The Key West citizen., 1939-11-29
Chapter Nine
Invitation To Bridge

nSiLatlOn 10 Bridge
MICHAEL had crumpled that
tEA paper in his hand slowly, as
II unconcerned; and neither of the
girls had seen the telltale stain.
That the rusty dark pattern was
made by blood he had not the
slightest doubt; and, as he lay
awake In the early morning hours
there had come to him a strange
picture. The picture of a man,
seated at the big desk, shaded
lamp throwing the light on the
papers before him; of the open
drawer holding his pencils at his
right hand. Of something coming
out OF the shadows there behind
him something . the pipe
had dropped from nerveless fin
gers into the open drawer; the
hand in agony had grasped and
crushed the corner of the news
paper lying there.
But was it a true picture? II it
was, if it had been Murchison's
hand that had left bloody stains
on the paper, where had the blood
come from? And if if a mur-
derous hand had left the stains,
how had it clutched and left the
paper?
Michaeps face when he came to
the breakfast table next morning
betrayed nothing but the quietest
mind. Murder, he had decided,
was not to lie within the con-
sciouSness of his wife-if he could
help it. Not that she had not wit
messed it before now: but, of
course, she had not been his wife
then, and ne had not been respon-
sible for her.
The little breakfast room was
bright with sun.
Its queer" said Tuck, pouring
out the coffee. shat Charlotte Jean
didn't hear the commotion last
night and come down, curl papers
and all. She sleeps right above the
kitchen. / don't see how she could
have helped hearing it."
did you ask herr" Michael
looked up from his toast.
"No. | thought if she didn't hear
IL. il might be as well to leave her
in ignorance. after what Gordon
said about maids and burglars.
Michael Tuck demanded. what
did he mean? About burglars?"
Michael considered. "He doesn't
know anything. Tuck. | imagine
he's been reading mystery stories
or listening to some ignorant
maid"
"He looks like bright young
ste:." Bunny murmured.
Charlotte Jean, immaculate in
blue and white. her sparse hair
crinkly beneath her cap. came in
with a tray. ITS the mail. Mrs.
Forester, ma'am." she explained.
holding il out to Tuck.
"Oh. Thank you. Charlotte
Jean. Tuck murmured, taking
the envelopes absorbedly.
Michael buttered another piece
Of toast. How do you like it out
here in the country, Charlotte
Jean?" he asked her.
Her broad face spread into an
e%p3nsive smile. "It's Just swell,
Mr. Forester" she replied. II like
il fine IT'S so nice and quiet"
Don't you find it lonely?"
"Oh. no. was raised on a farm.
There's a lot of people around
here" She blushed under Mi
chaels scrutiny. Il get awful tired
of them fool girls in town. she
went on hastily. "All they ever
think about is shopping at the ten
cent store and going to the NOV
les" She mode her exit Michael
cooked reflective eye after her
Uncanny Luck
IT'S the gardener" Tuck said
4 abs2ntly. her eyes still on the
letter in her hand. you might
know it,"
Tough. Well probably lose
her. Is he the only man around?"
Apparently. But don't worry
she'll find some more. It's letter
from Mrs Deane," she went on.
without a pause. Bunny looked at
her frowningly until she under
stood. Michael pulled one ear as
he thought it over. Tuck went
right on. "She wants us to 60 over
and spend the evening"
Tonight"
"Umhm."
do we go?"
She looked up at him and low
cred her tone. ITS so lucky for us
it's almost uncanny," she said. Il
almost believe your fathers had
his finger in this pie. too. Listen to
what she says. -.
I hope you'll excuse the
haste and informality of the
invitation, but / thought it
would be nice for you to meet
your neighborS, and so have
asked three tables for tonight,
just the people on the campus
and Duncan Murchison to
make the twelfth. Please tell
your husband it's only dinner
jackets. quite informal, and !
do hope you can come. m
'THree tables?" Michael in
esTfra4 fIankIv