The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-04-02

Kents daughter she raised the
devil. She came to Joan a couple
of months ago and threatened to
expose something about Joan's
father. We never did find out what
it was. Anyway she was going to
do it unless Joan broke off with
Tim right away"
He sat down on the stool again
and lighted a cigarette. "And ac-
cording to Joan's letter she was
here again last night"
"But how old is Louise Lath-
rop?" I asked. after all, Warner
Kent has been dead for years."
"She must be thirty-nine or for
ty. AS l said, she was just a girl at
the time. Tim is about the same
age" Richard explained. Fright
from the beginning the whole
thing has been a IniX-up. Mother
worried about Joan, not so much
because Tim was older, but be-
cause he was still married, and to
a woman who not only wouldn't
give him divorce, but would be
certain to make trouble, if he tried
to get one"
Il met Louise Lathrop once"
Dirck said, although I didn't real
ize she was Tins wife. And I
imagine she must have been a
very beautiful girl. She's hand
some woman now"
What does she look like?" I
asked, curious to know more about
the woman.
WELL" said Dirck, looking at
me deliberately, "she had a very
small nose and she didn't have a
rangy figure like a half-grown
colt"
"Skip. it,. I said. "You aren't
very funny"
"She was beautiful. But once
destroyed"
why? And what does she look
like, Dirck?" I asked impatiently.
Tall And Dark
ITS pretty difficult to describe
1 people. She's tab and dark,
with very low, throaty voice. But
after l talked to her for about half
an hour she didn't even seem at
tractive. She's an unrestrained,
ruthless sort of person, think"
Richard leaned forward and
dropped his head into his hands
with a groan. "It'S horrible" he
murmured. II never dreamed such
thing could happen to joan" His
voice altered. 81 SAINT imagine ..
How that Sergeant despiSeS me.
He was at me again this evening,
hammering away. He's been sus-
picious ever since he asked me
about Joan'S note. l couldn't tell
him. He'd spread it all over the
front page of the papers" His voice
rose Historically. "And now he's
trying to prove I tool; a later train
last night"
Dirck rose and went around to
him. "Take it easy" he cautioned.
You'll waken someone"
Richard didn't seem to hear him.
Even if it wouldn't get in the pa
perS | couldn't tell him and have
Mother and Uncle Nick know.
They think I'm a weakling any,
way. Joan has always been the IA
vorite with everyone except Dad,
and even he worships her"
Suddenly he Strengthened up
and his eyes fastened on mine. "If
you remember the note the Ser
geant mentioned-Joan'S note
letter, rather, to Tim" He seemed
to be confused and the words tun-
bled out of his mouth so spaSmodi-
cally that I had a hard time follow
ing him. "She said she was wor-
ried about me. Well, she was"
He got up and poured himself
some brandy. "You see, bought
a lot of stock on margin and it
dropped. Uncle Nick helped me
out once, and then got in another
mess and had to have more money,
but l hated to go to him again. He
couldn't understand that sort of
thing, although the time I asked
him he was very generous about
it."
He put the glass on the coffee
table and wiped his forehead ner-
vouSly with his handkerchief. II
couldn't tell Mother" he went on,
land Dad hasn't a cent, so I had
to ask Joan. She didn't have much
money and it worried her terribly.
The poor kid. She had so much on
her mind. Everyone'S troubles be-
sides her own. And that red-head-
ed girl up in the front apartment
was deviling her."
He stopped talking suddenly
and Dirck and I looked at each
other.
Il was disappointed in Lathrop's
story" Dirck said. Somehow I
thought he'd know more than he
did"
Richard turned on him. Don't
drag Tim into this. He didn't do it.
He worshiped JOAN"
Il realize that" Dirck said sooth-
ingly.
And Richard, apparently molli-
fed, rose to go.
"Sure you don't want to stay
down here?" Dirck said.
Richard shook his head. mo. I'll
go along up"
well, try to get some sleep. It's
four o'clock"
When Dirck closed the door and
picked up the key to lock it I said,
mot that I'm curious by nature,
but / would like to know more.
First, did Richard take the train
he said he did? Second, what is
all this about Mary Ann Rogers?
She stopped Richard in the hall
tonight, but I regret to say I
couldn't hear a word"
Continued tomorrow