The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-06-07

there's even lending library. Mac
and / were standing behind the
rack Of books. out Of sight of the
rest Of the store. We both noticed
a girl with a caild-kid about
two, ] guess. She stood watching
the door. Mac found biography
he'd been wanting to read so he
dipped into Il. and we weren't
talking when - when Barrow
came in The girl gave a little cry,
and ne came straight toward her.
They talked a while and then she
said: "Oh, Ned, have you brought
the money! And he just nodded
didn't say a word. She wiped
her eyes with her handkerchief
and said something about needing
to buy clothes for the child.
nudged Mac and we both saw Bar
row take out handful of bills and
give them to her. Then he patted
the kid on the head and went out.
But waitl" He hurried on as
though anticipating interruption
That isn't ALI She called the
baby Edwardl Now if you have
any explanation Of that besides
the one Mac and / put on it, 60
to it!'
She looked grave. How did ne
act? I mean-was his manner
nervOuS-disturbed?"
ct was furtive," he pronounced
triumphantly. He kept glancing
over his shoulder and when he'd
given her the money he got him.
self out of that store in record
time"
you never spoke to him about
it?" Brenda asked.
He said heartedly: "Of course
! didn't Barrow's morals are none
of my affair-not unless he tries
to marry my sister"
'But-but surely the only right
and just thing is to tell her
Alaine, l mean. If this thing is
true and I'm awfully afraid it
isi-then it will put an end forever
to anything between her and Ned.
IF it isn't -"
Il tell you I'm not going to
have her mixed up in such a
mess" was the logged reply.
"Alaine's different from most
girls of her age. I've seen to that.
Why even her bathing suits -"
He fell into bitter silence.
Ridiculous Twins
BRENDA remembered the low
- cut evening gown which had
precipitated the last quarrel, and
smiled to herself. These ridiculous
twins! Alaine proclaiming her
hours seniority over Alb, Alb de-
claring he had to be father and
mother to his sister! They were
absurd, they were incredible; but
they were a little sweet and
pathetic, too!
well, Alb" she told him.
there seems only one thing to do.
Since neither you nor Mac viii
ask Ned about this girl, I'll do it
myself. Certainly if he is support
ing another woman-the mother
Of his child-he mustn't marry
Alaine."
"Do you think he'll admit it?
He'll just lie to you; put you off
with some story. and you'll believe
in him stronger than ever"
Brenda stiffened. "You forget
that my profession is founded on
psychology, Abb I think can tell
when I'm listening to the truth
or otherwiseI"
Maybe you can," he muttered.
Maybe you can; but I'm here to
tell you I'm going to keep right
on fighting Ned Barrow away
from Alaine, no matter what he
tells yout"
They finished the drive in COM
parative silence. The hills which
had looked so blue from distance
were scrubby and uninteresting
at close sight. Brenda returned to
the house angry at herself for
having offered Barrow her help,
angry at him for what Alb was
pleased to refer to as his past
life" most of all angry at Mac
for knowing that she had inter-
fered in the matter.
The next afternoon she con-
suited Hugh Saltus about it. He
was standing before his desk, his
busy pencil doing fascinating
things which ordinarily would
have occupied all Brenda's at
tention. His mouth looked little
more bitter than usual. his eyes
less mirthful. Evidently the world
was not behaving itself as il
should so far as the artist was
concerned.
$50 there it is" the girl fin
ished. 81 do think it would make
a grand marriage for her-Judge
Harper says those crazy twins put
all their extra capital into the
farm and that they spend most OF
their income on plants and fer
tilizer for it. But of course if this
young Barrow is actually support
ing another woman -"
At least it's TO his credit that
he's supporting herl"
Hugh. that's a very unethical
view for you to take of the matter"
she said severely. EITHER she has
legal claim on him, or she hasn't.
If she has then he should marry
her. If she hasn't. then he shouldn't
be blamed for what may simply
be charity. And anyway, you're
not being the least help to me.
What shall ! do about Il all?"