The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-22
Chapter II
A Party


A Party
AIOLA suggested. Lets throw a
- huge party tonight. Impromptu
affairs are always more fun. Let's
get on the telephones and call
everyone we know in Santa Bar
bara."
But" Thorn began.
sSilenceis Nola commanded. 81
want q party. If you insist, I'll be
the hostess and assume full charge;
but a party I'm going to have and
that's thafp
@All right Thorn assented.
suit you, Lyn?"
-All right by nae. The servants
viii have fit, though"
Then order caterers from
town." Nola said.
Thorn flushed. "We really can't
afford the extra expense. You see,
so far we've been living on our
stock dividends. Grandmother left
us forty thousand in secure stocks
and bonds, but even good divi-
dends from that amount is no for
tune. We're far from being rich,
Nola."
"Oh. | didn't know, Of course. !"
A constrained silence gripped
all Of them for a few minutes.
Finally Nola asserted: "I've just
about completed negotiations for
giving away ten million dollars 70
the government toward re-for-
estatlon.
"Why-that's a splendid idea,p
Thorn exclaimed. However did
you arrive at it,"
"Oh, with the help of lawyer
friend"
Jocelyn felt sure she meant
Tally and hoped, for Thorn'S peace
Of mind, Nola would never divulge
the lawyers identity.
Anyhow" Nola went on, "the
point is this-if can give the gov
eminent ten million, | guess can
give my hosts and their friends
party"
Thorn's eyes, appealing and mis-
cradle, met Jocelyn's.
You'll do no such a thing"
Jocelyn declared. you're our
guest. Besides, | haven't played
hostess for a long time. Our SER
wants will make out very, well.
Come on, all of you, and get busy
on the telephohesl Be sure and
cffer midnight swimming"
People literally swarmed over
the right division of Seacliff that
evening. Both the piano and the
radio were going full blast; the
drawing room was crowded with
d an C r s; the swimming pool
splashed with swimmers: the ter
race echoed with the shouts and
laughter of couples playing chill
dren's games and deriving hilari-
Gus fun from them. Joeelyn, think
ing il was such a very nice party,
was puzzled when, little past
midnight, Humphreys told her
Tally was on the porch asking for
her.
Tell him to come in" she adj
vised.
HE says will you please come
out on the porch, Miss Jocelyn, for
he is not dressed for a party
Making an excuse to her dane
Ing partner Jocelyn found Tally
leaning against a stone balustrade.
He was attired in his working
cl' thes: his hair tousled and tum-
bling over bis forehead.
"Hello-did you want to see
me7p
yes" His voice was brusque.
Il don't like to spoil your fun but
none Of us can sleep with so much
noise going on. Betsy has nearly
driven Mother crazy, and have
20 be up at sunrise"
Unwanted Guest
sOH-I didn't realize. I'm really
" sorry" she said sincerely.
sIu turn down the radio and feed
everyone. That usually q uiets
them. Pm sure we won't give you
any more trouble"
HThank you. I'll try to get some
sleep. Good night"
Before she could say anything
further he had disappeared into
the shadows around the corner OF
the house. For q few minutes she
remained where she was, her
thoughts strangely depressing.
Then, with a shrug, she went back
into the drawing-room, crossed to
the radio and turned 1t lower.
Going into the kitchen she gave
orders for serving the buffet sup
per on the great oak table in the
dining-room.
When she returned to the party
another guest had arrived; an UNI
wanted and unbidden guest; old
Talbot Mack.
Already some prankster had en-
sconced him in a comfortably cush-
ioned chair and had collected a
group Of listeners who encour-I
aged him to relate his more color
fnl adventures on the Seventy
Seas"
Gramp, spying Jocelyn, hesi-
tated. A wistful expression crept
into his discerning old eyes. 7
hope you don't mind me comm
into your party this-away, Josie. "
he apologized. 81 heard laughin'
and music and IL seemed like jest
couldn't stay away - its been So
burned long since I went a-par-|
tyin'-"
Bob Russell crossed the room
with swift strides and laid q re-
assuring hand on the old mans
stopped shoulders. aOf course she