The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-09-09
Chapter Nine
Cecily's Piance

MRS. WILKINSON and her
1fI husband look like a couple
Of international thieves, Mrs.
Brewster says" laughed Laura.
Cecily nodded. "She probably
asked Mrs. Brewster as many
questions as she asked me. When
she found out that / was Olivia
Darrell's niece, she asked me all
kinds of questions about Aunt
Olivia, about The parties at Darelea
and who the other guests were.
By the way, didn't know you had
been here last summer"
Laura flushed for no apparent
reason. 81 forgot to tell you," she
said. Il came here when ! was
about seventeen one summer and
] never forgot the place. I've al
ways loved it."
She didn't say that when she
was seventeen she had met
grave, keen-eyed young man who
had forgotten, or didn't know that
Laura Atwill was Laura Metcalf,
the wealthy daughter of a Boston
banker who had hired his boat
and his services day after day. The
young man himself was later to
become a banker. That was to
come later-nany years later, and
much had happened to Laura Met
calf before she met Donald Hem
ingway again.
eff you've got another brush,
I'll help you," she said and settled
down crosS-leggCd on the floor,
trying not to hear the thunder
and shouting above it.
at had to tell a lie while you
were gone" Cecily shouted in re-
turn. 81 had to save my reputa-
ton with Gloria's friends. They
thought l was a curiosity because
] haven't any beauX."
There was a flash of lightning
and a peal of thunder. The little
shop trembled and the candles
fiuttered. When the din subsidized
somewhat, Cecily, still shouting,
said. 81 told them ] was engaged"
HBut you're not!"
Cecily laughed. "Of course I'm
not. but did it to save face. ! said
was engaged to Philip Callen."
who's he?"
There was a quick boom and
over it, Cecily's voice went up
again. 81 don't know. He'sa writer.
He wrote Ride the Rainbow. /
never heard of him before but |
couldn't think of any name when
Karen asked me what the name
Of my fiance was. so selected that
one"
The thunder had stopped and
her voice sounded ridiculously
loud.
Alta girl" 1T: approved.
Never let them know the truth"
The candles sputtered again and
the doorbell tinkled at the front
of the shop.
Don't tell me eve a custom
er on a day like this" Cecily said
and got up.
Before she could get to her feet,
Mrs. Wilkerson put her head
around the corner of the screen.
Cecily had fleeting thought that
the lady had covered the distance
from the front door in amazingly
short order. 1t was only fieeting
thought.
''Oh. Mrs. Wilkerson, I'm so
sorry you didn't get the Message
left went to the inn to say that
I'll bring the baskets tomorrow
They won't dry today"
That's all right" Mrs. Wilker-
son said smoothly. I'm afraid |
won't be able to take them. We're
leaving tonight"
Then I'm sorry" Cecily replied
graciously. is there anything
can do for you now?"
where's The Fire?'
MRS. WILKINSON didn't an
WI swer at once. She appeared to
be studying Cecily's face. Then.
hurriedly. she said, Nothing, my
dear. ! just stopped by to tell you
that I won't be able to wait for
them"
Laura watched her departure
with contemplative eyes.
That's funny" she said. Nov
why would .he put herself out to
come down here on a day like this
Just to tell you she wasn't buying
two dollars worth of baskets?"
Cecily laughed at her friend.
Laura. anybody'd think you
thought she had designs on the
shop. You ought to get together
with Mrs. Brewster and have d
good talk about your impressions
Of poor Mrs. Wilkerson."
Well. you're likely to be suspi-
cious of people who don't belong
in a place like this, and the VIII
kersons don't belong Also, while
we're on the subject, did you get
a lock for the door? | don't think
you ought to leave it open at
night"
Laura, don't you kns " that
there hasn't been an occupant in
the local jail in the last FIVE years?
There isn't soul in this town that
would steal a postage stamp. Oh,
that reminds me, | haven't been
70 the poStoffice today"
She completely forgot about the
Wilkersons.
She was to think of Mrs. Wilker-
son one week FROM that day and
10 wish that lady had not been so
kind as to call on her to-cancel her
unimportant order.
That was the day that Philip
Callen appeared at Darelea.
The book-shop was open three