The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-06-27

lamb, that in this state Hugh could
have divorced me for desertion if
he'd wanted to. Will you believe
/ didn't know that until just the
last week or so in New York;"
NONSENSE You know he'd never
have done 1T"
I'm not so sure" was the sober
reply. Hugh can be hurt and then
angry just SO long; then he simply
goes away in his mind from the
person or subject that has dis
pleased him. IF he'd gone away
from mel" She shuddered.
Brenda's somber eyes did not
brighten at might easily have
been that my meddling frightened
you awayl | can't understand,
looking back at it now, how can
have been such an obnoxious little
fool"
"You weren't a fool, and you
couldn't be obnoxious if you tried!
You came here, Burnham, and
everybody on The Street simply
dumped their troubles in your lap,
and like the sweet child you are,
you did your best to help. And in
most cases, you did help, tool Look
at the WickS! Look at Mrs. Arnold,
so delighted that Dcrothy's short
hair IS unbecoming that she's Civ
ing the girl more liberty than she
has in years. The twins and Ned
Barrow are simply ecStatic over
the greenhouse. Even the Ponson-
huc oro hri0hfanaI M ~, fka.~
cent iabors in Adelaide's behalf.
So cheer up, my dear. and give
those dimples of yours little ex-
erciSe else they'll forget how to
tWinkleI"
But Brenda only smiled absent
ly and murmured something about
getting back to her work.
You and Mac are better friends
than you used to be, aren't your"
Adelaide had asked that morning.
I'm so gladl You never quarrel
any more"
No Gay Teasing
MO. THEY never quarreled any
l ' more. Mac inquired politely
how her work had gone, she
evinced a courteous interest in the
advertising business. But between
them there rose every day a wall,
composed of impersonalities, ce-
mented by formality. No gay teas
ing on Macs part now. no furious
RACES on Brenda's. They might
have been strangers, trifie over
considerate Of each others feel
ings.
Adelaide was pleased, Isobel too
absorbed in her tenor to be OBJ
servant: only the sharp-eyed Eric
noticed, and presently took Bren-
da to task.
Whats the matter with you and
Mac?" He detained her as she
started up the stairs one evening
when Isobel had driven away with
Mac: Been fighting?"
Certainly not"
why not?"
She was not too subdued to raise
lronical brows at this question.
why should WEI"
You used to - from the first
hour you met, as I remember.
What happened? No, you don't,
my dear" He intercepted her as
she started again for the hall.
You don't evade me like that.
I'm your friend, and Macs. If any
things gone wrong I'm the guy
who can put it right" he finished
grinnine cheerfullv
IF you have the sense God gave
you, you won't tryl" she flashed
with touch of her old spirit. "All
you'll accomplish is getting people
to hate you-think you're med
dier-a fool that steps in where
angels fear to tread. :"
He gave a low whistle. $50 that's
It'll Gosh, I didn't know old Mac
was an outright moroni"
Hes not a moronl Eric, you
make me sick! You who knew
Mac She stopped abruptly at
his sudden grin. sits this" she
said more quietly. 81 did some
thing-well, disgraceful; and Mac
knows about it. That's why he"
Listens for your step coming
downstairs, and then pretends to
be deep in the newspaper when
you come inl Manages always to
see you have your favorite chair,
remembers that you like cream
and no sugar in your coffee
Though Adelaide frequently for
gets it'll, is never unaware Of you
a moment that he's in the housed
Great Scott. how the fellow must
hate you'll"
Despite herself the ice was
breaking up in Brenda's heart. She
could almost feel the warm blood
pouring into places which had
been frozen since Adelaide's con-
fession.
Other forces were at work upon
her, too. The natural residence of
youth was asserting itself. She
had done mental penance for her
sins: now she would throw of de-
preston and be happy again.
That's more like It." said Eric
approvingly. First time the dim
pies have had a good workout in
agesi I like that pink In your
cheeks. too. Why don't you wear
it all the timer"
1T isn't pink, it's a bright GRIM
sonl I'm blushing in emharrass-
ment over your idiotic insinua-
tionsl"
HIM. I'll keep on making EN-
then. ] thought girls had lost the
art Of blushing."
Eric's nonsense remade the
world for her for the time being.