The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-09-04
Casual &aughters
by VIRGINIA HANSON

| Julia came back alone present.
| ~ and suggested that we find San
dra.
Before JEFF axes up" she
added, with an unI athomable look
at his recumbent form.
She led the way to the wrecked
barge and went up the crude lad
der like a sailor. / kept close be-
hind her, for there was some
thing frightening to me in the
old hulk, slumbering there in the
moonlight, with the ghost of an
old man pacing her narrow deck.
What the old man was doing there
did not know-the barge cap
tain, perhaps swept away in the
same storm that lashed the angry
lake and tossed the barge like a
chip onto the sand. / only knew
that felt his presence; that il
was part of the dread that made
me walk very straight between
the steep side of the hull and the
equally steep descent into the
dark hold where the mirrored
moon, with scum across her face,
shone wickedly back at me.
Julia dropped suddenly, barring
my way; and over her shoulder,
in the full glare of the moonlight,
saw Sandra and Ivan clinging to
one another as if they would
never let go.
A slight sound made US both
turn. Someone was coming up the
ladder. I could see the head and
shoulders of a man silhouetted
against the white leach.
Julia said loudly. mo one here
she must have gone up the
beach. Oh, is that you, jeff"
JEFF identified himself with his
usual brevity and, since Julia
barred his way. remained on the
ladder.
mo one here" she repeated
| firmly. Kay and l are going to
collect Sandra and take a walk.
Gerald and Adam went that way.
We're going this way. Would you
mind Scramming?"
Mortal Enemies
Tor a moment JEFF looked null
iSh, but he was outmaneuvered
and knew it. In silence he swung
down the ladder, turned and
made off down the beach.
We waited at the foot of the
ladder.
'Why did you do that?" asked
her.
mot on her account" she said
Savagely. Think I want to see
him Inundated? And for that
that Screwball?"
There's no accounting for
tastes" | admitted. JEFF might not
| be the most charming mar. in the
world, but he was certainly to
be preferred to that posturing
little slug of an Ivan. I'm afraid
all the same that he saw them"
81 hope not. He's so sensitive"
Sandra appeared presently.
alone.
'Were you looking for me?" she
asked innocently. She came down
the ladder, chattering about the
moon on the water. She was per-
| fectly composed; but as we set off
| up the beach | found myself be-
tween them. and the large. of all
conversation. There was rage in
| the air. The two girls had been
unfriendly; they were now mortal
enemies.
We did not go far; and when
we returned to the shadow of the
barge we began, by unspoken
consent. to gather up our posses
sionS. The party had soured. We
| all wanted to go home.
There was still no sign of the
men when we had finished pack
ing the two cars. so Julia sound
ed a long blast on the horn and
we heard a couple of answering
halloos. Julia climbed into the
rumble seat of Adams roadster
and, after moment of indecision,
| got in front.
Presently the chaplain ap-
| peared, blowing YEARLY through
! the sand, loudly apologize for
/ having failed to assist in the ex-
odus. Sandra led him off to Jef's
/ car. parked a stones throw up
! the road.
Another conquest" Julia re-
marked acidly when they were
out of hearing. And then, Poor
JEFF. II she keeps that up after
| they're married he'll kill her one
of these days"
Poor Julia! If she could have
known how bitterly she would re-
greet those words / think she
would have bitten out her tongue
rather than utter them. For when
she looked up Adam was standing
by the car and behind him was
Gerald.
work all done?" asked Gerald
brightly. I'VE stayed away as long
as we could. hope you washed
the dishes"
I'VE saved them for you." Julia
told him.
Fond of washing dishes? Good.
Neither am I. knetD we were
soul mates"
when we're married we'll use
paper plates" she promised him.
"A bonfire after every meal"
Fond of bonfreS?"
Adam groaned. Get another
station. The program stinks."
There was an edge to his voice.
He slid behind the wheel, did
not look in my direction. Up
ahead the car doors slammed. the
red taillight bloomed and Jeffs
little car lunged up the road.
How about some hot music?"
Julia suggested.
Swell" said Adam. and started
the car.
They sang, TO the guitars &C.
compartment, and our silence in
the front seat was not obvious.
Adam spoke once. under cover of