The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-09-11

hand on his arm. "Was marrying
you a dirty trick, jeff"
| He did not seem to see the
hand, nor hear the bantering
question.
what do you mean, Julia?"
he asked, his eyes on her, intent
and watchful.
No one but me seemed aware
Of the bright inquiring eyes Of
the landlady.
isn't there somewhere we can
talk that isn't so public?" I put
in hurried1y, and she led us to the
parlor. Then a car drove up and
she excused herself. reluctantly,
I thought.
Perhaps I should have gone too,
but it didn't occur to me at the
time. I closed the door and stood
against it watching and listening,
remembering all that Julia had
just told me, and trying to make
up my mind about jeff.
He turned to face Julia, stand
ing closer to her nov and looking
at her as if there were only the
two of them in the room.
What do you mean, Julia?" he
repeated gravely.
81 mean that Ivan was MUIR
dered last night" she said fierce
ly. If it was news to them they
did not betray the fact. "And
they're already saying there must
be some reason for your rushing
off and getting married in such
hurry. That-that maybe Sandra
did it to protect you'll"
jeff looked as if he still did not
understand until Sandra broke
into cool, deliberate speech.
"And what if did? Wasn't that
better than being forced to tell
about the time you knocked Ivan
down in my apartment? And
about your seeing us together on
the barge last night? Oh, it was
very noble of Julia to pretend she
had caught us in a compromising
position and was covering it up
especially when she knew you'd
already seen what there was to
See."
%And what was that?" asked
Jeff tone1eSsly.
"Just Ivan trying to persuade
me to run away with him, and
taking it rather badly when I re-
fused. But you would believe the
worst-just as you did the time
you knocked him down."
Never Mind
you may recall that thought
he was annoying you. And it
may interest you to know that
did not see you last night on the
barge"
"Oh, what's the use of talking
about it? l did what I thought
was best. And ! don't really see
what business it is of Julia's tDhen
we choose to get married"
He continued to look at her for
minute, with no expression
whatever in his eyes. while Julia
turned and walked proudly to-
ward the door. But before she
had quite reached it he spoke her
name, and she stopped and wait
ed. He came over to her then and.
putting a hand en- each shoulder.
turned her around until she
looked up and met his eyes.
do you think / killed Ivan?"
he demanded.
81 know you didn't" she an
swered quietly.
Thanks"
In the instant's pause before
he dropped his hands from her
shoulders something very much
like grief showed in his eyes.
The landlady met us at the
door.
''Now about the room" she
began brightly. But Sandra's voice
behind us cut her short.
Never mind about the room.
I've changed nv mind. We won't
be needing it after ALL"
Julia was quiet on the drive
back to the post, but not with the
heavy quiet of despair. For almost
the first time since 7 had known
her there was a light in her eyes.
| l asked to be dropped at the
club. She must have sensed my
unSpoken question about what
she planned to do, for she said,
ITS all right now, I can go home.
There are announcements to send
out and letter to write-Mimi and
will put a good face on this if
it can be put. Kay, what is she
trying to do to him? But it's all
right You saw him look at me.
She can't hurt him. It's all right"
wasn't sure what she meant,
but I was glad something had
comforted her. / watched her
drive away. Then went to my
rooms and slept.
A light, almost timid rapping
at my door woke me. had been
dreaming that I was trapped in a
burning car. The fire was all out
side, kept away from me by the
glass windows which I dared not
open, and ! was getting hotter
and hotter. Suddenly Gerald was
beating at a window, trying to
break it in, and ! was crying to
him to stop, that he would only
make things worse.
I woke trembling. to find that
the sun had dipped to the level
OF the western window and was
doing its best to make hay of me.
The rapping continued. ] swung
my feet to the floor and called,
Come in"
Adam entered. looking none too
sure Of his welcome. aeF
I'm sorry I woke you up" he
said. u came to apologize for my
behavior last night"
| He was carrying a manila fold
er, manuscript size. He laid it on
my table but he did not take his
eyes from my face.