The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-25

something for ne?" He moved
closer to her.
almost anything, Petrol" The
man was enfuriating, she thought,
impatlently.,I 1t would do him good
to have to put his protestation into
crude practice, she decided re-
morselessly.
II want you to drive round to
four or five houses, collecting
things. Then come back here. and
pick me up" '-'
."'What kind of things? And
where are We going?" =
ITO the police station. Most of
the boys are going to be out all
night. on patrol duty. They'll get
very tired and hungry. Pm going
to make quarts of coffee. let the
tservants cut sandwiches. and run
a canteen for them"
."I'll do anything else for you,
but not that. l can't let you. Your
father would" =
"That is the only thing do ask"
said Petronella. IF you won't do
it, I'll go myself" - ...j.- =
Peter heard about it first from
Hugh. He was helping the police
to pack Cooringhi family into a
lorry. ~ '~''>'A
F"Mallone,. do you Know what
that sister of yours is doing?"
"No. What?" He deposited the
uncleanA looking brown Children
whom he had carried from, the
house, one tucked under each arm,
into the brown hands outstretched
to- receive them. ard turned. sur
prised.
She's running a canteen for us!
Called people up. Collected food
and drinks and things, and simply
walked in, and took possession of
the police station! She made poor
Cramping help her. He's worried
at the thought of what your old
man will say" :
"Don't blame him! l don't think
it's a good idea either"
e"But it's sterling effort!" Hugh
declared. Il was feeling pretty sick
a little while ago. | don't mind tell
ing you. Seeing a chap have his
head nearly severed from his body
wasn't nice atlall. Then,s to walk
in to report and Gee her smiling at
me, and offering me a sandwich
and hot cdffee-marvelous!". I
| Peter froWned. 81 suppose it is
all right for her, to do it?'' 4
mo-; admitted the. other. blunt
ly. IF she's get good nerves, it is
likely to spoil them. They were ifir-
| ing right under the window, when
was there, And they brought. ia
Several wounded. Some of the fell.
lows don't seem to realize who she
is, and don't confine their accounts
| of their experiences as they might.
She was sticking to her job, and
not looking, or appearing to listen,
but" 81 4 u '
"Ill 60 along" BsssBb*si
Instant Recognition u
IONE of the police, whose right
~ arm was in a sling, was help
ing his sister. when Peter entered
the smoke-laden room. She stood
behind long table pushed back
against one wall of the station
waiting-room. It was covered with
white cloth. She was dispensing
coffee to five Or six grateful. ex-
hauSted young men. She looked
business-like. She had put on an
apron. Her hair was pushed back,
damply, from her forehead. Her
eyes looked large because her face
was pale. She saw him. waved.
What do you thingJfather will
Say?" she asked. anxicusly, when
he leant over the improvised
counter, to speak to her.
81 can guess. Good show. but
you'll be dead tired! What made
you think Of it,"
Common sense. You'll all have
to work tomorrow. can sleep"
He lowered his voice You look
rather groggy. Feel alright"
t. Petronella's gray eFes looked
directly at him. A wofikded police
Eofficer, awaiting an ambulance to
take him to hospital, lay groaning
I'm corner of the room, covered by
a coat
"rm all right. Coffee, darling?"
Peter went back to his patrol
work in the dark streets.
Petronella carried on. It made
her shy, as well as gratifed, to find
her effort so acclaimed. She was
surrounded by men she knew
slightly, or not at all. Some took
her presence for granted, but
many offered her help, thanks,
and encouragement. Most of them
made light of the situation. Some
of their jokes seemed to her CAL
louS, and horrible. But she be-
lieved il helped them to adopt a
casual attitude: Often, those who
| tested so crudely. had come in
looking as green as Hugh had done.
So she forced herself to smile,
family Unless her being here
helped them in every possible way.
she would have failed. She knew
that the slaughter was so savage,
that it must awaken counter ha-
tired in those whose duty it was to
| try, toscllrh it. 80 B.
| JShe was worried now by the
failure Of her supply Of milk. Cof-
fee was most acceptable to the
tired patrols. Several young men
Were offering suggestions, when
the door opened.
Every time someone entered.
Petronella looked up. She was
afraid of seeing either Of two
things; somebody horribly wound
| ed, or her father. Her heart mis-
timed its beats.
Tall and surprised. in the door
way. stood & man she recognized
instantly.
It was Tony Lance.