The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-07-18
Chapter 13
Rose Cornwall


THE woman's tone was fretful
l 1--WE spent hours already to-
day trying to find a decent place
around here. / did want to be
closer to the Surf Club, but the
rents in Santa Monica are posi-
lively outrageous"
Jan preceded her inside, saying,
THE tram cars run up the beach
front every ten minutes or So"
ooh, I've my own car. only
managed a membership in the
Club yesterday. I'm from the
east" she added, following Jan up
the staircase.
At the top of the stairway Jan
remembered she hadn't told Derek
she intended renting his room.
Well, it couldn't be helped now.
This morning she had cleaned and
Strengthened the room and he had
no clothes except those he wore.
His razor, comb and toothbrush
were in the bathroom.
It was a nice room, she reflected
in satisfaction as she pushed open
the door and lifted the window
shades triie. Not large. but
tastefully furnished with a blue
carpet, blue-covered chairs, and a
modern style walnut bed. dressing
table and chest of drawers. The
curtains were fioor-length. white.
ruff1y and crisp.
slow much?" the woman asked
with a sigh. ct looks terribly
good to me-"
Give dollars week. I'd like a
month in advance, though, if you
decide to take it. We prefer hav-
ing someone fairly permanent. It's
q bother having people move in
and out The other two roomerS
have been here since last fall. One
Of them, Johnny Benton, plays
trumpet in the orchestra at the
Surf Club"
"And the other?"
"A girl. A school teacher here"
The woman laughed. her petu-
lance vanishing. "a swing must
clan and a school teacher! And
now me. Oh, yes, I'll take the
room and get my bags from my
car. It's in a parking lot back a
few blocks. / don't suppose you
have garage? No? Well, didn't
expect it. Oh, my name is Rose
Cornwall. Mrs. Cornwall. Don't
look so puzzled. my dear. | was
laughing at the mixture of breeds
you'll have with my coming. I'm
a very recent divorce, q la Reno.
Unfortunately / must choose be-
tween cheap rents or cheap clothes,
so choose cheap rent What shall
! call you? And surely you don't
live here alone? / mean"
Jan replied with quiet dignity,
Il am Jan Merriner. My brother
and / own this place together.
nearly forgot to mention we have
no telephone. Scarcely anyone has
one down here"
"Then how do you manage? {
mean friends. business"
Penny postcards. or kilograms
for emergencies. There's a public
telephone at the corner drug
store"
'Pll make out. I'll not find any.
thing like this for the money you
ask"
Would you like me to help with
your luggage, Mrs. Cornwali?"
Jan asked. We've a lack of men
this afternoon. You can drive your
car down that side street Just
above here and park it long
enough to unload I'll come with
you, if you prefer"
"A Rich Husband
DOSE CORVALLIS car resem-
N bled its owner. 1t was smooth.
bright. expensive-looking. modiSh-
ly lacquered.
TITS relic of my days of lux
ury, really" Rose told Jan as they
rolled out of the parking lot and
on through narrow streets to the
beach front Il salvaged all could
in things because, recession and
all, / wasn't awarded much ali
mony. l can manage well enough,
though. I've known lean DAYS
when / learned to spread money
thin and where it does the most
good"
"A Surf Club membership
comes high" Jan observed, rather
liking the frank. breezy manner
OF the older girl
"A thousand dollars. But I'm
gambling you see, tossing it in the
field as a stake to make more"
Perceiving JAMS bewildered look.
she explained careleSSly. "a rich
husband, my dear. You have to
meet the eligible men in order to
get 'em!"
Her bluntneSS astounded Jan.
Turning little in the low, cream
leather seat. she looked closer at
Rose Cornwall. Stunning, she
thought From beneath the daring
brim of soft, white felt crept silky
tendrilS Of black hair to stray
against a skin which was white
and soft and delicately made I'D.
Her eyes were hazel, large and
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