The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-06-28
[1I 2ll7la3


VI
fellow begin to figure whether he
can pay for the diamond outright,
or on the installment plan. Beats
me how old Mac can resist herl"
It bewildered Brenda a little,
too. When she took the trouble to
be what she called sweet" to any
man, she was accustomed to get
results; usually more rapid and
decisive results than she had
planned or desired. Since Mac APP
peared either Indifferent to her
kindness. or stolidly unaffected by
it. she redoubled her efforts.
One evening when he was
struggling himself into his coat in
the hall, preparing TO return TO
the Office for some extra work,
she came close to him, and put
one small hand on his arm
MAC, dear. wouldn't you feel
better if you talked about it,"
she asked.
He looked down into the soft
dark eyes. the gentle cu1ves OF her
mouth.
NO" he said grufay. Its the
last thing on earth ! want to dis
cuSs with-anybody-"
But perhaps II isn't as bad as
you think. Macl Perhaps If you
said frankly and honestly that
you"
To her establishment he shook
her hand from his arm; not ruchely
but as if it had become intolerably
heavy for him to support. His
voice was harsh with misery when
he spoke.
Not while I'm in my right
mindI Get that through your head
this minute. Brendai"
She was not offended, she was
more than ever troubled for him.
She clasped the rejected hand in
its mate and her head dropped a
little.
"Oh. Mac dear, I'd give any,
thing if this-this hadn't hap
pened, And perhaps it won't hap
pen! Perhaps you"
He strobe to the door. With his
hand on the knob he said, still In
that strange harsh voice: you're
dead right it won't happen, Bren-
daI I've made up my mind it shall
mott"
I'll Be Seeing You
MAC had left The Shortest
M Street,
Two days after his talk with
Brenda he had shut himself up
with Adelaide for fifteen minutes
talk. When they emerged from
the library. Adelaide's eyes were
a trifie red, Mac looked more un-
happy than ever. He was busy in
his room all evening. and at
breakfast the next day he an
nounced quietly that he was NOV
ing. Downtown - nearer the Of
fee"
Only Isobel exclaimed over the
news. Eric shot the other man a
quick look, Adelaide made no
comment, Brenda, diStrusting her
own voice. looked blindly down
al her plate.
Permanently, Mac?" This was
Isobel. Surely not permanently
Just while the spring work is so
heavy and you have to work so
often evenings"
Permanently, I'm afraid" he
said, throwing Adelaide a glance
that was oddly imploring.
"rve told Mac I think he's wise
in moving" came Mrs. Rosttetor's
gentle voice. "Of course well all
miss him terribly. but we mustn't
be selfish. It viii save HMM
lots Of ways-to be closer to the
office"
"And I'll be seeing you frequen-
ly," Mac added. He rose and shook
hands briskly all around. TN
send for my stuff today, Adelaide.
Got to hurry now!" And incredi-
bly, he was gone.
Brenda sat as If stunned. Things
must be in a bad way indeed II
Mac could so desert Adelaide. She
determined to question Eric that
evening.
Eric, however, proved elusive.
He telephoned late in the after
noon that he was dining out. He
returned too late for anything re-
sembling a consultation. The next
evening he was home, but Isobel,
Brenda told herself with some ir-
ritation,, stuck to him like a burr.
Mac had in fact been away FIVE
days before Brenda cornered Eric
Mason.
How Is it going?" she asked
anxiously.
sHow is what going?" Eric
gazed at her blandly. SOh. you
mean IsobePs affair? Nicely,
think. don't you? She's been out
with him twice this week and"
"You know perfectly well I
don't mean Isobel. Why viii you
be so horrid, Eric? I am talking
about Mac. Has he lost his job?"
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