The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-09-26
Chapter %
oRICA 81
Something Definite


Il went on. Cecily was careful to
give all her attention to Philip, not
TO look in back of hes. Uncon-
sciously - and entirely without
volition - she was following the
age-old recipe: be gay and he'll
be jealous.
She was gay. She chatted easily,
brightly, laughed at Philips sal
lies until he felt he was a very
amusing How and that she was
beginning to appreciate him. They
sat in the window of the drug
store and ate ice-cream.
Lightly, seemingly indifferently,
her eyes swept the small groups
coming into the store, driving or
strolling past.
She didn't find him. Perhaps he
hadn't even seen that she was
there.
There was no reason then why
she should permit Philip to take
her arm so possessively when they
left the drr store. But she no long
er cared. Why always protest
about everything?
Locke had seen her. He told her
50 the next day.
She was wrapping up a pack
age for customer when he came
IN.
She sait Hello" casually, and,
I'll be with you in moment"
mo hurry" he answered and
turned the pages of a book idly.
The customer was maddening-
ly slow about paying for his pur-
chase. Cecily saw him. to the door,
propelling him with her will to
leave, praying hopefully that no
one else would come in. 1t was
Thursday. a busy day at the shop,
busy for one of those queer psy-
geological reasons no one could
figure out.
The customer, almost to the
door, stopped and picked up an
other book. Cecily smiled, looked
al Locke and. catching his eye,
made little despairinP gesture.
Before she turned back, she was
uncomfortably aware that for the
first time he hadn't answered her
gesture. AS though the continuity
between them had been broken.
Whe at last she ha bowed,
smiled and almost pushed the un-
wanted customer out of the shop,
she turned arOu:Id with a gay
little smile for a welcome on her
lips.
Locke didn't look at her. Sensi-
tive - exquisitely sensitive - to
every nuance of theil relation
ship. Cecily felt instantly that
something had happened. Some
thing that was not merely his
withdrawing because of what had
happened before. This was some
thing new. Something definite had
happened
Selling something today?" she
asked with attempted lightness.
mo, just a little social call.
Thought. like the minister, I'd
drop IN for a bit of local gossip
and cup of tea. Are you in both?"
THAT depends" she answered,
relieved at his words. She pre-
tended that there was nothing new
in his attitude. Would you settle
for some ginger cookies and a glass
Of milk? That's what I'd planned
for my tea. I'm going to a big party
tonight Aid I've got lots of work
20 do here"
I'll clear along" he said at
once.
At once she said, "Oh, please
stay. Let's have it in back"
In back was the screened off
small space that Cecily used for
her office"
"A Long Story
THEY perched companionably
l. on the sturdy table with a
pitcher of milk between them and
nibbled ginger cookies.
do you think a woman should
keep her pat from her husband?"
Locke said surprisingly.
ISecily almost chokec over her
biscuit. -what?"
Not that really care. I'm max
ing conversation. How'd you like
the movie last night? sNot very
well, I'm afraid. I'm afra | your
attention was not on the plight of
the misunderstood wife"
"Oh, so you did know / was
there?"
"Of course"
Then why didn't you wait and
speak 10 me?"
xith?"
Cecily made no answer.
see," he said coldly.
There was an imp in Cecily. She
said. Il don't know what you saw
but whatever it was, I'll thank
you 10 remember that the gentle
nan waS-to all intentS and pur-
poses-my fiance. Mr.. Philip Cal
len"
Cecily's words had all instan-
taneous and unexpected effect.
Locke, in one smooth movement,
got rid of his glass, rose to his feet,
Rrasped both her wrists in his
strong hands and compelled her
gaze.
Say that again."
He isn't really, Locke! It's a
long story"
Suppose you tell ii to me-" he
said softly but Cecily felt as
though he were speaking, between
set jaws. She didn't know Whether
she was alarmed or thrilled. There
was something about Locke that
frightened hsr.
Il thought you knew who he
was" she said. you seemed to
know SO much more about me
than ! knew about YOU"
You neglected to mention that
you were engaged to him"
I'm not. Locke. I tried to tell