The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-09-06

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and marched past them as casual
ly as possible. They were seated
close together on the studio couch,
and they paid no attention to me
whatever, so that l was able TO
crafty my curiosity about JEFF.
I can't say he seemed actually
thaWed, but my brief glance found
evidences of a Slight softening
around the edges of his icy re-
serve. His face was perceptibly
flushed and he was staring at San
dra like a hynOtiZed but fright
ened bird.
went out into the corridor and
closed the door after me, con-
SciouS of resentment and a vague,
unpleasant feeling that l had been
forced into betraying Julia
Gerald Beaufort was alone at
table in the Post Exchange res
taurant. joined him with real
pleasure.
You've no idea what a relief
it is" confded TO him, after the
waiter had brought my order" to
be with someone else who Is an
outsider. Not in the army"
He raised his glass of tomato
juice in mocking salute and
drained it, looking az me across
the rim with gray eyes that were
like himself as was beginning to
know him. At first you saw only
the outrageous lashes and muSi-
cal-comedy manner. But under the
T1char Xhr G-Tav-G1vr rr11
intelligent; and under the man.
ner, so was Gerald.
Jealous Rage?
you mean they take them
l. selves a bit seriously" he
observed shrewdly, setting down
the empty glass.
l nodded, feeling guilty. as if
we were guests discussing an abb
sent hostess. which was not a good
analogy, for we were both paying
for our board and lodging. New
erthelesS, l felt diSloyal.
Il couldn't help noticing" he
went on Soberly, that it wasn't so
much the fact of that poor devil
being killed that occasioned the
Indignation last night, as the fact
that it happened on the reserva-
ton"
you can't blame them for that.
Murder makes ugly headlines"
And, changing the subject not al
together happily, ''I left Sandra
and JEFF in my rooms planning an
early wedding"
His eyes flew to my face and
his butter knife heSitated over
the toast.
TOO bad" He sounded as if he
meant it.
"Why?'
Julia is a much nicer person"
l studied him for a moment
while he went on prosaically con-
Stunning bits of toast.
mo disagreement about that"
| said at last carefully. But she's
known jeff all her life. l don't
suppose he seems very romantic
&c her"
"Oh. doesn't he?"
There was literally no express
sion to the words-an effect which
| know from experience is almost
impossible to achieve. It rang
little bell somewhere in my brain
like the one on my typewriter
that | pay no attention to- I didn't
pay much attention to this, either.
in the sense Of getting scared and
thinking, this man could be a
murderer; I was pretty sold on
him. But the thought did just cross
my mind that he might have
Depths Depths:
That's not the onls reason it's
too bad" he observed presently.
And the gray eyes were so open
and candid that l forgot about the
what else?"
Murder investigation" he re-
minded me. Wife can't testify
against her husband. I've studied
a bit of law" he added modestly.
and then quite obviously said no
more.
"But--but you surely don't
think Je-" l began and, with
sudden horror. remembered San
dra in Ivan'S arms and JEFF COM
ing up the ladder. Could he have
seen? Could he ave killed Ivan
in a jealous rage?
Gerald did not appear to notice
my discomposure.
II know less about il than the
newest recruit" he assured me.
Here's your check. If you girls
tCill vote you must take the Bit
ter with the sweet and learn not
to depend on masculine chivalry
II had inUited you to breakfast
l should simply have to stand for
your eating up fifteen cents. but
since this is virtually pickup. |
must insist that you pay your
way"
The cashiers goggling stare pur-
sued US to the street.
But I still think it's too bad"
Gerald said with no change of
tone. Someone's sure to think
she's protecting him"
That's nonsense" / said sharp
ly. But / knew that il was not.
Julia. ! needed TO see Julia.
stood on the sidewalk in front of
the Post Exchange and thought
about going there now. Then / re-
membered Gerald'S depths and his
rather diSconcerting way of leap
ing upon a conclusion. And meek
ly. but uneasily. ! walked beside
him back TO the club.
Sandra was still in my rooms,
but I was relieved to find that
jeff had taken himself off.
Hes gone to see a man he
knows about getting a special IL
cense," she told me. Were going
to be married today If we can"
To be continued