The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-08-05

y l. -
grateful regard.
Jan ransacked her clothes
closet, then spent the remainder
Of the day cleaning, pressing,
mending, putting into wearable
shape the few good clothes she'd
brought home from school hum
dred years ago, or so it seemed.
She hadn't, she observed with sat-
isfaction, put on any weight, and
most of the clothes needed only
shortening.
Stranger
before dinner that night she
- was ready and anxious to be
gone. DESTROYS to leave behind the
ghost of Derek which haunted
these familiar rooms, to put Derek
himself resolutely cut of her
thoughts.
While she was pairing potatoes
Norma came through the swing
ing door and called out: "a well
come for the stranger, pleased"
Normal" Jan dropped the par
ing knife, wiped off her hands and
Rugged the other girl. Just wait
till Lance sees you-will his eyes
pop!"
Norma, at JAMS direction,
turned slowly around for minute
inspection. Her brown hair Shone
as if proud of its brand new curl.
Experienced hands had left it
long enough to roll across the
back of her neck, and had clipped
and curled a gay top piece which
tumbled enticingly over her high
forehead. Without glasses her
eyes discounted the plainneSs of
her carefully made-up face. She
was most attractive, if not entire
ly pretty. She had bought and
put on a multi-colored peasant
dress with Shirred waist, square
neck and belled skirt. Striped
heellesS sandals were tied with
silly white bows about her slen-
der ankles.
Get the evening paper off the
front room table and take it up
to Lance" Jan suggested. "And
then announce very casually that
you're planning to fly over to Ha-
wall on the Clipper next month";"
"But I'm not" Norma pro-
tested, beWildered.
Norma, you silly, this is prac-
teal psychology! He takes you for
granted. so Startle himI Make him
see you as someone he doesn't
know at all. and if he thinks
you're interested in flying he'll
eat you upi"
Norma, quaking inWardly, fol-
lowed JAMS instructions to the
letter, the result being that Lance
scarcely took his eyes off her dur
ing dinner. Her confidence mount
ing. egged on by JAMS sly nod of
approval, she informed Lance in
her most crisp school teacher
tones that she was taking him to
a moving picture Immediately
dinner was over and if he behaved
well she might allow him a choc-
olate marshmallow sundae after
ward.
Startled into temporary docilitv
he agreed. Frank stayed on to
help with the dishes, as much one
of the family as Neptune.
Frank" Jan said, when the
Kitchen was once more in order,
1 want to leave now while every
one IS out. 1t will be the easiest
way and I'm not in an especially
brave mood. | don't want to an
sWer Roses and Johnny's cues
tons. All this fuss is ridiculous. IT
isn't as if | were going to Bali
or BorneO or some other end of
the earth. If you'll just help me
carry my two suitcaseS over to
the interurban?"
Sure. And I'll phone Ruth. I'll
tell her to watch for a tow-head-
ed sea nymph with blue saucer
eyes"
When Jan stepped off the car al
the city station, feeling strange. q
bit bewildered. already a little
homeSick, she saw a tall. hand.
some. severely but smartly-
dressed woman approaching her
a warm smile on her lips.
Jan Merriner?" she asked.
Jan nodded. You must be Ruth
Cronin. You don't look at all like
Frank"
But you look exactly as
I thought you would" Ruth
laughed. Frank has talked about
you for years and I've planned
and planned TO visit Sea Tide. but
Just never have a minute to dc
anythingl Would you like to STAY
with me tonight? I've a small
place just off Sunset Boulevard
Frank says you are planning tc
stay IN town awhile"
She picked up the larger of
JAMS two SuitcaSeS and Jan fol.
lowed her TO a small, shiny coupe
half a block away. She endowed
being whiSked through bright
thronged streets to the charming
and very home-like apartment on
a knobby purple hill. The floor
length windows opened in and
through the screens Jan could see
the flashing neon signs lighting
the route to Hollywood.
Frank tells me you want
lob?" AT JAMS assent she con-
tinued, Jobs are as scarce as
hens teeth right now. Summer
slump and so forth. What can you
do?"
Not much of anything useful.
I'm afraid" Jan admitted wrylv.
Il call myself an artiSt-at least
/ attended an art school"
Ouch, grimaced Ruth. 'This
town is overlooking with artists.
Ever sold anything? No? Oh.
dear"
To be continued.