The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-08-05
Chapter %
Plans

Chapter %
Plans
TO1NG up to Lance'S room she
" found him for the first time in
many weeks, sitting beside his
work bench, a long shelf running
at right angle to the windows
facing west, beginning the deli
cate job of making a model Of
the DC-4. the new Douglas land
plane which carried forty-tW
passengers and which, a short
time before, had made its trial
fight in the sky above Sea Tide.
His face was animated. slightly
flushed, as his thin clever fingers
fashioned fragile wings. A lock of
fair hair tumbled over his high
forehead. giving his hollow, pain
lined face a look of young en-
thuSiaSm.
Hearing her come in, he put
down the piece of light wood and
turned his chair. I'D hoped for
tea" he grumbled, a petulant
droop to his lips. Now that Derek
is gone, l might get a little more
attention. Hang it all, Jan, if the
man has so much filthy money
he could have tried doing some
thing for mel"
Jan WINGED. ''Et tn, Brutus," she
murmured. ITS my fault if he
didn't" she defended. Il told him
the opinions of the surgeons who
last looked at you were quite con-
elusive"
well, you needn't have. That's
just the trouble with you, Jan.
You want to run everything and
everybody and you're too blasted
young and inexperienced"
Her lips quivered under the
verbal slap. She had meant to be
tactful and polite about her
plans. but instead she blurted, II
agree with you. Lance. And I'm
just as fed up on it as you are
I'm going away for awhile and
leave Norma in charge of things
here. She'll do as well or better
than l."
"You-go atUdy?" he stammered
unbelievingly. Sudden real con-
Germ blotted the sulkiness from
his eyes. Honey, ! didn't mean a
word of it, you should know me
better by now! don't know what
I'd ever have done without you.
Why. you've given up your girl
hood to rlay nurse-maid to me.
You haven't had any fun at all
for years. I'm a selfish fool-for-
give me. Jan. Don't leave me-" He
reached out for her hand, caught
it and held it against his cheek.
Babe In The Woods
I'm GLAD Derek is gone," he
said, apropos Of nothing.
Il thought you liked him?"
We'll enough. A great deal, as
matter of fact But he isn't your
kind, Jan, and / was afraid he'd
intrigue that romantic magma
ton of yours that you would fan
cy yourself in love with him and
be hurt. You aren't hurt. Janny?"
No" Her words were stout.
They had a ring of genuinenesy
which pleased her If she could
fool Lance, and the others. per-
haps in time she could fool her
self into believing she really
didn't care. Il wonder" she
thought forlornly. "if any one will
ever call me 'PuSS' again?"
Good, Lance commented.
Nov about this going away
won't permit it. You are untitled
10 60 alone anywhere. Sis. You've
been cared for and protected all
OF your life and you'd be a lost
babe in the woods"
Drawing her hand away from
his she said, the red of battle
flushing her tanned cheeks. "You
aren't quite fair. Lance. I've man.
aged this house and d score of
roomerS and bills and taxes and
responsibilities for over two
years. I'm really a very practical
young woman. And maybe what
/ need Is getting away, standing
alone for awhile. Anyway. I'm
going into Los Angeles. I've saved
very little bit of money. enough
Tor one or two weeks board and
room and l intend looking for
work. My mind is made I'D.
Lance. I'm going"
He protested. pleaded argued
with her. but her eyes only grew
darker with purpose and her
round chin grew firmer.
Frank dropped in on the last
round, listened calmly to both
sides, drew refiec:ively on his old
black pipe and said, Good for
you, Jan. I'll keep an eye on
Lance. Don't worry a minute
about him. And say. I've a sister
who's dress buyer for Blalock's.
Goes to New York a couple of
tunes a year. She's a good scout,
Jan, and she'll be glad to give you
a hand at getting settled and find
ing work. I'll call her right now
and have her meet you when you
arrive in town"
i don't want her to CO." Lance
persisted. She's nothing but a
baby"
"She needs a change" Frank
declared. Ruth will help her.
She'll be all right. Don't act like
a poSseSsive parent. Lancet"
-! see have no ally" he grum-
bled.