The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-28
7l S2 7lSs
By Jean Randall

%Oh, yes, he's to be asked; but
leave 1t to Adelaide to ice the in
vitation so he's sure TO refuse It /"
ooh, I hope he won'tI" The
words burst from her before she
realized their undue emphasis.
Mac looked surprised. do you
know SaltuS?"
She shook her head, smiling.
But know his clever cartoons
I've been looking forward to
meeting him.,
In that case, I'll invite him
myself" Mac promised.
He was as good as his word, and
when the evening of the party
came, Hugh Saltus, to Adelaide's
secret indignation, arrived with
the earliest of the guests. He was
tall, loOse-joined man with a
singularly sweet smile, and, con-
tradictorily, cynical eyes.
Il hear you're willing TO be my
social sponsor, Miss Burnham,"
ne said. 1--WE been wanting to see
the inside of this house ever since
/ moved onto The Street; but for
some reason I've not been in
cluded in this closed corporation"
He sent an amused glance about
the big room, crowded now with
his neighborS. Mac said you in
terceded for me, and got me an
invitation for tonight"
She smiled at him charmingly.
But it's I who have wanted to
meet you'll Your cartoons have in
terested me ever since I was old
enough to understand them"
They fell into friendly talk.
Brenda was delighted to find in
the artist a witty conversational
ist, and a person of varied inter-
eSts. She promised herself many
hours with Saltus and told him so
quite frankly.
You're Burnham," ne sighed.
Il suppose you can smash the
rules. ! can't, you know"
What on earth do you mean?"
He glanced toward Mrs. RoSt-
tetor, surveying them disapprov-
ingly.
No Love Lost
I'm NOT popular with your
L landlady-nor with any of the
women on The Shortest Street.
Don't ask me why: I could cite
far too many reasons, I suppose.
But Mac and DR.. Wilson - the
Judge-they drop into my studio
now and then for cigarette and
talk" He looked at her smiling
ly, eyebrows lifted.
I'D love to come sometime, If
may" Brenda spoke composedly.
Fresh from New York and more
particularly from weeks spent in
Greenwich Village, she did not
grasp the importance of The
Streets diSapprOval of Saltus.
The evening on the whole was
a heart-warming occasion to the
girl. There were many present
who remembered her mother and
her Aunt Anne. 1t amused and in
tereSted her to hear them spoken
of as if they were still blue-SaShed
little girls, busy with books and
toys. Old Judge Harper related
with many chuckle an episode
of Aunt Anne'S girlhood; Mr.. Van
Ness had kind things to say of
Grandfather Burnham.
The girl began to feel warmly,
intimately a home; 20 look for
ward to her year Of work on The
Street Even the supper, with the
big plates piled high and tail glass
tCublers Of iced coffee. seemed to
fit IN with the hOSpitable, friend
ly spirit of the occasion. Before
she realized it, she had promised
to lunch with DR.. Wilson and his
daughter, to dine next week with
the HarperS. to spend a whole day
at the VanNeSSeS. tive hon.
eStly lost track" she said at last
when one of the two timid spin
SterS who lived across the street
sided up to put in a request for
her company soon. Dear Miss
PonSonby, I've honestly lost track
of what I'm to do for the next ten
days! Will you be very kind to me
and let me get Strengthened out
before ! let you know? You're all
sc kind to met"
ISobel Burke, watching her mar
rowly for any sign of condescen-
sion or boredom, had to admit
that the girl from New York was
enjoying herself. Brenda'S cheeks
were flushed, her dimpleS were
visible I'm oSt constantly. The
heat had curled her hair tightly
about her white forehead, and her
eyes shone like blue stars at the
compliments. s1
Mice child, isn't she?" Eric
commented, coming to stand by
Isobel. Il think she's going to be
a distinct addition to our little
household, Ell, 1Sobel?" He sent
her glance tinged ever so slight
ly with friendly malice. Mac has
done nothing but beam in her di-
rection all evening. Better tell her
you've Staked out a claim there,
my dearI"
She sighed unconsciously. "She's
Macs sort all right. Hugh's, too,
it appears. Why, oh, why, wasn't
| born with a pair of dimples and
curls like a baby cherub's?"
And temper like Old Nick's,"
Eric chuckled, watching Brenda's
smile change as Mac murmured
something in her ear. my word,
she doesn't appear to have any
love for our advertising man. does
she? In spite of his own-shall we
specialization toward her!"
They watched the little scene
with interest: Macs urgent, hur-
ried words; Brenda'S quick dis
pleasure; the young mans event
ual departure, his lean face color
ing with anger.