The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-25

"Rotl" was the careless reply.
'TsobePs a good scout and we're
friends; that's ALL"
Eric shrugged his shoulders.
"Glad she doesn't elect to show her
friendship for me like that But
it's your lookout, old mani"
Adelaide
THERE was time for no more.
L Down the wide hall which BIZ
sected the house, the two girls
came. Isobel walked step ahead,
def1antly, as though inviting COM
pariSon between her own angular
height and Brenda's dainty round
ness. The newcomer had run wet
comb through her silky curls and
had changed her rumpled travel
ing dress for a thin pale pink wash
silk. Eric suppressed a low muir
muir OF establishment as he saw
her.
Dinner, in spite Of IsobeIs OBJ
vious depression and a certain
stiffness on Macs part, was highly
successful. Perhaps to punish Mac,
perhaps because she was innately
courteous and sweet, Brenda ex-
erted every effort to make the &C.
casion gay one. She questioned
the other girl about her music,
was genuinely interested in her
radio work. She lured Eric into
telling his funniest stories of i'm
possible tenants and those who
would like to be tenants. She even
spoke gratefully of Macs recep-
ton of her, and his kindness to a
weary traveller. By the time des-
Sert-Which consisted of fruit and
cheese Mac had found in the ice
box-WaS served, the four young
people were on the most amicable
of terms.
It was not until breakfast time
the next morning that Brenda met
her landlady. Tired from her long
journey, nevertheless she had
Weakened early and lay listening to
the hum of preparation for new
day which resounded through the
big house.
After the decorous silence of
Aunt Anne's, there was something
heartening about the gay voices
which sounded from room to
room.
Through with the bathroom,
MaSon!" she heard Mac call, and
soon after there was a rush of wa
ter which indicated Eric was hav-
ing a shower.
Isobel called down: Adelaide,
darling, did the laundry come
home last Saturday? l can't find
my blue linen anywherel"
Delightful odors of coffee and
bacon began to drift upstairs. The
telephone rang repeatedly. Final
ly, half in despair and half in an
eager anticipation which was en-
tirely new to her, Brenda arose
and dressed.
Breakfast was going forward
briskly when she reached the din
ing room. Mac and Eric both rose
and Mrs. Rosttetor, a plump
motherly looking man, fol-
lowed their example -th ough
lAOAC SAOHlJ.
Brenda, my dear child" she
said warmly.
She took the girl into her en-
brace quite simply; kissed her, in
deed, as if ties of blood as well as
of affection united them.
Il was so sorry about yester-
day." she went on, a mist of emo
ton making her blink. 81 got all
mixed up about the day Of your
coming, and Anne's telegram came
Mac said it didI-after I'd left
the house. / hope ne took good care
Of you? | hope you found every
thing you needed in your room?
Sit here, dearI"
She resumed her own seat and
glanced challengingly about her.
''The last of the Burnhams come
h m e." she announced. "Ti1is
child'S father and aunt were
brought up here-her grandfather
built the house itself ! want you
all" she went on impreSsively, "to
be thinking of some way we can
mark her return to us. The Street
will want to celebrate it,"