The Key West citizen., 1940-09-16
Chapter Is
StubbornIy Solitary
THERE was something on San

AEhE was SOInStDlnS on San-
i dra's mind.
"Did I keep you awake last
night?" she asked, approaching
it obliquely.
mo. / was just thinking
story through" lied. Il often do
at night"
Il didn't think you were asleep.
I'm glad it wasn't on my account.
lift it wouldn't disturb you I'd
like to occupy that bed every
night until This thing is cleared
up"
My heart sank. This was more
than l had bargained for. Adam
had asked me to cultivate her.
but
/ gave her a straight look.
Have you and jeff quarre1ed?"
She returned my gaze steadily
and did not change color. Then
she pushed UP the short sleeve of
her black sheer frock and showed
me an ugly green bruise on her
arm just below the shoulder.
I'm afraid of him." she said
simply. He gets into such mur-
derous RACES"
l remember she used that exact
expression, for felt a little chill
creep up my spine as ! wondered
If she meant it literally.
Then why did you marry
him?"
I'D rather not discuss that"
she said coldly. / knew she was
thinking of the scene at Field
stone Inn, where / was present
as Julia's friend.
Wasn't it rather odd, reflected,
that she should choose me for her
half-confdenceS, knowing as she
must that ] was on Julia's side?
Perhaps she hoped to win me
over to hers, but why? I was of
no Importance IN this tangle-
only an outsider who had let my
self be drawn in. To impress me
favorably meant nothing unless,
possibly, / should pass that i'm
preston on to Adam.
Then I realized that Sandra
was peculiarly friendless here.
Mimi seemed fond of her-or was
she? But Mimi was not a person
would 60 to in trouble. She was
too remote. too involved within
herself. And who else was there?
Felicia Bridewell. the club host
eSS. Felicia was an outsider too:
and much as she amused me. /
distrusted her sharp tongue and
her slightly avid interest in other
peoples affairs. ! could under
stand Sandra's not caring TO have
Felicia's penetrating eyes focused
on the marital relations Of JEFF
Tack and his bride.
That left only me. Not friend,
not even an impartial observer.
but the only woman Sandra could
turn to. Against my will felt a
little stab Of pity.
you may sleep here if you
like" said at last reluctantly.
But I'd be glad if you'd explain
to jeff that I'm not taking
sides"
You'd better explain that
yourself" she said distantly. I'm
not talking TO him. except in pub
lie"
What could I say? I left it at
that, but I had an uneasy feeling
that was being unwise, that l
needed advice. And Adam was
not there to give it to me.
She was just leaving when an
orderly appeared at the door.
Invitation
TISS PENNANT would like to
WI speak to one of you ladies
on the phone" he said. "She
asked for either Mrs. Tack or
Miss Cornish"
you talk to her, Kay"
Gall right. But you'd better
come along too. It's probably an
invitation"
It was. Would we come to lunch
to discuss a reception for the
bride and groom? smiled to my
self as I relayed the information
to Sandra. Mimi and Julia were
getting busy to put a good face on
things. The old army solidarity. i
Tell them / have a headache"
Sandra said rapidly. They're to
make any plans they like and I'll
agree TO them. but / can't come
to lunch today"
/ repeated that into the phone
and Julia said. Thank Heaven.
I hoped she'd refuse but you come
anyway, Kay. You can help"
I demurred weakly that / had
work to do, but she scoffed at
that, and finally I consented. San
dra followed me back to my room
and watched me dress. She was
like a forlorn child-and not only
forlorn; a child afraid of the dark.
too; afraid of being alone. But de-
fiant, diStrustful and utterly. stub
bornly solitary.
do you mind if l stay here
and write some letters on your
typewriter" she asked as l put
on my hat. Don't worry. won't
hurt it-Pm a good typist."
| did mind. but weakly could
not say so. j felt as II l were
being inundated by Sandra. Gull
tivate her? She required no eulti-
vation. She was a weed.
Lunch proved to be peculiarly
social gathering-peculiar. if one
conSidere d the circumstances.