The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-03-18

But Joe was paying no atten-
ton. All Of her lghtness was lost
on him. He went on. his hands
lclenched.
"And Lovely baby, if he's
harmed hair of your head I'll
kill him with my own two hands,"
"Say, wait minute" Lovely
was serious. "How do you get
| that way? Who'd hurt me?"
1.-THE guy that brought you up
there. Cert told me. She told me
| he was there for you that night
1--WE went to the pictures. And I
remember seeing his car then but
was too much Of a sap to think
whose it was. But I remembered
he kind of fell for you up here
that day picnicking. So l took the
day off and asked around in Gro
ton. ! found out who he was and
who his girl was too. When /
couldn't find him / went to her.
She wouldn't tell me anything
but girl with her said there was
such a place, as this so / put two
and two together and"
"And made five of it, sap!"
"What do you mean?"
None Of the things you're
thinking of Ne happened, Joe,"
Lovely said BADLY Believe it
or not, ypY 20 eabboonl" She
T'm moi. lsking you kid"
care. All I want is you, back safe
again. Come on, get your gadgets
together. Yesterday isn't soon
enough to get you out of here"
Suppose I told you I didn't
want to 60, Joe?"
Climax
LIE STARED at her in unbelief.
Ii He had thought forgive
ness was all she would ask. She'd
had her escapade. He'd been more
than generous. He loved her too
much to even ask her what hap
pened. All he wanted was Lovely
back in his arms again. He'd sup
posed the bigness of that would
bowl her over and she'd be cling
ing to him, crying.
But she wasn't. She was stand
ing over there looking at him,
smiling still as if she liked him
and didn't want to hurt him, but
with a strange. cool self-posses-
sion.
"But I'm Offering you a we'd
ding ring, honey. Marriage. Ma
said she'd get by somehow. Go
visit relatives up state for a long
time so you and me could have the
fiat and all my money to our
selves"
Lovely could feel tears washing
over her heart.
That's sweet Of your mother,
joe" she said. Some of the tears
had flowed into her voice.
MAS always sweet. Come on,
Lovely. let's get going. I've got
enough money on me to take us
out for a bust for the evening.
Dinner at one of those swell joints
along the road" And as she didn't
reply Immediately: Gee. Lovely.
do you think I don't know how
you want nice things? You'd have
to because you're fitted for them.
/ don't blame you. kid. I just don't
wards"
That's the funny part about
this, Joe, the part you won't be-
level" She was smiling at him.
HE hasn't given me so much as
pin since I've been here. It
isn't that sort of thing" While he
stared at her as if he suddenly
felt himself going crazy. she
added with something of her old
gayety:
"Well, we might as we'll sit
down! There's no profit in keep
ing the weight on the hoof."
And while they sat there look
ing at each other another car
drew into the drive. But this one
stopped noiselessly and the driver
stared at the queer old ialopy.
Roger got out of his roadster
slowly. He was in no mood for an
unpleasant encounter with any of
Lovely's friends but he supposed
that was what was ahead Of him,
and since it was coming he might
as well get it over with.
He knocked at the door. Joe was
startled to see whom Lovely let
in. It was almost as if he had
asked audibly: We'll. does he
knock at the door of his own cot
tage?"
Hello. Roger" Lovely said
easily, almost flippantly. You've
met joe"
Eyes I remember him" No use
going on with any silly pleasan-
tries when you didn't mean them.
I've come up to get Lovely"
Joe apparently felt the same way,
and Roger knew first flicker of
liking for the man. No subter-
fuges. That was good.
"Just like that" From Lovely
with an airy gesture.
"And what does Lovely say
about it," Roger asked.
Il don't believe that makes
much difference. She doesn't
seem 70 be in any state to decide"
Joe said shortly. Shes engaged
to me and she's going back with
me-"
Il think what Lovely wants 10
do makes all the difference"
Roger said politely but Just as
firmly as the other man.
But I'm going to marry her!"
Joe paused. There was something
electric in the air The two men
faced each other forgettul OF the
girl
Finally Roger spoke in a calm
low voice.
And what did you think / in.
tended doing?" he asked.
A start seemed 10 60 vis.bly
through Joe'S BODY.