The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-23

4 1lGNC4 W44LG oily tIl4A1s1 Ava AVN AOl1e
and the Daily Nelrs.
The car turned in between un-
painted gate posts, and jerked to q
stop before a ramshacizle looking
old brown bungalow.
Here we are, old girl" A SER
want came running down the steps
and took his baggage.
"The rest are working I expect
I'll see you later .siH 940l9o >
He stood bareheaded, waving to
Petrol, till the car swung out
through the gates. 9s
If it had not been for Peters at
titude towards the future, his de-
sire to escape from Maller's Rice
! Mill at the earliest opportunity,
! Petronella would have allowed
herself to love life in Rangoon. She
was soon accustomed to being con-
sistently bitten. to sleeping under
a mosquito net. 70 the noisy East
ern night. with its croaking. bug
zing, droning, twittering chorus.
Petronella rode, swan. danced,
| played tennis. was invited every
where. She went, wearing her
best dress. and long white gloves.
to Government House, to dance
with men in resplendent uniforms.
Burma lay in the background of
this European social life, like an
attractive drop curtain. Had it not
been for Peter. she might never
have troubled. or wished to peer
behind it. She might have evaded
serious conversations upon the
problems of the country. She might
have discounted the rumors, and
stories she heard. brushing them
aside with uneasy laughter. be-
cause they were. ineonvenient
threats against her pleasure. 1t was
upon a typical Monday evening
that her first real glimpse was
forced upon her.
The Children's Corner
ION MONDAYS they danced at
" the Gymkhana Club before
dinner. She and Peter had formed
what had become termed "the
Children's Corner" This was COM
posed of eight or nine girls, and
twenty or so young men. They
made great deal of noise and en-
ioyed themselves. But the "Chil.
dren's Corner" was unpopular with
Colonel Malone, since none of the
older among Petronella's admirers
i liked a,sea to intrude' to ask her to
Il hope you're coming home to
dinner this evening"" the Colonel
asked. upon this day, petulantly.
"Peter and Colin have asked
Jean and me to eat with them at
the bungalow"
"You go down to that disreputa.
BILE ,chummery of Peters great
deal too often" he exploded ir-
ritably. Peter is only just starting
new job and he ought to get on
with it. He goes out much too
much"
But we do things very cheaply,
always, father, and it doesn't affect
his work"
THAT isn't the only reason I'm
annoyed. and you know it. If you'd
been home, | should have asked
Crampling to dine with us. He told
ME he tried to get dance with you
this evening, but your program
was filled. You're being extremely
stupid. Petronella."
Petrol felt shaken and angry.
1--WE had breakfast with Mr..
Crampling. You're always throw
ing that man at me. He's nice, but
he's too old!" At this moment she
wondered whether she hated, or
loved Burma. Loved it. she sup
posed. most of the time. Until. as
now, all her pride was raised in re-
bellion against it. If only she were
free to live as she pleasedl She
would take job in one of the of
fees. and set Up house with Peter.
She would commit a social offense,
but she would be self-respecting,
free. But it was. unthinkable, fa-
Their said. In Singapore. or in
China, yes. but not in Burma, or
India. He could not allow her to
work. One was never free, when
one was young and dependent,
This scene was a repetition of the
one last week. II did not do any
good flare up. as she had done
last time. To insist that she was
willing to go home. if she failed
to marry before he retired. to earn
her own living. Her challenge only
drew forth ugly warnings of in
evitable failure. which shook her
confidence. in spite afA1erself. Her
father went on: y gRJ
II want you to make friends
with men who :olld afford to sup
port you. I'm not suggesting you
should get MAJ ried. or even en-
gagged yet awhile. You're too
young. But you're getting into the
wrong set. It will land you in a
foolish disastrous ENHANCEMENT. I
can only afford to keep you here,
and entertain for you. for a year
or so. until I retire"
Petronella understood his point
of view. but disliked it. desper-
ately.
81 can't help liking them SO
much better, father, the younger
people. I'm not in love with any,
one"
"well. you can 60 with Peter
tonight, but you must see less Of
them in future" her father grum-
bled. temporarily Modified. ats
for your own good. You're too old
to hang on to your brother as you
do. You should have outgrown
that childish hero worship" Hero
worshipl OF P teri Petronella
could not help smiling.
you're as thick as thieves, the
two of YOU" Poor fatherl y
He was jealous. just as he had
been in England. She was. sorry.
But Peter needed her. he always
had. FL
4fCopyrieht. 1859. Grace Elliott Taylorl