The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-08-14
Chapter 36
Derek Awakes

offered her his arm with grave
courtesy and led her inside.
II wish" he told her when the
Lights permitted him TO look into
her young. sad face, shat son OF
mine would have. enough sense to
marrysa girl like you"
She thought, 81 don't care about
his sense orshis cents. if" On. she
was being foolish again. Derek
liked her well enough, no doubt,
he was even very grateful to her,
she surmised. But love2 No. He
had his music to love. and Lenore.
Lenore came into the room with
him, her long crimson nails bright
against the black cloth of his eve
ming coat. She wore a mink cape.
huge white orchids pinned to the
shoulder, over a sheath Of crimson
satin the exact color of her nail
polish. Her f1ower-like face was
upturned rapturously to Derek's.
She'll get him." Jan thought
sickly. "She had him once and
she'll have him againi Rose was
right when she said She has
what it takes"
Which premise was borne out
as the evening progressed. For
Derek no sooner finished greeting
his guests, rather IGNORES, than
she pleaded he play for them
'ttone, Of your own beautiful COM
positions, darling"
Derek declined. brusquely. Jan,
brought close to him by MS father,
observed the familiar, violent look
on his face. His meeting with his
mother could not have been
happy, she thought pityingly. But
he frightened a little when he
took JAMS hands and said: "Pm
sorry / couldn't pick you up"
Lenore appeared startled. why,
Ricky," she reproached, why
didn't you tell me we were sup
posed to call for Miss Merriner?
We could have taken her to the
boat with us" She turned a bril-
liant smile on Jan. "The Countess
is so charmingl I'm giving d tea
for her day after tomorrow and
you must come, my dear" she
said.
Derek's father grunted audibly.
"How is your mother. Derek?" he
asked.
Looking about twenty-five, +"
Derek said "The Count is with
her. see you've met Jan"
II have. And I like her." said
the elder Knowles on a note Of
challenge to Lenore. 81 want to
meet that brother of hers when
he's convalescent."
Eyes" Jan put in hurriedly, 81
must leave here very early,
Derek. ! promised Lance I'd be
at.the hospital before eight in the
morning"
"Tn cali you around noon, "
Derek said, genuine sympathy in
his deep voice. rs there anything
7 can do for him or for your"
Just then a dark-haired girl
linked her arm through IGNORES
and peered in establishment at
Jan. "Pve seen you before" she
asserted. This Summer-Los An
geles-I have it! You were sketch
ing portraits in a quaint Mexican
street, Fifty cents for a picture in
fifteen minutes, wasn't it? It must
have been just too amuSing!"
I'll Pay You
EVERYONE within earshot was
II looking and listening, Jan OBJ
served. She replied quietly, 1T
took me twenty minutes and il
wasn't particularly amusing. I did
it. for a living. I worked there
most OF the summer"
Good for you" Derek said. I'll
wager you picked up some valu-
able experience" He beamed upon
her pridefully. much to IGNORES
not quite concealed annoyance.
She said, swiftly, sWeetly, to
Jan: 'Then perhaps you would
bring along your crayonS. pencils,
or whatever it is you use and
sketch some portraits at my tea
for the Countess. I'll pay you
well, of course"
Derek frowned. but Jan, her
lips Tightening, said: Thank you.
/ shall be glad to help entertain
your guests"
'1n costume, of course?" Lenore
prodded.
"AS you wish"
The awkward moment lasted
until Lenore bore Derek away to
the next room.
He looked back over his Shout
der at Jan and made a frightful
face.
"She usually gets her way" said
Gregory Knowles. He patted JAMS
shoulder. Never mind her, my
dear. Would you favor a willing
but somewhat rusty old man with
q dancer"
The ballroom. she found. was
downstairs, a long, bare room
with polished floor, a small or
chestra at one end. a scattering of
chairs at the sides.
IT" said Gregory Knowles as
they waltzed, q were twenty
years younger I'd court you my
self, Miss Merrinerl"
Upstairs Lenore tugged Derek
cut on the veranda, determined
to utilize the obliging moon. the
semi-darkness. the heavy perfume
OF flowers from the garden be-
yond. to bring about a proposal
or marriage. Her silvery voice ca
ressed him. breaking a little as
she murmured, ''Ricky, I've been
such q fool. We all were. ! mean
about your music. You are a gen.
nus, a great composer and we were
50 unfortunately stupid about it.
And Ronnie-wel, ! told you he
was just a romantic interlude.
You must understand, Ricky.
These last months ! learned how
much you mean to me. ! love you