The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-18

nella, their children. They both
loved her.
Tony Lance
HURING the years that followed
~ Petrol, James, and Peter all
did the things Peter suggested.
Difference in age did not
estrange Petronella and Peter. It
felt wrong TO both. Soon, she would
catch up While they were still at
school, Fathers presence at home
always seemed exciting and pleas
ant. He took them to musical COM
edies in London. to race meetings,
cricket, polo. The friction between
him and Peter increased so grad
ually that they scarcely noticed it.
'The old man is pretty cranky
today" Peter would say. But the
unsuccessful medical, which failed
Peter, on eyesight, for the Mill
tary- Police, accentuated it. The
Major could not afford to send him
to college, as the Randalls were
sending James.
When it came to Peters last term
at Sutcliffe school, Petronella and
Maisie were very worried by the
uncertainty of his future. Father
wanted him to 60 East. to Maller's
Rice Company. But Peter refused
to submit to exile without first
trying his luck at home.
Petronella, her Father, and
Maisie went to watch Peters last
cricket match. The grass looked
vivid green. that hot July day,
and the gray school buildings
beautiful. Peter was eighteen now.
His shoulders were square. His
hair as fiery, and his blue eyes as
lively as ever. He moved. spoke
and smiled jerkily. Even his 81
lences were unrestful, for when
Peter was quiet. it was because
his brain was busy.
"That's a fine bowler that fellow
Tony Lance" Major Malone said.
Against the blue crepe of her
plain best frock, Petrefs skin was
the gold of apricots. Her youthful
intent face, and her. steady eyes
watched Peter anxiously. eff only
he survives the first few balls! Obi
he's hit beautyi" she cried. Aunt
Maisie laid a hand on her knee
"Sshkss That isn't controlled!e.
Petronellas smiled at her. Ever
since Fathers attempt to take her
back to Burma next October. Aunt
MaiSie had been trying to teach
her to grow up. She let her choose
her own clothes. and held Molly
Lammings' dress-making up as an
example. Aunt Maisie had won,
temporarily. Petrol was to have
one more year at school. Petrol did
not want to go East if it meant
leaving Peter.
She found herself watching
Tony Lance. the bowler. He was
dark. He looked a man, playing
among boys. She learned that he
had left Suffers three years ago.
That he had played for Cambridge
and Oxford.
If Peters score had not climbed,
Petronella would not have met
Tony Lance. But by lunch, he had
made 50 runs. and Father was ex-
cited. James, very big, fair and
good looking in his new gray suit,
left Molly Lamming with his par
ents, to come and congratulate
Peter.
keep 1t up!n He bent and told
Petronella. You look m g.h v
NIGEL" Was Jamesstill crazy about
Molly, as he'd told her, Petrol won
dered. Perhaps it paid to be beau
tiful, and make frilly dresses. But
lshe still preferred rock climbing all
day with the boys.
Il tell you what I'll dol" Father
cried suddenly. IF you make your
century against that fellows bowl
ing, you boys shall have twenty
pounds each to go to the Alps"
He seemed to have forgotten the
unpaid bills, always lying on the
hall table. Petrol sat very quiet.
Their luck would mean her dis
appointment. It would mean a very