The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-07-27

pGIlSS. just yOu 1OTSGL all ABOUT
it until you hear one way or the
otherI"
For the duration of the after
noon she worked hard at forget
ting, but she could not dampen
the Joy leaping in her. exhilarat-
ing her. making her eyes glow
with creative satisfaction -
However. her dinner compan-
ions succeeded in dampening
some of her fiery excitement.
Norma, so meek and mild, picked
at her food like a dispirited
mouse. while Lance fairly bolted
his food. determined, Jan thought,
to get away from Norma and back
to the possibility Of seeing Rose
as soon as it was humanity pos
Sible. she attempted to carry on
table conversation. Derek help
ing, but no one could possibly
carry on conversation with two
people who behaved as if they
were both deaf and dumb.
Norma did not go into Lance's
room any more. She sat in the
living room or up in her bedroom
with her knitting, her school pa
pers, and her heartbreak. No men,
ton of movies was made. No men,
ton of Rose unless Lance did the
mentioning. Lance even permit
ted Derek to carry him upstairs
on nights when Frank was late In
order. they all knew. to see Rose
alone.
"Pll help you with the Dishes"
Derek offered after taking Lance
upstairs. I'm bursting with a sur
prise, young Merrirer, and I'm
not good at keeping secretsl"
Tell me quick. then. / don't
want you bursting in my clean.
respectable kitchen"
Not until the dishes are DONE"
he stipulated.
r:Bother the dishesl" she scoffed.
''Tell me now, and if it's good
enough, the dishes can wait till
morning"
you and l." he declared por-
tentously, "are going on a spree
tonight. Now, wait a minute, let
me finish. I've saved six dollars to
blow on the roller coaster, the
fun house, the shakespeare ship,
the flying circuS-on everything
including hot dogs and six dances
for a quarter. Now get into your
best trappings, wench. and away
we gol"
Her eyes sparkled. Bring on
your golden hariot Prince
Charming, and I'll be ready for
the ball in a jiffyl" She skipped
for the stairs, so happy that she
bubbled over and sang with it.
Borrow Something
D OSE called to her as she sped
IN through the upper hallway.
Jan turned back reluctantly, fore
ing herself to be civil to this wo-
man who was causing her so
much concern. Yet Rose had
charm and a fortnight smile
which continually diSarmed her.
made her want to believe that
Rose was not malicious nor cruel.
but only selfish and thoughtless.
your eyes, JAM" she asked. and
smiled.
Anticipating an evening of fun
on the pier. l wish 1 had some
thing new and intriguing to
wear"
"Derek?"
Jan nodded. "Then," Rose Of
fered. borrow something of
mine I've loads of sport things"
ooh. no. 1 couldn't do that. I'll
make out all right. Thanks.
though"
Nonsense, childl Come in and
pick out something" She took
hold of the younger girls arm and
urged her into the room. Search
ing through the deep clothes
closet crammed full with clothes
and wraps and shoes she brought
out a blue and white checked
sport suit of summer tweed and
thrust it in JAMS arms.
1T ought to fit" she considered.
ITS too short and too tight for
me. If you like it you may have it.
Now for a hat" she opened
cream leather hat box and took
out a rakish felt of blue which
matched the suit. TRY them on
in here and let me see you" she
requested. I'm supposed to meet
Johnny at the Club for dinner al
Seven-thirty. but it won't hurt
him TO wait awhile. I'm not tres
passing on your territory by using
Johnny as escort, am n"
No" Jan wanted to refuse the
clothes; she didn't wish to be in.
debted to Rose for favors. but her
feminine desire for pretty new
trapplngS overruled her distrusi
OF Rose. She unbuttoned her gay
yellow smock and stood before
the older woman in the plain
cheap undertakings which had
been Numbered and mended past
all color and fit.
Jan. you've a perfectly proper
toned body" Rose commented
with sure. imperSonal judgment.
How on earth do you keep so
trim?"
Jan flushed. embarrassed by
this frank scrutiny. Running up
and down stairs a hundred times
a day, | guess" she said hurrying
into the checked suit. Rose pro-
vided white crepe blouse with
a tailored bow at the high neck
line. pulled the coat down, but
toned it and turned Jan around
for inspection.
II guess il won't do" Jan
fal:crod. disappointed, for the suit
nav have been small for Rose.
- i VS. large for her