The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-01-25
Chapter Seven
The Next Blue Moon


THERE'S Trenton, Suep said
II Allen, as she entered the
room.
Eyes. He was here when / came
in while ago. / hope Maggie has
something nice for dinner. Allen
should have called me so | could"
"Oh. he'll be content with pot
luck" Aller. said calmly. 'Tn
brush up Bit you two, and be
right out!"
"Sue, I'm sorry"
She had had time to gain con-
troll of herself. You're not, of
course" she informed him serene
ly. "but it doesn't matter at all. /
shall know what to expect from
now on, and take pains to guard
myself against repetition of such
a scene" She realized with youth
full satisfaction that he was puzzled
by her new composure. That was
the right note, she thought eXul-
family: poise, calmneSs, an air of
quiet superiority. He would not
know how to combat that.
All through dinner she felt she
had the upper hand. A glance from
beneath the long fringe of her
lashes would halt his ready speech,
make him stumble and turn red.
Or. if he boldly essayed the part
of aggres or and piled her with
questions a trifle too personal for
her taste, she turned them aside
with gentle dignity. Allen grew
amused and was content to watch
the little comedy played with him
self as sole spectator.
"Date tonight, Sis?" he asked
when the table had been cleared
and the two men had lighted their
cigarettes.
Trenton said quickly: Eyes. She
promised me several days ago to
see the new picture at The Mis-
souri,. Amy time you're ready,
Sue!"
She leaned back, crossing her
silken ankles with IN air of in
finite leisure.
'Tm so terribly sorry, Bob!
D'you know | completely forgot
I'd promised to see that with you.
Barbara and went this afternoon.
And" she was quick to forestall
the words she knew lowered on
his lips. at tired my eyes bit,
too. In fact" her guileleSs smile
included both men-"I'm so sleepy
I can hardly keep my eyes open!
! was just thinking how lucky it
is that you're Aliens guest to-
night" One small hand came up tc
pat back a most convincing yawn.
up late four nights in succession!
I'm going to have &c reform, or else
stop getting up to have breakfast
with you, Buddy"
Allen half closed one eye against
the thin spiral of blue smoke.
"You don't look sleepy, Sue.
You look-scintillating; doesn't
she, Bob? Your eyes sparkle like
the decorations on Christmas
tree"
appearances are deceitful,
then" She rose sedately, and
nodded toward them both. Don't
bother to keep your voices down,
If you want to talk business. |
could sleep en- a railroad track. ]
think. Goodnight"
Spice
THE weeks, the months, fed
L gail. for Sue Davenport. Never
had she packed into them 50 many
activities. She would not admit
that Bob Trenton's unflagging pur-
suit of her gave spice to her days
He was no more to be Snubbed
than the sunshine, to be discour-
aged than the approaching winter.
He arrived cheerfully with Allen
several times a month for dinner.
He called Sue daily. varying the
time so that she never knew when
to expect his gay Hello. Sue!"
He cut in regularly wherever she
danced, he happened" to be
parked before her door when she
set forth for a solitary walk. his
flowers came on every possible
occasion.
Since he insisted on more or less
public reference to his intentions.
She adopted the protective mea-
sure of making a joke of the whole
affair.
Here's your intended, Sue!" a
girls voice would hail her gaily
from the group about the fire at
the Country Club.
Eyes, here ! am, Sue dar!ing!"
Bob would 4nfold his long length
and advance with Outstretched
hands to meet her.
'"Lo, Bob!" She always gave one
hand-the right hand-a signifi-
cant shake: friendly but definitely
casual. She had merely fieeting
smile for the crowds gliding COM
ments. And as time went on, and
Christmas plans were in the air,
and the expected announcement
Of the engagement was not forth
coming people ceased 20 take the
matter seriously. It became one OF
the stock jokes, one of the poses
which went to the making OF q
more or less stable foundation for
the towns social structure.
"When's the wedding to be,
Sue?" some one might demand
when lull fell in hectic eve
ming.
AT the full of the next blue
moonm