The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-04-03

4
the captive man made a sudden
wild break. Dodging and twisting,
so that he left half his coat in his
captors hands. he sprang or to the
moving step. He was close to
Petrol. She met his dark, desper.
ate eyes. She started towards the
next door, intending, inctively,
to help him. But a volley of shots
spattered against the coach. He
fell. It was better like that, she
realized. To be shot down, hoping
to escape, with your eyes filled by
vision of the free hills, of the
village where the peasants would
have given him food. of the shay
gy pony. or mule that would have
carried him to safety. 1t was
better to die suddenly, than go
through the suspense of imprison-
ment. the brutality of questioning.
the hopeleSsness of trial
Behind her, Petronella heard the
door open, and a deep, cheerful
voice spoke her name.
'fPetrel!"
She started. turned. She gave a
glad. amazed cry. HPeterl"
There he stood, small. sandy.
\ beaming. his arms held out to her.
lShe flung herself into them. "Pe-
ter. how lovely!"
Behind him, in the corridor,
stood Tony. HE has come" she
thought To him she held out her
hand. She did not dare to look at
him. above Peters hard shoulder.
She could only wait. But Tony's
nand gripped hers,
ats overwhelming to see you,
Peter. Last week, ! thought !
never should. again."
Poor old darlingI I'm desper.
/ ately sorry you had such a scare.
How is Marigold?" his voice deep
ened.
We'll! I've got { letter for you"
What's The Idea?'
Gee here. nay sweet, Madrid is
a spot most people are leav-
ing just now, if they have the
chance. What is the idea?"
Petronella took his arm. She had
simply an overpowering wish to
see him, she leased. Wasn't that
good enough? And Martin Row.
don was complaining of his pune
tuation. since he lost his secretary.
Peter retorted. with equal face
tiousneSs. They could not talk in
front Of three strangers
"What is the state of the city,"
asked the corporal.
Tony answered him. "Unpleas-
ant. You will probably arrive in
an air raid. By day shells fall In
1.-THE streets. There are daylight at
lacks. Incendiary bombs drop like
lhai.5tones."
KNOWING Madrid as it used to
be: it's so surprising" Peter told
i gruous as if someone dropped a
bUmb IN Regent Street, on Satur-
day morning. But you soon forget
/ 20 think: This can't happen here.
1t does happen People run, gasp
ing, from eone street to another.
and can't think of anywhere to
! hide You'll have to go to the En-
baSsv. till you can leave again. IL
won't be comfortable Something
like two hundred and fifty people
I sleeping IN lines, on mattresses,
and feeding in shifts. But you'll
be safer there. Talking of food.
my dear. are you hungry? Peter
| gave them she opportunity they
wanted. II remembered there was
no restaurant car. and bought
some athletic looking chickens
legs Suppose we stand in the cor
rider anC gnaw them?"
"A lovely idea."
They all three went out to-
gether. They stood with their
backs against the compartment.
.PetroneIla stood between Peter
and Tony Peter tucked one of her
arms through his.
Never mind about the picnic
for a moment. want you to ex-
plain Yourself, girl. What is all
this?"
Tony did not follow his exam
pie. He was still puzzled by her
presence. She could feel the taut-
ness OF hi. arm which touched her
SHOULDER.
Last week 1t became impos-
sible. waiting quietlyIin Ballfield.
Perhaps for the news you'd both
been killed. 4 went &c town. met
Glare Horton at Victoria Station"
Glare Hortoni" Tony sounded as
though. already. he understood.
"She has been i'll. But she want
ed to come to Spain to establish
a camp for refugee children, near
| Madrid. She asked me to do il for
her"
Nov I understand" Peter
sounded relieved. I'VE may be
able to help you. But I'd really
rather do il myself. than risk your
staying in Madrid, Petrol ] mean
/ can't imagine what James had
to say about it. Perhaps he doesn'i
realize what Madrid is like, what
first hand war you'll see? But Il
anything happens to you, he'll
blame me. Glad as I am that this
brought you out to see us"
Yes. James did try to stop me
But not for his sake. For mine.
Petronella's voice was uncertain
but she knew that she must tel
the truth. Tony was looking down
} at her. She raised her head and
J met his eyes in the half darkness
They gave her the courage she
| needed. For she knew, aNothine
IS changed. He loves me-"
fcoSsri0ht. 1888 Grace Elliott Fdpiorj