The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-07-25

champagne Win dinner. suddenly
he wanted TO be more than just
fabulously rich young man to
these people. He wanted to play
for them; wanted them to know
that he. too, had talent, that he,
too. could do something besides
spend money.
The orchestra on the terrace
stopped playing when he spoke
to them. People paused. wonder
ing, in the middle of a dance
number. Lenore. seeing him cross
the great room toward the piano,
hurried up to him. Her eyes ques-
toned.
I'm going to play my new con-
certo for them, Lenore."
No Mood To Listen
CHE slipped her arm through
- his, OBTAINING him. Not now.
Ricky." she said sharply. They
are in no mood to listen to you.
They've been drinking for hours,
dear, and Gordon, the music
critic, is here. Please. Ricky. don't
do this"
He freed himself and went on.
Lenore held up her hands. BE
quiet. everyone! Mine host win
play for you"
He settled at the piano, let his
narrow, sensitive fingers bring
his creation to life. The silence in
the room held a few moments,
then some girl, gaily intoxicated,
called loudly: Swing it. Rickyi
This is no funeralI"
Someone laughed. Talk began,
swelled. He and his music were
forgotten.
Somehow he got away from the
piano, brushed past Gordon who
sympathized, TITS a d ahmed
shame, KnowlesI' escaped Le-
more, found chair IN a dim re-
cess of the terrace. A long while
he sat alone nursing his wound.
A couple passed him. not seeing
him, stopped few feet away to
lean against the white brick para
pet of the terrace.
IGNORES voice, annoyed. petu-
liant, came to him. How can he
be such an egotiStical fool, Rom
ME? He fancies himself a Pade-
rewski. I've had to sit hours lis
tening to him. pretending inter-
est, dying Of boredom. When |
think of what my married life
will be / could screamI"
The man said. drawing her into
his arms, "a form of mental
cruelty. d e Arrest, which might
serve as grounds for divorce
and aim ony! Don't weaken.
honey. Neither Of us has penny.
Anyhow, I'm being very gener-
Gus, | think. running the risk of
losing you. After all, the chap is
terribly good-looking, even if he
is a bit cracked about music. You
might like being married to him.
| hear yachts and diamonds and
millions aren't hard to takel"
Foolish boy" she chided, and
drew his mouth down to hers,
while the man in the shadows
watched the blending of silhou-
cites against a background of
star-studded sky flushed red by
Neon.
Violence rose up in him. chok-
ing him. He would have liked to
toss both Lenore and Ronnie
Hartlett over the parapet and
watch their bodies hurtle to the
pavement fifty stories below.
But he waited until his guests
had gone before dealing with Lee
more. He took her hand and led
her out on the terrace
Darling" she laughed. and the
bright. hard sound of it hurt his
ears. I'm so dreadfully sorry
about tonight's fiasco. You should
never have tried playing for
them. dear. 1t was neither the
time nor place Ricky. what ais
you? Your eyes-don't look at me
that wayl"
Without speaking he unclasped
her diamond necklace and
dropped 1t into his coat pocket
re d for her hands. She
stepped back. frightened.
What are you doing? Derek
IN heavens name. what's wrong
with you? Have you lost your
mind? You stare at me as If ]
were IA snakeI"
Not a snake" he corrected
evenly. "A snake gives warning
before it strikes" Gripping her
wrists he jerked of the diamond
bracelet. then tore the diamond
engagement ring from her finger.
Her fragile, angelic face con-
torted with rage and fear.
"Derek. are you mad? What have
l done?"
KILLED me-" he said. You're
free now to take your Ronnie, If
he'll have you without my dia-
monds and my money! And you'll
never have to listen to me play
again."
And so he had not bought Le-
more Page. Instead. in early MORN
ing. he boarded a plane for the
west coast. For a time he tried to
| fill the hollownesS inside of him
with liquor II hadn't worked. He
had sailed and swum and danced
with pretty girls while all Of the
time revolt pushed violently in
side of him
Then the great idea had come
TO him as he lay on the sand be-.
fore his rented house at Malihu
Beach. There's nothing left /
want to buy" he reasoned. Death
might be rare and amusing adj
venture and If not-so what?"
! But II so happened a slip Of q
girl interfered.
To be continued.