The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-12-05
By MEDORA FIELD

Aunt Maggie crumpled on the
floor. Il would mem, too. that I
must pass the coat closet, powder
room and telephone closet under
the stairs, all of which now
doomed ahead as possible har-
bingerS of danger.
Careful to step or the rugs. so
my feet would make no sound, /
chose the nearer door. with only
my candle to light the way down
the long room which seemed to
stretch before me n length
ening distance.
My breath came in such gasps
that | was sure the SounG @Culd
have been audible to Kirk had he
been in the library or anywhere
on this floor; but | stumbled on
ward. the candle dripping wax on
my pet wine-red house coat.
Eventually l came up short
against a black and gold COro-
mandei screen which had been
placed in front of the sofa. When
l had edged around It and finally
held my candle above Aunt Mag
gie's sheet-draped form. l knew
that | was right in suspecting that
the clue of the secret room was
IN some way connected with her
death. And also knew thai : was
too late.
For someone had been there
before me. Someone who had d
troubled to rearrange the sheet
after dragging It away from her
face and shoulders So that her
body was now only half covered.
Both Aunt Maggie's sweater and
her bodice had been roughly dis
arranged. The pockets of the
sweater had been turned inside
out and left that way.
Too Late
: T THIS incongrucus moment,
/ as stood looking down at her,
| thought Of one OF the stories
Aunt Maggie had been fond of
telling. II recOunted the mistOr-
tunes Of a relative who. after the
Civil War got all worn out with
supporting "a lot of free niggers
who wouldn't work"
So ne said to his wife. Well
go 10 Texas and leave them here
TO shift for themselves. Don't say
a word TO a soul. Let everyone
think we are gong on a visit"
Not a word was said to a soul. but
on the day when husband md
wife were ready to depart so
were all the Negroes. And went
right along with them
knew that our servants al
ways seem to know everything
about us and that often they
reach conclusions about our prob
TO do so. Wasn't this why Andrew
was practically the dictator of
our household?
If the servants n several house
holds had known since Friday of
this impromptu house party how
many other peoples servants.
how many other people might
have known, too? 1t was frighten-
ing to consider the pctentialiteS
of that grapevine telegraph.
The more l thought of it, the
more certain | became hat there
WAS something valuable in the
secret room and that someone.
white or black. knew about ii In
the morning l would question
Bessie and Andrew If the person
involved was black. they would
know nothing and l could Ques-
on them until | myself was
black in the face and they would
still know nothing.
IF he was white. they would
likewise LnOw nothing: but #
persisted ard promised protec-
tioE. they might be able TO sug-
gCSt something which would con-
ce.vaoly furnish a clue
Meanwhile l could at least
Straiohten the sheet over Aunt
Maggie. | bent forward. as busy
with my thoughts as l was n try
ing TO manage the candle. hold
back my skirts and arrange the
sheet all At the same time. And.
CT course. l dropped the candle
The light was eXtinguiShed. the
silver candle dish rolled from the
rug onto :he hardwood foOr
under the sofa and II the dark
ness | could not find it.
Remembering that 1 had no
matches anyway. | gave I'D the
search and rising to my feet, de-
cided that | would take the nearer
door this time and thus sooner
reach that beacon of light in the
hall.
Even the small ray Of light that
ShOne IN al the open door at the
far end of the room was hidden
b2 the screen and. turning blind
y. | walked what seemed The
proper distance. hands held on. N
front of me so | would not crash
into the door.
Snatched them beth back
when my right hand encountered
something unexpected. something
which confused and unnerved me
still further until realized II was
curtain and that ! mad crossed
the floor in the wrong direction
This meant that | had reached
a window instead of the door !
knew that il should be simple
enough 10 turn and retrace my
steps. but @oI the duration Of
choking heartbeat / felt as help
less as though lost in he GazeS
Of nightmare and put my hand
/ over my mouth 10 keep from cry
inc ont With nv other hand
gripping the curtain, leaned