The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-18

CdIIlG SuIIlIIIGT 1OI IleI. buL IL Was
exactly what Peter wanted.
''Talk of the DEVIL" said James.
Here's your adversary" It was
Tony Lance, looking very impress
sive in his light blue blazer. He
was tall, dark, tawny eyed. There
was something hard about his long
featured, handsome face, Petron-
ella thought. He looked intelligent,
but reserved, critical. But the next
moment she was being introduced
to him. He smiled.
"How do you do" For a moment,
which seemed long, his unusual
eyes met hers. But when he turned
away she knew he had scarcely no.
ticed her. She wished she were
years older, beautiful and wearing
frills, frills. If only she could have
held his attention.
Peter made his century. .
Sometimes fate moves forwards
by way of disappointments. Petrol
helped plan, and pack the two
bulky, adventurous looking ruck-
sacks.
She and her father watched the
ship move slowly away from the
quay. It was half dark, strange as
a dream. There was a smell of sea-
weed, and the portfolios were gold
en- light. Suddenly Petrol started.
That man, standing on the first
class decki Something about the
casual, brooding way he leaned on
the rail was instantly familiar.
Tony Lance! She remembered him.
Hes journalist. He's with the
Daily News. He speaks four Ian
guages. He's going abroad again"
A light caught his face. In that
moment, Petronella knew. She
stood staring, forgetting to wave
and shout to the boys. How could
she feel so certain? The words
were in her mind. 'He is part of
my life! I'll meet him again. / can't
help it!'
Father asked, whats the mat
ter, Petrel?" Nothing" she said.
They watched till the ship passed
through the dark arm of the har-
Dor entrance. Petrol was trem-
bling. Where was he going? Would
the boys make friends with him?
When would she meet him again?
New Scheme
TOR Petronella, the next year at
l. school was successful, yet UNI
eventful. For Peter it was unsuc-
cessful, but crowded with life.
"Unless he settles to something
soon," wrote father, "he will form
the habit Of aimless drifting. I'm
less this latest car selling stunt
turns out to be good thing, | shall
insist upon him going into Maller's
Rice Company" ~
Iz Petronella had this letter in her
bag, as the train bore her home
from school for the last time. Poor
Peterl He was never discharged.
He always fired himself. For some
thing new. He had worked his pas
sage both ways across the Allan
tic; he was the only novice to sell
ten vacuum cleaners in fortnight.
He was brilliant, but he never took
root. He would meet her In mo.
ment, when the train reached Pad
dington station.
II want to meet your marvellous
brother, said her friend Marigold.
Petrol smiled at her bright, lovely
face. How simple life was for some
people! If only father were easy
going, like Marigold Earnshaw's
parents. Then, neither she nor
Peter would have to think Seri-
ously of their future" She would
not feel trapped, as she did. Father
was determined she should come
out to Rangoon this September.
Peter met her, looking shabby
you're excited" said Petron-
ella. .'What is it?" Ieas
/. This was something new in
Reter. asnaEgaafs aeatp
s'Pve decided to become jour
nalisti Remember that notebook
I used to keep, as a kid? I've got
the right kind of mind. Petrol. I'm
curious. Once I know about a
thing, / 60 on to something else.
Although you don't make use OF
it. you're always looking for copyP
she cried. 'Peter, believe you're
right at lasti If necessary, this IS
going to be flaming rebellion
against Father, rice milling. every
thing"
Copyright. 1889. Grace Elliot TaylOrJ