The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-03-31
Chapte: So
An Old Acquaintance


= nalists are" Petronella told
James and Tamara. Martin hasn't
heard from Peter for three days.
He thinks Tony Lance somehow
persuaded pilot, non commits
stoned officer of the Government
forces. who wanted to desert. to
fly them across the front, so that
they could join the advance of the
rebels towards Madrid"
James spoke sharply. you
never told me Lance was in Ma
drid." He could not understand the
look in PeterPs eyes as she an
swered. HE is" she stated. They
may have got through. They may
have been shot down. Commune
cations are all cut. Tony was
waiting for information for Fran
CO. He may have received it. and
Peter. who was longing to get out
OF Madrid, would certainly have
tried to persuade him to take him
along with him. It wouldn't have
occurred to Tony to refuse" Her
smile was bitter.
"Poor Petrol - they are devils
to make you suffer like this" Ia
mara walled pitifully. Waiting,
waiting for news"
Petrol put an arm round Ia
nnara's shoulders foi a moment,
then withdrew it again. She looked
at James. THAT is what came to
tell you both. I'm sorry, but can't
stand it here any longer. / feel 1
must get away. Suspense-and in
action-they're terrible compan-
ions, James. You see, Martin
may hear news any time, or one
Of the other papers may receive a
message. I've got to be in town.
telephoning often. till I know Be-
tween whites, can do great deal
meet friendS-keep busy. You
understand? You don't mind?"
James and Tamara looked at
one another. Tamara smiled.
Even if this had not happened,
she could not have stayed, Petro-
nella told herself, as she packed
her case. Ballfield was too quiet.
This was the excuse she kept Civ.
ing herself, for her flight to town.
But it was not the whole reason.
She was not really afraid to wait,
and pray, for Tony and Peter. She
knew this. She could have borne
to stand by, and watch Tamara
and James. Even though it hurt
her pride, to know herself un-
loved. But she was obeying a
stronger impulse, sense of ur-
gency. and danger. That urge,
perhaps, which Aunt Maisie had
called guidance" and which she
called instinct, or bunch, told her
that unless she caught the next
fast train to Victoria, something
vitality important in her life would
have been neglected.
It was impossible to expect
James to understand such super
stition. It was unreasonable. He
believed that she was behaving
like this on account of Tony, and
her brother. But he was not en-.
tirely right. Suppose something
had happened to Tony? Before
this possibility every other con-
sideration went down Blame mat
tered as little as merit.
James drove her to the station.
There was pity in his eyes. She
was glad she felt no resentment.
But she was grateful to him for
his silence. It was an opportunity
for him to tell her about Tamara,
but he did not take il. Today was
Saturday.
Obeying Impulse
WnL you lunch with me on
Monday, usual placer" He
was arranging to talk it over.
thought Petronella. She wondered
what he would say. Had he dis
cusSed the situation with Tamara?
Or would he break the path by
protesting that they had been
strangers. lately: that he resented
her preoccupation, and her anxi-
ETY. for Tony? But Petre, felt sure
this possibility was only self.
delusion. He would tell her that
he and Tamara loved one another.
She agreed to meet him. James
stood outside her carriage till the
train started moving. They did
not speak, till she said:
Thank you for driving me.
Goodby."
%Goodby, Petrol"
She sat watching the country
fiy past the window. She won
dered what James would have
said IL he had known that her pass
port was in her bag. Yet she had
no intention Of going abroad.
Again, she had obeyed impulse.
Was she little mad? II was there,
Just in case she suddenly decided
70 lose the battle of mind to heart
But she was more than ever deter.
mined not to lose it. If Peter were
killed, it would be Tony's fault
for allowing him to do such q
crazy thing, as change sides In the
middle OF q revolution. In like
ways, he would always lead his
companions into danger. II might
be impossible to subdue her love,
but she was determined 10 con.
troll her actions.
When she reached Victoria, Pet
Eonella went to the telephone
boxes, and stood, waiting to cail
frst the Netrs Office. then the hotel.