The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-10-04

las arm. II wouldn't, Madame
Darrell. Much as we'd like to see
them, / do think they're safer
where they are. After all, one
never knows -
Olivia hesitated, measured
glance for glance with Tony and
1aughe | softly-. "Dear child
They'd be quite safe here. How
ever. | think it would be a bore.
Some other time"
She turned back to the room
and crossed to the piano.
Tony's gaze followed her and
Cecily rose swiftly, intending to
follow an impulse that came to
her.
For once she intended to follow
an impulse without questioning it.
The telephone-there was only
one at Darelea and that an old
| fashioned one that required ring
ing the extension one wanted by
simply turning a handle-was at
the end of the main hall. back Of
the coat closet.
Cecily made her way to it and
picked up the receiver. She twist
ed the handle once slowly, twice
fast. trying to do it gently so that
the echoing tinkle wouldn't be
heard in the drawing-room.
After a little while voice an
swered her. $780,.
"Is this the inn? May l please
speak with Mrs. Atwill? She's
having supper with Miss Dixon.
=. Yes, thank you, I'll wait"
Cecily. waiting for Laura,
couldn't see around at her back.
She heard footsteps come into the
hall and go away again.
Then she heard Laura's voice.
She dropped hers so that she was
speaking barely above a whisper:
Laura, this is Cecily. Mrs.
Brewster has had a detective up
from Boston. must see Locke.
He knows something, I'm sure. I
just have a bunch that there is
something afoot. Do you think it
would be all right for me to go to
his cabin? It's mooniigh: and I'm
not afraid. / want to talk. to, him.
l have a feeling he can clear up
things. -. Yes, that trip of his had
something to do With it, I'm sure.
. .. You will? But should
you? :. a. Oh, it's easy to find.
Yes, straight down the North road
past the Soderson's place. No,
there isn't another place anywhere
along the road. All right, to-
night"
Reasonable Explanation?
CHE rang off, not knowing what
> to do. Laura was right, of
course. Laura should go, not Ce-
oily.
And Laura had promised her
that she would not go alone; she'd
get one of the Calder boys to walk
the lonely road with her.
Cecily stood undetermined for
a minute and then went out into
the hall. She came almost face to
face with Philip.
Il was going to call the drug
store and ask them to send up some
soda, Cecily, but now Iilave bet
ter idea. Why don't we take walk
to the village togetherf haven't
had your pleasant company alone
for a long time"
Cecily's eyes scanned his face
searchingly. Had he heard her
conversation?
Satisfied that he hadn't, she
said. mot tonight, Philip. I've had
hard day and I'm going to turn
in early and read myself tc Sleep"
"Okay, little one. I'll see if one
of the others will go. could do
with a bit of fresh air."
Cecily went back to the draw
ing-room and picked up her
knitting. Mechanically, she lifted
thread over thread, clicking her
needles smartly in time to the
quickening pace of ner thoughts.
Laura, as disinterested Strang-
er, could talk to Locke. demand to
know all about him, explain the
situation and get a reasonable ex-
PLANTATION.
After tomorrow everything
would be all right. And if the ex-
PLANTATION were not reasonable
She thrust the knitting into her
bag and got up. eff you'll excuse
me, l think I'll turn in"
Don't go, Ceci1y. Philip is GO
ing to the village to get some soda.
He's going to make hot punch.
Think how well you'll sleep after
that"
'Tll sleep well enough. now,
Gloria" Cecily yawned extrava-
gantly.
She did sleep. But It was moi
well enough. Troubled dreams and
a troubled conscience haunted
her. She tossed the night away
dreaming that Laura - Door
scared, timid little thing - had
been accosted by a mountain lion
on the road to Locke. She woke
with the subconscious thought
haggling at the edge of her con-
seriousness and was glad for the
daylight which would bring an
end to it.
Cnnt;nuaa &av,.n--o