The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-06-11
Chapter 10
Mind Your Own Business

Mind Your Own Business
ON HER way to see Hugh, Bren-
" da heard her name called. She
stopped impatiently. Having made
up her mind to q move which
might be deemed by others some
what unwise and officiouS, she was
naturally impatient at any delay
in this action.
what is it, Dorothy? You are
Dorothy, aren't you?"
Dorothy gave a tinid grunt in
reply. Her broad face was scarlet,
either from her exertions or from
embarrassment, and she fingered
the hem of her apron exactly like
the second housemaid in q good
old British drama.
well, what can l do for you,
Dorothy?" Brenda asked.
Dorothy mumbled something,
at the same time poking an awk-
ward finger into her hair.
"What is it? You'll really have
to speak up if you want me to
hear"
"Curlsi" the innocent orphan
gasped. Il want to have curls like
yours"
The aStounded Miss Burnham
gaZed at her in silence. 1t appeared
that Kipling was right, after ALL
The Colonel's lady-or at any rate,
the Brenda Burnnams and Doro-
thy ArnoldS were sisters under the
skin, SO fan as curlS went anyhow.
She said kindly; "Pm afraid a
permanent is the best you can do
along that line, Dorothy. You see.
/ was Lorn with curly hair just as
you were born with straight" She
eyed the thick toW-colored locks
speculatively. iii bet her hair is
down TO her waist
touch il though" she warned. ITS
very nice hair; and such a lot of
it,"
Dorothy gulped. Too muehi
have TO wear the awfulest old
hats Would you-pleaSe. Miss
Brenda. would you-ask Mrs. Ar
mold can have a permanent"
Brenda's besetting sin, her sin
ful independence. rose in one out
ragged leap
ASK her? Why should I or any
one ask her? It's your hair, isn't
it?" Then an IDEA checked her.
You have wages, or an allow
ance, Of your own. Dorothy?"
Il got my savings accounts; and
have dollar week to spend"
Brenda surveyed her wonder
ingly. Was the woman really SUBJ
normal. as she had suggested to
Mrs. Arnold? Surely nothing else
could account for the dictatorship
which was exercised over her. For
once in her life Brenda resolved
to use some caution. She would in
quire into the mental status of
Dorothy before she gave advice.
If she was normal, well and good.
She should be encouraged to spend
her own money as she pleased.
If she was not well, of course
that might alter the case. Brenda
said kindly:
I'm in a terrible hurry now,
Dorothy. Let me think it over
aOOAt gOdA AAa1As AIlCoAA-- cl40 NlACl4
I'll tell you what ] have decided.
Will that be all right?"
She was surprised to see tears
spring into the small brown eyes
looking down into her own. Doro-
thy gulped, tortured her apron
hem more violently than ever. and
nodded. Brenda sped away.
what this street needs is
O'Neill and Mary Wilkins Free
man in collaboration" she re-
marked thoughtfully.
Don't Overstep'
HUGH did not answer her tap at
II the studio door. He seldom did
when he was absorbed in his work.
Undaunted. Brenda pushed it
open and walked in. The artist
was seated before long table.
busy with some pen and ink
sketches over which he hastily
placed a blotter when he recog-
nized his caller.
Hugh. I've got some news for
youi"
He looked at her with something
OF aQGldAQGS Nd6QSllGSS- II NdS
plain that his mind had been far
away from The Street.
Its about-LindaI"
His head jerked up, his eyes
grew stern.
Look here, little Brenda Burn
ham," he said levelly, You're a
nice child, and I've liked having
you drop in. But don't overStep
your privileges. In other words"
he finished with a charming smile,
mind your own business. darl-
ingl"
Her small jaw frightened. 81 will
of course, if you insist. But Pm
quite sure that you don't know
what I've come 70 tell you, and
that you ought to know it. I paid
you the compliment of believing
you would enjoy being treated as
an adult; as a responsible adult"
she finished.
He took out a cigarette and
lighted il with hands not quite
steady.