The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-06-03

1Our QdlE neeQS q wave ana your
hands are awful. What have you
been doing to them?"
Alaine spread her long fingers
out and viewed them disgustedly.
Helping Alb cut back his old
peonies on the farml We've a lit
tie country place, you know-or
maybe you don't know-and Alb
and I are both keen on botany.
We use the place to experiment.
It's loads Of fun. Three years ago
we grew some peonies-our own
seedlings-and they have to be
cut back in the fall. It's death and
destruction to ones nails, of
course. intended to get a mani
cure tomorrow; manicure and
a wave"
Get IT," Brenda advised. LET
me tell your young man that the
weddings postponed until the
bride is her usual charming self.
You really look like the wrath of
God, you know" she continued
amicably. at isn't fair TO hus-
band to enter into marriage with
your hair all straggly and your
hands like that. A good facial
wouldn't hurt you for once,
either; though l don't advise them
usually for one so young"
Who are you to be advising
at all?" was the pert question. "a
beauty eypert?"
Just another girl-and one
with eyes in her head" She rose.
shall go down and give Mr..
Barrow the messenger"
well. but - but / do suppose
there's a limit to what poor Ned
will put up WITH" Alaine re-
marked slowly. 81 imagine he'd
rather have me, wave or no wave,
than not at all. l D.. / sort of hate
to break it to him-this timel"
Brenda'S eyes tWinkled at the
last words; they spoke significant
ly of former occasions when the
patient lover had been turned
away.
Lots OF Money
"QUT I'm doing it for you today,
u and I'm very skillful at it.
truly l ami PD take all the blame
myself-he saw me come dashing
upstairs so he knows I intended
to rescue-I mean to try to per-
Suade you to change mean to
postpone the wedding. Do let me
go down now!" And when Alaine
still heSitated, she took the girl
by the arm and led her to the
mirror. One glance at the dark,
disheveled hair, the careleSsly ap-
piled lip rouge, and the drawn ex-
preston of the young face settled
the matter.
"All right-go down. But you're
to tell him its only postponed
Promise?"
Il PROMISE" Brenda said, and
sedately descended the stairs.
Judge Harper, whether from
tactfulnesS or distaste for the
whole affair, had taken himself
off. Brenda faced Ned Barrow
alone.
He opened the conversation
with out preamble. Where's
Alaine? If you've talked her out
OF marrying me -"
Brenda broug-t out both dim
pies in her most charming smile.
Shall we sit down and discuss
ii for a few minutes? AS a matter
Of fact. I've merely persuaded her
to postpone her marriage until to-
morrow. haven't -"
He interrupted angrily. That's
equivalent to postponing it for
ever-or at least until she and Alb
have another rowl"
But my dear Mr.. Barrow
she leaned forward persuaSively
you wouldn't want to marry
Alaine merely on an impulse
her impulse, 1 mean? Think how
resentful she'd be when she got
over her fit of anger toward her
brother! It's quite on the cards
she'd leave you and come home
to him"
His young jaw set forcefully.
"She wouldn't! I'd see to that"
Brenda smiled again. "You and
Alb! It's your idea a girl like
Alaine can be driven, isn't it?
Now if you really want to marry
her -"
Il dol My gosh. how I dol Say.
listen, Miss whoeveryouarei If
you'll help me win Alaine-and
III admit to you that all along
I've had my doubts about this
impulse f-the-moment marriage
there isn't anything on earth
won't do or you'll How about an
ermine coat?" he inquired hope
fully. 'If it came as a gift from
both Alaine and me. it wouldn't
cause comment. Or a car of your
own - specially designed? Just
name what you want" he told
her largely. "and it'll be yours if
you persuade Alaine to marry
me-"
Brenda viewed him thoughtful
ly. i take it you have money?
Lots of mon~y?"
I'm lousy with it." he ex-
planned. my dad couldn't seem
to stop making it. once he got
started: and when he died four
years ago ] was the only one he
could leave it to. / haven't done
so badly with it. at that" he went
on modeStly. Il mean - there's
been no showgirls in my life-no
drinking - no gambling. Maybe
it's because ! was in love with
Alaine even then. met her when
we were both kids out roller skat-
inc on the sidewalk, he contin-
ued. Il live a couple of blocks
back of here. in one Of those cas-
tle-like affairs you've probably
turned UP your nose at. She was
eleven and what she couldn't do
on those skates is nobody's bust
nessl / was falling all over my.