The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-02-10
Chapter 81
Daily Problems

Chapter 81
Daily Problems
CUE wondered that her brother,
~ who had been wont to praise
her taste in clothes, did not realize
that never would she have chosen
Pats present outfit. But Allen, she
suspected, If he allowed himself to
think of them at all, believed
PatSy's wishes had prevailed over
her sister-in-law's. .ct -. ...
It CALLED Sues own pride to
know that the woman who had
been Bob's wife even for a brief
two weeks was beStoWing such
extravagant gifts on Mrs. Allen
Davenport; but, like Allen, she
was helpless. The one thing she
could do was to spare Allen that
knowledge.
Just once had she attempted
remonstrance with the triumphant
Pats.
Honey, you oughtn't to let
Cecily give you things like these,
you know; you oughtn't to let any,
one give them to you'll l thought
we'd arranged it that I was to buy
what you need"
eyes, thought so, tool" Pats's
long eyes shone with malicious
Joy. But since you seem to have
forgotten. I've had to rely on dear
Cecily."
forgotten? I've sent you box
after box of clothes, Pats; every
thing you can possibly need"
"Oh, those tailored crepe and
silk thingsl Just because you like
to dress so simply, Sue, it doesn't
follow that every one does. Sim
pie things don't suit my style. I
showed them to Cecily and she
agreed / need trailing, fluffy
things. She says I'll be terribly
thin after the baby comes, and can
wear simply coolies of lace and
ribbons"
Sues hands clenched, but she
kept her voice steady.
And did you return the things ]
sent, Pats?"
Her sister-in-law looked a trifle
embarrassed. well, no, didn't
If you must know, Sue. gave
them to Marie. They were a gift,
weren't they? ! hope you aren't
the sort of person who ties strings
to your presents, my dear!"
Sue had allowed herself one
grave warning. do you think it's
wise to antagonize me, Patsy?
When Cecily goes away"
But she's not going awayl"
Pats sank triumphantly back
against the cushions of the couch,
her chin tilted to watch the curling
smoke of her cigarette. "She likes
1t here. She says I'm a real friend.
She's been lonely, poor Cecilyl !
think she came to st. Joseph, hop
ing she'd find a friend in you, but
you're so prim and old fashioned
IN your ideas that she saw right
away it was no use. Luckily for us
both, I'm more tolerant, / can ap-
preciate a girl like Cecily."
Putting all that aside, Pats,
have you considered how this
sort of thing might hurt Allen?
He's my brother, he loves me-"
Pats dropped any pretense of
civility she might have retained
toward her sister-in-law.
Loves you a darned sight more
than he does mel" she exclaimed
shrilly. Don't think I don't know
that, Suel Don't think I've forgot
ten the first months of my married
life. It was Sue. Sue, Sue-all over
the place what Sue liked, and how
much Sues money did for us all,
and how low and charming Sues
voice was well, I'm rid of Sue,
heaven be thanked! It doesn't
matter a boot in hades what you
think of me, you may be interested
to knowl I've wanted to say this
to you for long time" she went
on with deep satisfaction. "And
now I've done it; and if you want
to 60 sniveling to Allen about it,
go right ahead. guess even Allen
won't take your part against me
nowl"
Maggie
CUE, very white, rose without a
- word and left the room. In the
hall she found old Maggie, her hat
on, a small suitcase in her hand.
Il couldn't help hearing. Miss
Sue. I've had my clo'es packed
against this day for a long time
Out of this house ] walk and I'll
not set foot in it until She" the
gray head was jerked toward the
closed door-"goes out of it for
good and all"
Sue drew her swiftly into the
small bedroom opening off the
kitchen.
Maggie, dear, you mustn't, you
can'ti Think Of Mr.. AllenI You're
all he's got of-of home. Mrs. Al
len isn't herself just now"
"She's more herself than she's
let herself be since she come
here" was Mays cryptic comment.
"And anyway, she'll be going to
the hospital soon. Mr.. Allen will
need you to cook for him, to keep
his clothes mended as you've al
ways done. Please, please. forget
it. dearl Think of Allen, as ] do.
and pay no attention to anything
that's said. Do it for me, Maggie
darlingl"
you're a good little creature,
Miss Sue; that I'll say for you. And
the way you've learned to keep
your temper these days beats me.
] can well remember when you'd