The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-10-09
Chapter "a
Yacht Club

DHILIP was hard put to divorce
4 the banter from the sarcasm
He hid behind similar banter,
Wouldn't you be willing to starve
IN a garnet. Cecily?" he asked.
With your social gifts, we
wouldn't have to- And then. of
course. you could always write an
other book"
He seized on her suggestion. "As
q matter Of fact, Pve a great book
IN mind, my girl. You know, Ce-
ely. as I've said to you before, I'm
only a weak fellow unable to re-
sist the pleasant lure of your cor
dial invitations. But now :. well,
I'm getting anxious to be at work.
II / didn't know that your aunt
was counting on me to stay around
for the concert, I'd jolly well get
out and get to work"
''Of course. she's counting on
you" Cecily murmured, wonder
ing just what he had TO do with it.
I'm going to Rio. Did | tell
your"
moi"
yes. The background of my
next novel is laid in South Amer
lea and ! want TO run down to get
4 little local color"
'-Oh. Piahip. I'm so disappointed.
thought you were staying here
TO get local colori | was so sure
wed all be in he, pages of the next
bcst-seller."
That wouldn't be quite cricket,
would IL"
mo. it wouldn't, and you're
strong on cricket, aren't your"
He stole a quick glance at her
out of the corner of his eye but
the darkness hid her face. Battling
girl. He couldn make up his mind
whether she was clever by acci-
dent or intent.
She was silent then, tired of her
play. The rest of the drive they
talked very little. The next day she
took her new frock down. to the
shop &c show il TO Laura. Laura
said th1d Sl0fSh. But it was patent
that she had to make an effort to
be interested in it.
Swish is what | need. | started
something long time ago on that
cruising party when / saiu | was
engaged a Philip Callen and now
I've got 10 see it through If Philip
isn't going 10 be interested in me,
III have three new mel TO work
On"
What do you mean Philip isn't
Interested" Laura asked, in
Staniiy alert.
Cecily said. "Oh. his brief ardor
expressed on another occasion
seems 10 have defatcd. He's anx-
i0us 10 get back 10 wo.k, he says. +"
"Ea"k where?"
Hes going tc Rio. he says"
Laura was showing unWonted
interest n Philip. 'o0r Laura.
Ceciiy thought She probably feels
the way ! do MAyb my mood Is
contagious. We used TO be so gay
around here. a couple of school,
girls playing al romance.
What are you going to wear to
the d7rce. Laura? Your turquoise
safin?"
I'm not going" Laura said
qus;lv.
ut going to the Yacht Club
dance Why Laura. where's your
patriotism. or local pride, or social
consciousness. or something See
hosy brave | am. Laura. Can't you
be the ame? What's the matter
with you? You haven't lost any
thing"
Laura lifted her head proudly
but her face looked as forlornly
pathetic rs a child's. Donald was
IN yesterday. It's the first time I've
sen him since since
Cecily knew when that since
was. She hadn't seen Locke since
thu day.
Go on" she said gently. Don
aid was in. and-?"
He Regrets
@uE SAID he was cry sorry to
Ii disappoint me but business
calls him to to some other place.
! didn't even hear the name of it.
he regrets that he will be unable
TO be here
"And what do you make of it,
Mrs. Atwill?"
Laura said tonelessly, What is
there 20 make of it? He doesn't
want 10 see me again. He doesn't
want to be seen at the dance with
me. He thinks oh. what he
thinks is dreadful"
Notc, see tDhat yolpve done.
Cecily Stuart, getting your friends
IN troubled
"Oh, Laural I'm so dreadfully
sorry. That stick-in-the-mud"
Calling him MANS doesn't help
any of US. Besides, / don't blame
him"
Don't blame him? Laura At
win, haven't you any backbone?
What in Sam Hill can't you tell
him? Tell him what an idiot he is!
He's been taking you out spark
in, they call it up here-aIl sum-
mer. His intentions must have been
serious. So what are you afraid
of"
Laura didn't answer her.
'If 1 were YOU. I'd send a note