The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-03-09

AClb tCly btLCo. LUZ LAIC WiCCl9 Va
anguish which had raced in her
body, while Petronella spoke on
the telephone before, had stopped.
1t felt strange. It was heaven to
feel so free from them. To be able
to close her eyes, and see the pic
lures of her mind. Petrol seemed
to be on the telephone a long time.
She would harbor her strength for
her. =
"Auntie, do you feel all right?
You look dreadful. Can I get you
some brandy" W '<' >"
mo, my dear. Run and pack.
You'll find some money in the cash
box. About ten pounds. Bring my
check book
Martin Rowdon said"
I'D rather you paid for your
self. You may not want to give any
story. Peter may have been very
foolish. Come back when you're
ready, dear, and say goodby to
me-" She knew, from the way Pet
rel stopped and kissed her fore
head. that she had suspected the
truth. and was afraid. "She has
seen death in my face" she
thought. "But she is not sure that
she has seen it. This shock has has
tened things. Unknowingly, the
children have helped me out. Pm
going to die" Perhaps there might
be other daWns, yet. But not many.
Her beautiful enemy, the dawn,
was nearly done with her. She did
not believe she would ever see
Peter again.
Future And Past
DETRONELLA thought she was
l asleep when she came into the
room to say goo d by. Maisie's
breakfast, on the tray at her side,
was untouched, Her wrinkled face
looked very yellow against her
white pillow. She looked old. If
such a thing were possible, hum
dreds of years old. Had she been
looking like this long, Petrol won
dered sharply. Hadn't she noticed?
Or was it just today? But she
would not let herself wonder too
acutely. If Aunt Maisie were real
ly i'll, she ought to stay. But she
wanted to go. James would be here
in ten minutes. James, who didn't
mind what she said, he was driv-
ing her to Croydon!"
Aunt Maisie opened her eyes,
and smiled at her. She held out her
hand. With a pathetic pretense Of
briskness, she raised herself. stNow
take care of yourself, my dear, and
don't come rushing back on ac-
count of me. You and Peter are the
future, I'm the past. I want you to
make your lives the best way you
can. One of these days." she said
cheerfully, Il shall be really i'll. It
may come quite suddenly. At my
age, life is uncertain. But you
won't feel lost, because you have
each other. Peter was a wild and
naughty boy, when he was small,
and he hasn't changed. But I be-
lieve the world has a special use
for wild people. Life will find use
for him. If it was any good, I'd ask
you to tell him, from me, not to
keep dragging you into his Scrapes.
But l don't believe it is. You're too
willing to CO."
Petrol laughed tenderly at her.
81 certainly can't afford to have
him drag me as far as Germany
very often. It IS much too expen-
sive."
But there was anguish in Pet
ronella's heart. Aunt Maisie be-
lieved that she was going to die.
Not now, of course, but some day,
unexpectedly. These words she
was saying were intended to be re-
membered as her last wishes.
Aunt Maisie lay back. Her brisk
ness had gone. Petrol had never
heard her speak so gently.
"Some day you'll have enough
money to follow Peter. Unless you
find someone else, you two belong
together. The money that has run
the Forest House, as a home for
you, will help perpetuate the spirit
of your home, wherever you may
be. Even in the darkened cities"
She closed her eyes.
What do you mean, the dark
ened cities, darling?p Petrol had
to rouse her. She was curious.
QOi hlH0Wy mdiokG HUT
INJURED. II think I dozed while you
were out of the room. I think I
dreamed it. | seemed to see you
and Peter. and one other in a city
without lights. Everyone was
afraid"
Where was it. what was II
like?" ).
Il don't know. S ON where
abroad. There was a tall sky.
scraper. It was just dream"
"I'm going now, Auntie darling.
Goodby. ] shall telephone James
the moment / have any news, and
he shall bring it to you"
THANK you. That will be nice,
Goodby."
STOPPING, Petrol kissed her fore
head again. She felt dread fear
that this parting might be final. In
her mind, only Aunt Maisie's own
words. "you are the future, I am
the past. You belong togethe1,"
drove her from the room.
Copyright. 1859. Grace Elliott Taylorj