The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-10-09


sort of a girl do you think l am?
Then To tell him the truth
at. sounds easy enough, Ceci!y
but it isn't" Laura was saying
you seem to forget that I cam
tell Donald my more than l car
tell YOU"
"Ohp Cecily groaned.
A little later she said determin-
edly, Well show Mr.. Heming-
wayl You're coming to the dance
without him. We've two extra
men to stay at our place. The
Penny twins are coming and DR.
Kettering. Aunt Olivia's pet ply
stefan, and a man named Frank
Smith will be there. They'll be
delighted to have you"
That's sweet of you, Cecily, but
I'm afraid not"
The lance was on Saturday. II
had been Wednesday when Dom
aid told Laura that he had to &c
away on business. On Friday
Cecily asked Laura if she would
change her mind.
Laura had looked panied tc
have to refuse but she had beer
adamant.
| Then, Saturday morning, Laura
had gone to the post-office for the
mail, bringing then joint mai
back in bundle. Cecily took the
bunch of, letters, saw that there
was one from Doug, three or -four
for the shop, and one for Laura
the latter addressed in a strong
masculine handwriting.
She passed them on to Laura
and slit the fat, stuffed envelope
of Doug's letter.
Doug was coming homel She
SKINNED the lines first to get that
news, then she read his almost un-
readable scrawl slowly, page by
page.
"Doug's coming home" she an
nounced, looking up.
Laura said, is he? How nicer
Her head was bent over her letter
IF your invitation still holds good
/ think I'll accept it. I've I've
changed my mind about the
dance"
Grand"
Laura tore her letter into in
finitesimal pieces and scattered
them on the burning hearth.
Then that wasn't er
Donald isn't coming :. ?"
THAT wasn't from Donald
| Laura said.
The Dance
TONY RICHARDSON looked al
1 herself in Glori s long mirror
She smoothed the fiat folds of her
green satin frock over her slim
hips. "I'll do" she said, and added
magnanimously, Well all do. We
ought to be the bellies of the ball."
The girls-Tony, Gloria, Cecily
and Laura-were gathered in
Gloria'S bedroom getting their
wraps on.
Tony's guess wasn't far wrong
The four of them were lovely to
look at. Tony herself, slim reed
in a. sheath of pale green satin.
Gloria had chosen a picture frock
of rich fuchsia with billoWing
skirt and stiff, puffed sleeves
Cecily was flame in her red
gown Laura had taken on a new
beauty with the pallor of her skin
dramatized by her cap of dark
hair, the hrilliance of her tur-
quoise frock.
Well" Tony said, looking al
the pearls which Gloria clasped
about her taroat, eff we're going
in for show. I'll break out with a
bracelet if you're sure l won't be
spreading it on too thick"
She clasped a wide diamond
bracelet on her slim wrist.
You won't" Gloria said patty.
THE place will be a-glit.er. Good
Lord . it's after nine! Let's all
get moving It's the las. party of
the season and we might as well
make the most of it."
Cecily said, "I'll get my polo
coat"
Cecily, Fony and Laura with
the Penny twins and DR.. Kettering
drove down to the Yacht Club in
the doctors sedan.
The dance had already started.
Through the trees they could see
the windows of the Yacht Club
smlllng yefrow welcome from
every window. The loud, merry
music wakened the night as they
swung the car off the main road
and drove through the ree-bor-
dered road that wound round to
the front of the clubhouse.
Philip stood on the veranda
waiting for them. He did look at
tractive in his white mess jacket.
Cecily thought. He was by far the
most attractive man on their party.
He opened the door. First dance
with my girl" he said, giving
Cecily a gallant hand.
do you mind if / take off my
coat?" she laughed.
Don't be long The music is
good" he said.
The girls crossed the floor to the
dreSsing-room. Cecily paused at
the door and took a sweeping, APP
preciative glance at the main
lounge where the floor was
cleared for dane. lg.
"Now, aren't you glad you
Gamer" she said to Laura. "This is
your handiwork and it does look
beautifull'
Laura didn't say anything.
what, by the way, did make
you change your mind?" Cecily
asked.
I.aura's mouth closed firhtlu