The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-04-01

FGIOlet4d Was LIl1fik1DB. AT last
she said, do you know. you're
right If the news comes that
they're alive. FL CO."
"Pm glad. Go and telephone
again" ~
Petronella did not think there
could be any news yet, but there.
was a chance. She kept telling her.
self, as she dialed the Netcs Office
ntIrnbers and waited. that she was
mad 10 feel this inner elation, and
excitement But the. moment she
Ilheard the voice of her friend on
| the switchboard answering her.
she knew il was justified.
IS that Miss Malone? Oh,
we've been wanting to get you. ri
put you straight through to Mr..
Rowdon."
"Petrel?" cried Martin Rowdon
heartily. We've just heard. Those
fellows " eren't even English. Pc
ter and Tony Lance haven't left
Madrid. They've only just heard
the. ru.nor themselves. But they're
finding il harder. and harder. to
get a line"
Petrel's answer was a whimper
of delight
"Oh. Martin-Pm so happy!"
"Steadyi l know how you feel"
Martin I'll be ringing you
again later" she half sobbed. ITO
tell you some news. I'm going
to Spain myself. shall want your
help" 49,. =
Her fee did.not notice the sta
ton until she reached Clare again.
She shouted. They're all right"
from the door.
Il felt they must be-"
Petronella repeated what Mar
tin RoWdon had told her. Her eyes
WEI shining. I'm still goingl You
helped tremendously" she told
her. II | hadn't met you. l might
be feeling shaken and angry, after
that scare. Now, well, I'm Just
thanking God I met you, Clare.
Whatever happened, feel at one
again; alive again. You see, Tony
and Peter, they matter. They're
my life. When I'm away from
them. I'm dead. How does one get
10 Madrld!
by ship to Valencia, think"
They decided that she should leave
as soon as possible. Martin Rowdon
would wire Peter to meet her.
Clare had become exceedingly
practical. now that it was settled.
She was determined Petrol should
achieve something for other peo-
pie. even if she did not manage it
| for herself.
Public sympathy Is one Difficult
ty here. You see, we can't combine
children OF both government and
Insurgent parents in the scheme.
But / shall get to work as soon as
| hear from you, and Join you out
there as soon as I can. 70 complete
arrangements"
Pm Glad Failed
JAMES sat opposite Petronella
- at lunch. Il was Monday. Her
hair aad been newly washed, and
looked soft round her face. She
was pale, shining eyed, and sitting
nervously upright. The orchestra
was playing romantic selection
from Lehar. and there was pleas
ant aroma from the sizzling grill,
and the flowers between them on
the table.
Her passport lay on the white
cloth. She had shown him her spe-
cial visa. He had heard her inten-
ton. 1t was incredible, thought
James. She was leaving this, for
Sp1 /. She was going back to those
two, and had promised to Under
take Clare Horizons difficult, prob
ably thankless responsibilities as
an excuse for going. James was
horribly afraid for her life.
Because OF the degree of love he
mus. always feel, and the mixture
or admiration and pity for her, he
would apply the greatest pressure
ne could to stop her going. For he
doubted that. she thought il her
duty. In generous cause. She had
not Stressed that reason. No. she
needed saving from herself, from
her infatuation. for Lance. And
I ON her love for Peter.
She certainly did not know, yet,
about himself and Tarnara. II he
could prevent her committing this
final folly. she need never know.
He had told Tamafa that, sternly.
He was prepared to give up their
new, Quickening love for his for
mer loyalty. She valued her en-.
gagement as safe background,
even If she did not love him pas
sionately. They would be happy.
He would probably be safer with
her. than with Tamara.
ITS crazy idea. You can't do
any real good"
The work IS largely common
sense"
"But. Petrol. can't you see II
isn't your job? You're engaged to
be my wife. To live in England"
There's no longer any question
OF our marrying one another" she
smiled at his clustering.
But we settled all that. | know
you still love Tony. and always
VIII. to a certain degree, in spite
or the rotten way he's consistently
treated you. There isn't any need
to throw our solid, reliable under
standing over because of him"
Wasn't he going to say anything
about Tamara? Didn't he want TO
be free? Why did he keep giving
her these chances? James looked
away. She understood No wonder
she had very nearly succeeded In
loving him!
Tf / could have forgotten Tony,
l would have done" she said, her
voice gentle with gratitude. but
I'm glad ! failed. James. We might
have been happy together IL I'd
never met Tony. / might still have
made Won harr,v "a Tarnara haar,sA