The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-07-05

cake with loads Of whipped cream
on itl''
He reached for her small brown
hand and held it a moment
against his thin cheek. You're
so good, Sis. / don't know how
you put up with nae. Pm sorry
about the outburst. Now run
along and see how your salvaged
goods is doing and send Frank
In to help me downstairs. I'll go
out in the kitchen and annoy
Norma"
Not Grateful
THANKFUL to Lance for not
L questioning further, Jan left
him and met Frank in the hall
way just coming out of the
strangers room. How is hep"
she asked.
He'll be all right by tomor-
row. rubbed him hard, bundled
him up and poured big shot of
brandy down his throat"
did he say anything"
mo. Conscious, though. Jan, he
didn't go in off the beach out
here. He must have swum down
from quite ways up the ceast. I
didn't even see him. Think he
might have been attempting sui
cide?"
81 wouldn't know" she said
briskly. Help Lance downstairs,
Frank. And if you don't have a
date tonight, stay for dinner. It's
fried chicken and strawberry
shortcake."
sd break date for that" he
grinned. Say, what about clothes
for that bird in there?"
I'll dig up something of
Lance's."
Say, that guy is easily six feet
two or three. Lance's stuff won't
fit him and neither will mine"
"One worry at a time" she said,
showing him toward the opposite
door.
The man looked at her as she
came in and closed the door. Only
his head protruded from the heap
of bed covers. His hair, almost
dry now, glinted bright copper in
the light. His skin, though drained
of color from his long soaking,
was tanned and lightly freckled.
His eyes. black and bitter and
satiric, fascinated her.
Gosh, you're little" he said.
You must have the strength of
an Amazon"
I'm Jan Merriner," she said.
'How do you fe6l now? Better?"
Don't start asking questions,
for / have no intention of telling
you anything" he said. 81 didn't
ask to be rescued, but now that
| am | shall probably never
again find the courage and the
proper frame of mind to attempt
dying. I'm not the least bit CRATE
full to you. ! wanted to die. I'm
an adult of sane, reasoning mind.
I know the difference between
right and wrong. | failed to do
what wished to do with my life
and decided to end it. | do not
feel in the least cowardly about
it. so kindly refrain from preach
ing. His voice, spent and tired,
dwindled TO whisper.
Surprise held her speeches. a
moment. His voice was cultured,
perfectly controlled: his enuncia-
ton was slurring enough to be
enchanting. He seemed, obvious
ly, gentleman.
you're young and very good
looking" she stated frankly.
Won't someone be searching for
your"
Women and their hateful prob
ing curiosity!" he muttered. "Tll
tell you nothing. I'm only thank
fal you aren't beautiful. couldn't
stand that"
His eyes closed and he turned
his head away from her. "rll
bring you some food the minute
it's ready" she said, and went
out.
Before going downstairs, she
went into her own bedroom and
looked at herself in the full
length mirror. So he was glad
she wasn't beautiful Observing
her image, she laughed with gen.
uine merriment. She did look a
mess. Her taffy-colored hair, sun
bleached to varying shades. was