. I'd let it 60 if l were
you | mean no harm. After all,
I'm only looking for material. And
If you'll forgive my seeming lack
Of modesty. am rather amusing
fellow: There is also this-you will
continue to keep face. / sized those
other girls up in five minutes.
What will they think of you if you
60 in there now and admit that
you had to manufacture "a ro-
nance? Can't you be good scout?
Can't you pay your little debt that
you incurred yourself? Don't you
think il is a bit unfair to use me
for your own ends and now not
want 10 make it up?"
Philip Callen reached Cecily in
her one vulnerable spot-she al
ways played fair.
She looked at him steadily, saw
that he was handsome in a heavy
way, saw that there was twinkle
in his eye and-somethin" else in
the firm line of his Jaw that she
didn't like.
"If this is the way that you en-
Joy being invited to be a house
guest. and if this is your idea of
payment for a foolish impulse, by
all means do accept Aunt Olivia S
invitation. But please don't annoy
me by any implied intimacy"
We'll. you'll expect me to act
like your fiance. | hope" he said,
Laughing at her.
Cecily didn't sleep very we'll that
night Her conscience troubled
her. She hadn't even asked for his
credentials and she was RESPONSE
bic for his presence under her
sunfs roof.
Her uneasiness melted during
the next week. Philip Calien fitted
into the house-party at Darelea
with charming grace. It was Philip
who planned the costume dance at
the Yacht Club. It was Philip who
organized games in the evenings
that had seemed long and dull be-
fore he came. 1t was Philip who ar
ranged delightful motor trips for
them. He was distinctly a.. addi-
ton 10 the household.
And he did include Cecily in
his aura of popularity. Her own
Importance increased with his.
Against her will, she found herself
laughing at his impudence.
But she avoided being alone
with him. She found that she liked
him when others were about but
when she was alone with him. she
felt that she distrusted him. She
told herself fairly she had no rea-
son TO feel that way and tried to
explain il 20 herself by saying that
he had no charm for her. She didn't
dislike him. Nor did she like him.
When Olivia insisted that he
stay on after his first week at
Darelea. Cecily sighed and accept
ed the situation.
Visitor
CHARP needles of rain struck the
~ drawing room windows with
a staceatc sound, like points of
steel on glass. Cecily. stirring the
spoon in her coffee cup glanced
idly over the room. At the far end,
Olivia thumbed through her music.
Karen and Allene bent over a jig
saw puzzle. Gloria slouched in a
big chair and pouted. Cecily put
down her cup and picked up her
knitting.
Then Philip came into the room.
He had had some letters to write
directly after dinner, he had said.
Immediately the room came to
life.
isn't II dreadful, Philip. this
rainl" Olivia moaned.
Il don't mind a little rain. When
I was in Observation-Disclosures
we had six weeks of it. It was
when Metro was making picture
Of my novel"
Cecily sighed and looked at the
clock. It was only a little after
nine. She knew what the rest of
the evening was going to be like.
Philip had started on one OF his
$When-I-was" discourseS. Shed
already heard about when he was
IN London and. one gathered. IAN