The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-07-11

| Il wouldn't put il past him to
use my toothbrush" that young
man declared. What can you ex-
pect?"
"Just what do you erpect?"
Derek questioned. neatly popping
a suceulent bit of fish into his
mouth.
Johnny stamped out, his shouI-
ders rigid in the tight, pin
striped coat of light gray. You
mustn't bait him like that" Jan
chided Derek- He's a good friend
also paying guest"
Il see. And as yet | am neither"
There was laughter behind his
eyes; lurking, miSchievous mirth
Neptune relieved the strain by.
rising up on his hind feet and
batting JAMS elbow. A mournful
pleading howl emerged from his
pink throat. you spoiled dar-
ling" Jan said, putting some fish
IN a saucer and setting it on the
floor for him.
Derek watched her, a glow.
arising from the excellent food
he'd consumed, suffusing his lean
length. He decided he liked eat
ing in kitchen At any rate, this
kitchen. The walls were painted
ivory. the woodwork light green
and the crisp. ruffled window
curtains were daffodn yellow
with green borders. He thought
it likely Jan had painted it her
self. She was, without doubt, the
most competent young person
he'd ever known.
Voicing his d iration, he
asked. How old are you. Jan?
And do you realize you're most
remarkable person? Is Jan short
for Janet?"
Lance answered. She's twenty.
she's truly remarkable, and she's
named after the best Norwegian
cook Dad ever had on the Singa-
pore Moon"
Sorry Knight
81 AIN not" she contradicted,
L flushing, I'm named from the
abbreviation of January because
the calendar was the first thing
Mother saw after l was borni"
Anyhow" Lance went on.
Mother named me after the gal
liant knight. Lancelot. I'm glad
she doesn't know what a sorry
knight turned out"
Norma reach ed over and
squeezed his thin. nervous hand
You're Drawer than Lanceloi
and King Arthur put togetherI"
"Oh, this is a lot of rubbish" he
said In irritation. 81 wish Frank
would come and take me upstairs
l don't like it down here. it de
presses me-"
'Tn take you upstairs" Derek
offered
Lance seemed to shrink in upon
himself hating. Jan knew. this
kindly meant offer which only
drove home his helpleSSness. A
proud man. continually erecting
defences against pity from others
he would suffer no one 10 touch
him but Frank and Jan By deter
mined practice he now could
manage most everything for him
self; bathing, dressing, shaving
moving from the bed to the chair
dragging his helpless limbs like ST
much dead weight.
Il should have warned Derek.
Jan thought. 81 can't tell him nov
In front of Lance"
The pause grew increasingly
awkward as Derek looked around
the table at perturbed faces. Lance
finally said. Thanks. but | CUES
it was just a mood. I'd really like
TO stay down a while longer. VIII
you play some Chopin for me
JAM"
Her eyes turned invoIuntarily tC
Derek who rose from the table. Il:
you'll lend me a sweater. I'll walk.
he declared, adding under his
breath. "Chopinl can't bear him
Jan, hearing him. becoming an
noyed and curious, said: Il DON
have to play Chopin Whom do you
PREFER"
His undiSciplined. far too senSl
tive mouth set into harsh line y
prefer not hearing anything. so TT
walk"
When the door closed after him
Lance frowned. He needn't have
been rude about il. Why do you
want TO keep him here. Jan? We
don't know anything about him Il
he's honest and has nothing shame
full to hide, why doesn't he speak
up and tell who he is? / don't like
il There's something queer about
him"
Il like mysteries" Jan coun-
tered lightly. "And now that one
has landed on my doorstep. so to
speak, I'm going to hang on to il
until ! solve ii"
Il hope the mystery won't turn
out to be a Pandora's Box or Blue
boards Closet" Norma murmured.
really concerned. for she realized
Lance. with the best of intention.
had successfully put Jan on the
defensive. and woman on the de-
fensive is not apt TO be very "a
tional.
To make matters even worse.
Lance now grumbled. Il think it's
his damnable good looks that ap-
peal to her. He's q remarkably
handsome chap. too handsome
I'll wager women have thrown
themselves at him more than
once. Jan. wish you'd tell him to
clear out I'm afraid"
THAT I'll fall in love with
hirn?" she leased. No danger, my
two solicitous darlings."
i