The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-06-01

VanNess would have been select
ed as its bearer rather than Judge
Harper.
Good afternoon. Judged" She
gave him both her hands as he
rose little stiff1y. Her apprehen-
sions returned as she saw how
troubled was his face. as - has
Aunt Anne"
Old Judge Harper might be
stiff in his joints, but his r.,cntel
faculties were as alert as ever. He
said swiftly: my dear child, /
am not the bearer of bad news!
1 haven't had a word from your
aunt. It's IA neighborhood mat
ter on which I've come to con-
suit YOU"
"Me?" She spread one small
hand over her heart and her dim
Piles flashed. "Oh, Judge Harper,
am to be consulted about neigh
borhood matters already? I'm so
fattered!"
He looked somewhat abashed.
II you-it's partly because
you're a stranger, my dear. and
and young. / must be honest with
you. Isobel Burke is young. too,
but she's too familiar with the sit
uation. She thinks I'm forever
crying wolf! WOLFF and perhaps
l ann" The old eyes under their
wrinkled lids sought hers implor-
ingly.
"Tell me about it." she invited.
He glanced toward the door.
eff you don't object tc my clos
ing it? Not that. Adelaide and
everybody else in The Street isn't
aware of the facts. but I'd like to
present them to you without
without comment"
When the door was safely shut,
he began briefly.
It's the Alternately twins
Alaine and Abner. They've had
one of their quarrelS again"
Brenda interrupted. despite her
respect for the old man.
Secrets OF The Street
"pUT I thought they were so
ID devoted to each otherI /
thought they. hardly left the
house except in each others COM
pany!"
Even the most devoted per-
sons quarrel" was the somewhat
dry answer. "And usually their
quarrels are more bitter than
those whose attachment is casual.
Every now and then Alaine and
Abner have really dreadful
well, one might as well call them
rows. l suppose. When they were
quite young it didn't matter; they
threw things at each other. then
kissed and made up. But now"
'NoW?" Brenda prompted.
ITS more serious In fact. it's
very serious. l i. feel disloyal.
telling you about this. Brenda,
but after all you're a Burnham-
you have a right TO know the Sc
crets of The Street" He looked
down at his hands. locked tightly
on one knee. Suddenly aware of
this evidence of agitation, he
loosed them. let them drop at his
sides.
"Alaine has a young man." he
said simply. "A sutton. Abner
detests him, whether with reason
or from fraternal jealousy / don't
know. Alaine pays little attention
to him except when she quarrels
with Alb. Then she sends for him
his name is Ned Barrow-and
threatens to marry him. Eric and
Isobel-in fact. practically every
body on The Street. insist it is
merely bluff; that she will never
do it. But Alb gets into panic
about it and comes to me; and l.
I'm an old fool" he said. smiling,
but I get disturbed. too"
'Why?" she demanded. Don't
you want Alaine to marry? Or do
you know something against this
Mr. Barrow?"
He shook his head. Not thing
in the world! | don't want her to
marry him because she doesn't
love him. That's plain enough,
isn't it? Or she'd see him when
she's not quarreling with Alb? A
marriage entered into out of re-
venge - in anger - has small
chance of producing happiness. it
seems to me"
"Of course. You're perfectly
right, Judge. Alaine mustn't mar
~ this Barrow-unless she de-
cides to while she's at peace with
her twin. But what can ! do
about it?"
"You can come and talk to her
now" was the unexpected reply.
Hes waiting while she packs"
Waiting at the A Alternately
house. you mean?" Her tone was
incredulouS.
Yes. She and Alb had one of
their worst rows right after lunch.
couldn't help hearing them - ]
never can help it in the summer
time with the windows Open" he
said unhappily. And when I saw
young Barrow drive up a few
minutes ago ! was entirely pre-
pared for Abs dashing in TO inn
plore my help. | can't force my
way into the child's bedroom. So"
he concluded trustfully. Il came
right to you"
Brenda's eyes had been grow
ing wider and wider as she lis
tened to this preposterous tale.
Now she exclaimed with a little
gasp; But, Judge. I've only met
her oncei Shed have every right
to order. me out-if / went barg-
ing into her house, let alone into
her room"
Does that matter If we keep
her from doing so foolish a
thing?"
The sheer simplicity of the
question caught her breath. He