The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-27
Chapter Eight
Petrel's Fate

EetTeI b Z dtC
TONY'S eyes met hers, surveyed
l. the unexpected scene, then re-
turned to her face again.
While she stood looking at him,
1t was as if hand rested on her
shoulder, and a quiet voice said,
This is fate" The next moment
she repudiated the idea. She did
not believe he even recognized her.
On his long-boned face was an
expression of perplexed amuse-
ment. He walked across the room.
He stood facing her across the
table. Vaguely, he had recognized
her.
'This is very good. I'm proud
to realize that I've met you, and
ashamed ! can't remember where
it WASP"
You're Tony Lance. You played
cricket against my brother, Peter.
in the Suffers old boys match,
two years ago Pm Petrol Malone"
How do you do?"
Tony Lance took her outStretch-
ed hand.
Stormy Petrel!" he smiled. "Of
course remember" But Petron-
ella knew that, though he re-
membered her face, he still could
not recall their last meeting. But
she was too busy to explain fur
ther. She offered him coffee. He
refused
''Pm only passing through Ran
COON, on my way to China" he
told her. Il thought I'd see if !
could be any use here. But, so far,
I've done nothing to deserve extra
nourishment."
Il suppose you would like to get
me some milk? I've run out!"
He smiled. IF the sergeant has
no other job for me, I'll try. 1t
would be much easier to arrest
rioters, but I'll do my best"
He turned away. Leaving her,
with a nod, he crossed leiSurely
towards the door, leading to the
inner Office.
He was a journalist first, real
lied Petronella. A young, gauche
girl, surrounded by too many
young men. was of no interest TO
him. He wanted to get into the
thick of trouble. He was like Peter.
He was in search of news. She
must not trouble him with any,
thing so trivial as milk.
Watching, she saw him speak to
the police sergeant. at the desk.
The sergeant stood, instantly. II
was the first time he had done that
tonight. realized Petronella. And
many men had reported for duty.
He was a dark-skinned Anglo
Indian, business-like and inclined
to self-importance. Was i. any,
thing Tony had said to him. that
had had such effect? Or did men
always stand up to speak to Tony
Lance?
Apparently the men munching
sandwiches, and drinking round
her, also felt the interest of Tony's
personality. They interrupted her
observance of him to inquire:
Who is that tall fellow, Miss
Mallone?"
He's Tony Lance, well-known
journalist. He's on the staff of the
Daily NetDs."
They turned to stare at Tony's
back and half-averted face.
One confirmed her description.
"Of course! I've heard of him!"
stop This Escapade'
THE telephone bell was ringing
l. in the inner office. The sergeant
sat down again and answered it.
Looking up, he spoke to Tony. who
nodded, and turning, came to the
doorway. He beckoned to her.
THAT call is for YOU"
She went hurriedly to him. mot
my brother? He isn't hurt?" Tony
Lance shook his head. His eyes
were amused.
No-your father, Colonel NAL
lionel Rather angry, from the
sound OF It." Petronella'S glance
told him, eloquently, that she had
been expecting this. She passed
him. At the desk, she took the re-
ceiver, but stood hesitating. She
was tutoring herself to try to keep
her temper. She must not answer
Historically. It would be easy to
lose her Self-control. She was sud-
denly aware of the fearful weari-
ness OF her body. The strain and
excitement of the evening had not
slackened, since Peter heard those
shots, outside the Pwe tent. That
was hours ago. It must be after
four o'clock now. It would soon be
light The canteen had no more
milk, and father was going to send
her home in disgrace. AS if she
were a disobedient schoolgirl.
Hello, Father" He sounded an
grier than even she had imagined
possible. He was nearly incoherent
with rage. She could imagine his
choking neck, and the tight, angry
skin of his forehead.
Petronellal I've just heard Of
your outrageous foolishnessl" His
words became stutter, like wire
less etmospheries. 9hF
His voice emerged again. you're
10 stop this escapade at once. do
you understand? The sergeant
must be put to the trouble of CIV
ing you an escort. Let me speak to
himl Now don't arguel Get of the
line, get of the Incl"
Tony Lance was standing beside
her. Petrcnella felt that She had
his sympathy He took the tele-
phone from her.
Miss Malone has finished a
splendid job here. sir, and is going
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