The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-09-06
Chapter Six
Errand Girl

CATURDAY morning Cecily
- awoke in surroundings less
pleasing than those that had met
her eyes the day before but the sky
was as blue, the air as fragrant,
and that was all that Cecily's buoy
ant young spirit needed.
She washed, pouring the water
nom the pitcher into the basin
decorated with morning glories,
and sang while she splashed. She
couldn't get to the beach this
morning because Olivia, Gloria
and their guests were arriving be-
fore lunch and Cecily had prom
ised to see that things ran smooth
ly, as Olivia had put it when Cecily
was departing from New York.
Seeing that they ran smoothly
meant seeing that Tow els, soaps,
powders and cigarettes. new books
and magazines were in all the
guest-rooms. It meant arranging
for wood fires in the hearths and
checking the kerosene lamps and
candles which were used for light
ing. Mrs. Batson had Immediately
found ether duties for herself to
perform when Cecily arrived.
Her tasks completed, Cecily
changed into a fresh frock and
prepared herself for the arrival of
Olivia's party.
They arrived - Olivia and her
secretary and accompaniSt, with
two strange young men who
lounged as though they had no
bones, and a pallid girl whom
Olivia called Daphne-at exactly
one o'clock.
Olivia kissed Cecily lightly on
her cheek and said, "This is my
niece. Cecily Stuart. everybody.
Cecily, my dear, suppose the
telephone ISM connected?"
Cecily said she hadn't been able
70 arrange that before the next
Monday. Olivia looked as though
a major tragedy had occurred. So
did one Of the fiuidlike young men.
Then Glivia's face frightened.
Don't look so stricken, Charles"
she said to the stricken one. "Ce.
CITY drives beautifully, don't you,
dear?" Cecily said nothing. you
see we need Wilson to manage the
trunks and poor deal Charles has
got to send a message to his bro
ker. You won't mind driving to
Machias" - Machias was inland
and an eighteen-mile drive-"to
telephone for him, will you? She's
awfully clever. Charles, and you
can trust her"
Cecily said if her aunt wished
her to drive she would.
Il knew you would. Cecily,
you're going to be more of COM
fort to me than my own child"
Cecily had her doubtA as she
drove to Machias with a message
In her pur5e-a message that had
been written out and handed to
her as if she had been a child.
IL was half-past one when she
left-without any lunch, inciden-
tally-and three o'clock when she
returned. She didn't go back to
the house directly.
Her presence would hardly be
missed. she felt, and she had to
conquer the rebellion that was
rising within her. She drove furi-
Cusly. but for I'll that her foot
pressed the accelerator, it gave
her no release. Strangely enough.
her anger didn't seem to be TO-
eused either on her aunt or on
circumstances. II was at herself.
her helpleSsness in situation that
left her dependent and without
any solution.
All her bright happiness, her
sense of relief, was gone and the
knot had returned to her breast.
She thought of Doug and tried to
find som e comfort in thinking
that. at least. he did not know that
she was unhappy and that he was
getting his chance which was
miracle that should sustain her.
No Books
DARELEA was half-mile away
- from the village and during
her brief stay at VickerSport, Gee
lily had not been down to the viii
lage. As she approached ii on her
return from Machias, she saw that
there was an ice-cream and candy
shop. She brought the car to a
stop.
As she got out of the car she
found that her legs felt weak from
the combination of hunger and
anger.
She bought an ice-cream cone
and two crullers which were sold
at the shop. She took them back to
the car and climbed in. While she
ate them, her curious gaze alb
sorbed the slow panorama of the
New England main street which
was indeed quaint. She finished
and wiped her fingers on her hand
kerchief. Then she got out OF the
car.
She thought: / might as well
enjoy my little sightseeing tour.
- After all. Pm not a prisoner.
She walked along idly with an
sppreciative eye to the clearly, at
tractive presentation of Vickers-
ports business houses. The street
might have been devised for a
stage set, she thought, noting the
one-story bank, the old four
square house which was the town
hall. She looked into the shop win
dows. There was the inevitable
lobster store" spotless and
tempting. There was q depart