The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-20


met, Mr.. Kensing; pn Talbot
Mack"
Godfrey extended a limp, un-
willing hand, appraising young
Mack with hostile eyes as their
hands clasped briefly. Then Nola
sauntered up and greeted Tally
with a warmth that froze Thorn's
frown on his face.
sim so glad you've come" she
smiled, her eyes twinkling as she
noted the growing circle about
them. 81 cant tell you how pleased
/ was when Jocelyn told me she
had insisted on your being with us
tonight. Has she introduced you
to everyone? Nor" Nola turned to
Lyn who was palpably bewildered
and annoyed. "Lyn, darling intro
duce your guests of the evening?
We want to know everyone, don't
we, Tally?"
Jocelyn, her chin set stubbornly,
took Nola and Tally on round Of
the ballroom. her blue eyes becom-
ing stormier with each introduc-
ton she performed.
Ruth B n o n smiled archly.
whats the idea of holding out on
the rest of us?" she scolded. "You
can expect plenty Of female v.si-
tors from now on!"
Most of Lyn's girl friends made
similar remarks. 1850:
Jocelyn felt she had reached the
bursting point when Eleanor II
lington invited Tally to party
the following afternoon.
"I'm afraid Mr.. Mack will have
to disappoint you" she said. striv-
ing for control. "He has cows and
chickens and a truck garden to
look AFTER"
Eyes," he agreed with imper-
turbable good humor, II happen
to be a farmer, Miss Ellington"
Mocking
"XXTHY, that's marvelous!" Flea
w nor cooed. Il had no idea
you were the young man from
Texas"
A blast from the orchestra halt
ed conversation. Without asking
permission, Tally drew Jocelyn
into his arms and danced her out
on the floor. Godfrey. vexed ex-
preston on his usually mild face,
cut in. Over his shoulder Jocelyn
watched Tally find Nola and sweep
her, laughing, into the dance.
There was a resentful twinge In
the region of Lyn's heart.
Geoff blurted, "Just what is the
idea of asking him here?"
Because ] wanted to-"
But ,vhy? You said you couldn't
bear him."
81 can't"
"Then why on earth
"You don't understand women.
Geoff."
Il guess | don'tl guess no man
does"
II think" unused Jocelyn, "there
is one man who understands them
far too we'll" A little laugh of self
derision escaped her. Tally had
known very well just why he had
been invited. Once again he had
thwarted her.
Godfrey. preoccupied, missed a
step and trod on her small green
slippers.
"Hadn't you better call the veti-
nary and find out the state of your
pony's health?" she suggested.
"You certainly haven't your mind
on dancing"
His eyes were uneasy. "Come
outside with me. Lyn. ! want to
talk to YOU"
In the semi-darkness of porch
corner he lifted her chin with his
finger-tips. "You do love me, don't
you, Lyn? I've never questioned it
before, but now"
"Then why now?" she asked
lightly, absorbing all the dear IA
maliarity of him. This was the man
she wanted for life. Substantial;
dependable; her own kind of per.
son. He would make dutiful hus-
band and-and a fine father for
their children. He was good to look
at, too. He had a nice firm face:
clear fair skin: pleasant hazel eyes:
and
"Of course love you, Geoff."
she declared.
He appeared satisfied. His lips
brushed her forehead II know our
love affair has never been one of
those wild. reckless things you
read about in books and see in
movies" he said: "but that sort of
thing isn't real. anyhow. We aren't
that kind of people. are we. Lyn?
We are restrained. well-bred. in
telligent persons who plan our
lives with our heads instead of our
emotions. That's why our marriage
will be success while these others
will be failures. Look at the ex-
ample your grandmother set"
''Yes," Lyn thought. Il have. She
spent her entire life wishing she
had married another mani Is this
quiet, friendly feeling ! have for
Geoff really loDe2 Is it all | will
ever feel? Or will marriage make
difference?"
you're shivering. DEAR" he
b rok in on her disturbing
thoughts. Let me take you In
side"
The evening went merrily on for
everyone but Jocelyn. or SO she
told herself. No matter who her
dancing partner was Tally con-
Stantly and consistently cut in. He
pursued her ardently: he smiled
into her eyes; he chung to her hands
when the music stopped. He be-
haved. to all appearances, as a man
completely enthralled with girl.
"Yet he isn't" Jocelyn thought.
holly resentful. Beneath it all he's
mocking me. laughing at me. en-
ioying the way everyone is talk
ing about US"
Continued tomorrow.
1CopvriOht. 1881