The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-06-10
Chapter IS
Temporary Comradeship

QRENDA'S eyes narrowed, all
the laughter gone. Was this
one Of the queer cases one read
about? Maud VanNess talked and
looked like a character out Of an
ONeill play. All very well to dis
cuss them In the abstract, these
characters, read about them; an
entirely different thing to be sit
ting In the same room with one,
listening to her raving. Brenda
rose decisively.
I'm afraid can't give you any
advice, Miss VanNeSS. I've never
encountered the difficulty which
appears to be bothering you. And
really must 60 nowl"
Back In her own room she re-
viewed the conversation incredu-
ouSly. It simply could not be- Old
maids like Maud VanNeSS didn't
exist out of plays and books.
AUNT Anne told me I'd find
The Street an interesting place, ="
she unused, 'but she didn't warn
me that it was entirely inhabited
by freaks"
Her conscience smote her at
that last word. ISObel wasn't a
freak, nor Eric, mormon Mac;
certainly not Hugh Saltus, nor
kindly Adelaide, nor even the
foolish twins.
In her preoccupation she had
forgotten TO close her door and
now she was interrupted by tap
on it. Mac stood in the hall, smil-
ing at her.
"You? This early in the after
noon?"
81. I've just bought a car" he
informed her. mot a lordly new
one like SaltuS's, but darned
good car, for all that. Will you
come for a little ride with me and
try il out?"
She hesitated. Here was beau
tiful chance to snub the man
whom she had told Hugh she cor
daily disliked; but her luncheon
with Maud VanNeSs had spoiled
her day, she was tired of thinking,
the prospect of driving through
the late afternoon allured her.
She caught up her hat and fol-
lowed him.
81 didn't know you were con-
sidering buying a car" she said.
APm a creature of impulse" he
informed her gravely. Il was busy
with the layout for our Complete
College Outfit when suddenly the
notion struck me and out l darted
and picked up this little model"
Il thought there was a lot of
red tape about buying cars-i-
censes and titles and things like
that"
THAT can all be attended to to-
morrow. The fellow that sold me
the car wanted me to try it out
anyway"
She glanced at him sharply.
Something-some extra note of
cheerfulneSs in his voice. some
heeting air of nonchalance in his
manner-aroused her suspicion.
'Macl"
"Golly, Brenda, don't yell at
me like that! darn near ran into
nat truck"
MAC, did Adelaide tell you l
was having lunch with Maud
VanNeSs?"
'One Swell Sport
LIS eyes were too innocent, his
i Il tone too surprised.
"Why on earth should she tell
me that, Brenda? Did you have
a nice heart-to-heart with the fair
Maud?"
81 believe Adelaide did" the
girl said slowly. more to herself
than to her companion. Il believe
you made up your mind that I've
been getting too large a dose of
The Street-of its anxieties and
peculiarities. / believe you
brought me out TO distract me-"
He looked like a small boy
caught with streaks of jam on his
face.
LI-but I've been needing a
car" he protested. you can ask
Isobel-you can ask Erie if /
haven't talked about getting onel
I suppose Maud told you about
the Judge?"
Brenda nodded. Eyes. the poor
foolish womanl ! wish there was
something could do TO help herl"
To her establishment he drove
the car close to the curb, stopped
il and turning, took both her
hands in his.
Brenda, you're one swell SPORT
To take it like that, / mean. Lots
Of girls-moSt Of them, in fact
would merely make fun of poor
old maid like Maud. / apologize
for anything ! ever said about
your writingl Anybody as sweet
and understanding of human ma
ture as you've proved yourself
since you came here is certainly
cut out for a firstclass authorl"
She felt herself glowing with
pride, partly because of Macs
praise of her. partly necauSe he