The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-03-18

"What do you think you've given
me?"
"But 1 haven't changed. You
have. Let me sit and look at you.
When you came in just now, Mike
started telling me about you. I've
been imagining you living quietly
in England. Married. probably.
Instead"
But he saw that she did not be-
lieve him. She was right. He had
visualized her in England, but not
married. Often, he had told him
self, "she is probably married. She
has probably made her life with
out you" But he had never been
able to believe it. Her gray eyes
met his, steadily.
She ought to feel pride. She
ought to tell him lightly of all the
things her life had held for her,
while he was not there; how easily
she did without him. But she spoke
simply.
Tony. I'm very glad to see you
again. began to think I never
should. | forgot what you looked
like"
IT told myself you'd probably
forgotten my existence. But ]
couldn't believe myself. Does that
annoy you very much?"
She smiled and shook her head.
Zone thing about you, you always
start a little in advance of where
you left OFF, $50. 5ECT =.
what is the use Of pretending
humility don't possess? Your eyes
found me out just now. At once.
1t isn't any use lying to you. You
know perfectly well the effect you
have on me-" She felt lost. This
time she dared not believe he
meant a word more than he said.
RebelliouS
"VXIHEN you see mel" she mock
w ed. THANK you for the roses
in Moscow. Apart from that, you
didn't take much trouble to re-
mind me! No. humility isn't your
failing"
1--WE been in Arabia and Abys-
sinia."
81 know"
"But, Petrol, thought Of you
as different person. Saw your
future differently. You used to be
simple, with strong natural in
stincts. You we're intended to
marry a steady husband, have
charming children, and live
amongst them in a peaceful Eng
liSh home and garden"
''Most women seem erninently
suited for exactly the same things.
But life doesn't work out so that
they get them" ''|
I'D no idea, after you'd brought
those cousins safely out Of Russia,
that you'd ever wish to leave home
again. Somehow. / didn't hear the
things Mike has just been telling
me about you. Apparently you're
almost legendary. The Petreli"
Michael exaggerated. They all
do" But she could not help feeling
the warmth of triumph. She met
him now upon level ground.
Funny! Do you know you called
me that first? In Rangoon!"
He leant forward. His eyes met
hers searchingly. He wanted the
truth. Truth which he guessed
already. thought Petronella resent
fully.
eyes, but it ought never to have
been prophecy. Whose fault was
it, Petrol, that you grew to the
name? Mine? Or was it Fate?"
Why should she admit such a
possibility, why should she trust
him again? She was rebellious. He
had left her before, when he was
sure of her. He might do so again.
Years had passed, but she still felt
that she knew Tony Lance, utterly.
Anything he had done, he might do
again, to hurt her. She believed,
like Peter when he let Marigold
go, that Tony acted as he thought
best, for them both. But he would
never consult her. He rated the
intelligence of women, in an emo
tional crisis, just as Peter did. Lowl
She answered slowly. -.
mot fate, Tony-circunstances.
At first, it was Peters fault. He
was imprisoned in Germany. T.
rushed over by air, and with the
help of German friends, and Brit
ish pressure. managed to get him
released. The same Germans who
were so kind to me then are stay
ing in this very hotel now. AT least,
the Baroness Won CratZ is here. Her
nephew, Rene, is arriving in few
days time. He has turned out to
be a very good pilot. He is flying
here, from his last happy hunting
ground. Somewhere on the Dali
matian coast. I think. You'll like
Rene"
She watched him, but Tony's ex-
preston gave her no reason to
believe that he knew, or had heard
of Rene. Petronella had not even
told Peter Rene's secret.
AFTER that, my Aunt, who
brought us up, died and left me
most of her money, Peter the rest.
At first. Peter was only brilliant
in patches, Tony. He could get
story in marvellous manner. But
he did not handle it properly, or
see it through. I could just afford
to travel with him, so ] went along.
! think helped him. But for over
a year now, he hasn't relied on
me like that any longer. Now. I'm
just his right-hand woman. I'm
useful as blind. when he wants
to play the innocent tourist; useful
as a hostess. He leaves details to
me. But he knows the details he
needs. Before. / told him. / suppose
I've been considering leaving him,
and settling in England again. for
Just about year, now.
Copyright. 1859, Grace Elliott TdgIorl
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