The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-02-01

4EGIlLOn, ABOUT TO QSSCSIlQ from MS
car across the street from where
the young Davenports lived, was
aStoniShed to see Sue come out,
suitcase in hand, and move toward
a taxicab which stood in front of
the entrance. Bob was just in time
to halt the driver as his car began
to move.
"Hi!" the young man yelled
breathlessly. And to Sue: "What
on earth? Have you forgotten you
have a date for me this EVENING""
Sue, he noticed. was white and
troubled.
81 did forget. Bob. I'm terribly
sorry"
Going out of town."
She shook her head, sending a
warning glance at the patiently
listening driver.
''Then hop out and I'll take you
where you want to CO." He paid
the interested man, tipping him
literally: helped Sue out and
swung her suitcase after her. Not
until there were moving smoothly
down the street in his own car, did
he speak.
where were you going, sweet?
To hotel?"
She opened her lips to answer
him, but her chin quivered and
she took out her handkerchief and
put it quickly to her eyes.
Don't, my darling" he said
huskily. And don't think you have
to explain. The situation got too
much for you at home. didn't it?
Patsy went a. little too far this time
and you thought it best to get out"
"How-hoW do you know, Bob?"
"How do l know anything about
you, Sue? l do-that's all. And it
doesn't take much of detective to
know that Pats has been deter
mined to get you out of the place
since the actual day Allen brought
her home. ! suppose she put the
poor old lad on the spot today?
! Tried to force him to choose be-
tween his wife and his sister--that
sort of thing?"
She nodded. still hopping at
wet eyes.
"And you took matters in your
hands and left without forcing a
decision upon your brother? You
would, of course. What puzzles me
is that Allen actually let you go!"
Kind Friend
LIE DIDN'T know" she said in
II a strangled voice. Il slipped
out while he and Patsy were still
arguing about it. | couldn't endure
another word. / couldn't, Bobl"
"Of course you couldn't. The
marvel is you've endured it so
long, No other girl would, you
may be sure of that. But what
now. sweet?"
She struggled for a return to
composure. "The hotel at present;
after that, little apartment some
where, | suppose. Maggie will
come with me, of course-luekily
she was in her room tonight and
didn't hear the row."
Bob had headed his car away
from town and now they were
bowling along the boulevard
which led to the Lovers Lane of
Eugene Field fame. As they turned
into the ''leafy aisles where Cupid
smiles" he said: "Sue, don't want
to take advantage of the situation,
but-aren't- you ever going to
marry me? You do care for me,
you know--a little, anyway"
She smiled at him. laid small
cold hand over his on the wheel.
More than a little, Bob dear!
A great deal, in fact. But not
enough-enough to-"
ITO marry me? But if think it
is enough, Sue-If I'm willing to
take any risk you may think there,
is. Sue, I've waited a long
time now. Long enough, at any
rate, for you to discount your idea
that it was a sentimental impulse
with me, that it wouldn't last.
Long enough, too, to get ahead Of
any other men you might-might
have cared for. Won't you marry
me, sweet. and come to the home
that's all ready for your"
TITS temptation, Bob" she
admitted. II feel so terribly forlorn
tonight SO homeless, The tears
started again and she wiped them
away patiently. "But- that's really
why | mustn't decide-tonight, at
least. 1t would be the circum-
stances which Influenced me, not
not my feeling .oward you"
He was silent so long that she
presently stole glance at him. He
looked almost grim, for Bob, stern
and little angry. she thought.
with something like fright in her
bewildered thoughts. Was she
going to lose Bob. too? Was he
going to force choice on her to-
night-aS Patsy had done? She
gripped her hands tightly in her
lap.
But at last he turned and smiled
at her. the gay understanding
smile he kept just for her.
ITS all right, dear. OF course
you mustn't decide tonight. Wen
drive bit and then I'll take you
to the hotel. and tomorrow or the
next day-whenever you feel up
to it-we'n talk about the future"
The exquisite relief Of it told her
how great had been the crisis. That
momentary glimpse of a life with
out this kindest and closest of
friends unconsciouSly pleaded
Bob's cause far more than any
words of his could have done.