The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-21
Chapter Three
0pportunity

Opportuaity.
IDETRONELLA blamed herself,
I bitterly. Deep down she had
known this. would happep. As
soon as she read those stilted, self
conscious little articles, over which
Peter had tried so hard. He wrote
much better than that. in his
sefbbled diary. She brushed tears
out or her eyes. That Air Mail let
ter. crawling meekly, to father.
agreeing that they would both
come out to Burma, was as good
as written. and posted. Peter had
the offer of a steady job. She. the
chance of accompanying him. Of
being spoiled. and having the time
OF her life in a country where
there were more men than women.
Where even competition from girls
like Molly wouldn't worry you
very much. Father said he. would
be out every night.
It might not be so bad. II she did
not fall in love and marry, as
father wanted, Aunt Msisie had
promised her. that she could come
home and train, for a career: that
the Forest House" should be her
home, il she needed it. Looking at
things sensibly, this desperate bid
for entry into the overcFowded
newspaper world. in London. had
probably always been crazy and
senseless. Even If Peter had landed
a job he might not have held it
down.
f, And here he came againi
But this time. Peter was hurry
ing. He looked eager.
peter, you haNen't-?"
"Not vet. but there's hopei
You've got to come inside with nae.
The chap asked me to wait, because
somebody important called to see
him. told him you were outside.
He looked out of his office Win-
dow" Peter indicated The building
towering above them.
u could see you, Just standing
on one leg. the way you do. He
thought you looked tired. PERHAPS
you were. a bit? | suppose | have
been gone some time. Anyway, he
said ! was to bring you in, He's a
terribly decent fellow, Petren
Gray haired. but not old. You'll
like him. Even if he kicks me out.
like all the rest. he'll do it &C
companied by sound advice"
Perhaps he won't! Perhaps he'll
give you a chancei Peter, this is
They sat on the edges of chairs.
IN the outer Office. The room was
full Of people, machines. desks.
files. There was perpetual coming.
and going. and telephoning. No one
took the slightest notice of them.
Gradually. Petronella's hot
hands cooled. and her panic SUBJ
sided into an icy apprehension.
They could see a dark blur shad-
owed against frosted glass, on the
door marked News Editor. They
heard the rumble of voices which
belonged to Martin. Rowdon. and
his visitor. II began to look unlike
ly that she would ever see him. In
q moment they would be told to
20 away.
But. abruptly, the door was
thrown open, and he was standing
there. He was q hearty man. with
a large head. nearly white hair,
and fine eyes. that seemed to find
her amusing.
'UndeF Your Very Nose
NOV you twol Come along in.
~ Sorry. 70 have kept you wait
ing. Never become a journalist,
my dear. IT'S a terrible life."
Il shouldn't be any GOOD" agreed
Petronella hastily. lest he should
think that she, too. was looking for
a job.
He glanced at her a second time,
and smiled. His eyes complimented
her, as if telling. her that he
thought she might do very much
better than become a newspaper
woman. Since Petronella's look
ing-glass no longer told her dis
couraging things, she was growing
accustomed to the admiration Of
men. It was a gratifying, but a
natural accompaniment to life.
Rowdon pulled up a chair for her
Sitting at bis desk he looked at.
and spoke 20 Peter.
"fve been thinking about YOU,
since sent you down to get your
sister. ] can't do anything for you, |.
he said bluntly. Petronella made
no sign, but her heart cried out IN
sympathy for Peter. She sat facing
Rowdon. She did not turn her
head to look at her brother. He
picked up Peters typeScript and
threw Il down with a shrug.
"Your articles are rotten" he
said. "You were over anxious, you
had nothing to write about. and
you're not. clever enough to be
able to write successfully about
nothing. That disposes Of them.
But not Of your future, Mr.. Peter
Malone. No I don't believe Il
does. You told me you were trying
to avoid taking a job in Burma,
Rangoon, wasn't it? Which may
tie you to q rice mill. and a safe
Job for the rest Of your life? Wei
IL seems to me that under your
very nose Is the chance you're
asking me 10 give you ! can't give
il to you here in London. I might
be able to. bat you'd have 10 grind
for years. But there's q lot Of
trouble brewing In the East: es-
pecially in Burma. And Burma ]:
a country we haven't got coveree
well--only by a cable service ns
FRA han3 awaarier,ro stuff X0i