The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-02-17
Chapter IS
Dinner Party

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Too many unhappy situations had
piled, one on the other, for her
to remain poised much longer.
She slipped from under Johns
hand, it was a warm burden, a
restraint. and smiled at Judge
Franck.
my sister is more accustomed
to stellar roles than l." she said
graciously. "Please accept moth
er's decision. And will you excuse
me, I must see if my reports have
been taken to the barns"
None of those present knew of
her Office. She could find privacy
there. She hurried to it and
dropped the steel latch, and then
she sought to face her problems.
They whirled around in her
mind like a squirrel in a cage;
Pedro, John, the family. If only
she had told Pedro everything. If
only she had written John about
Pedro. She hadn't, each was total
ly unprepared for the other.
And the family. Time and dis
lance had softened her memory
Of their unified selfishness.
SIT isn't that wanted to be
leading lady at the fiesta, it's :. i.
mother and everyone thinking I'm
untitled; and why?"
Moments of bitterness passed
TO turn bittersweet with memory
of that last hour with Pedro, the
touch of his hands and lips.
What must he have thought to
see her. suddenly. in the arms of
a stranger who spoke to her as
though this embrace were a nat
ural thing? What would she have
felt were the situation reversed?
She knew, and she thought
Pedro felt the same.
"I'll see him soon, maybe this
evening after dinner slip out
and tell him everything. And I'll
tell John l love Pedro, that of
course l won't marry him. but"
"Seen or = eet a Con-cheetu, %
sang Dolores from under the
window. II have rap on your door
bot you do open it not. Now
tell you. The Sonora say we have
the guests to dinner. Weech dress
do you wear, seiorita?"
Guests? Already?
do you know who is coming.
Dolores?"
"The Sefors Taylor. weech
dress?"
"Oh," murmured Constance
vaguely. II don't know
I'll be right in, Dolores"
The Seniors Taylor, and before
she had time to talk to either
Pedro or John. She must look
her best. She must be as desir-
able as possible to Pedro. appeal
ing to John.
who says women dress TO
please women?" she thought as
she reached her room. Dolores,
have the boys bring water for
my bath"
"But Sefiorita. there is none.
Already the Sonora. the Seforita
bonita, the Senior pon and the
Senior John, they have been in
the bath. There ISIS bot one TIKI
kittle left"
"Then for goodness sakes bring
the tik-kittle before Juliano de-
sides he wants it."
Constance stood before the
wardrobe wondering trhy she had
brought so few clothes with her:
srhp she had thought so little of
clothes in the east: tphy she had
bought nothing, not even a shoe
lace, with the fateful fifty-thou-
sand?
Dolores, Juliano will have
fires, will he not?" she asked. and
Dolores came in with the tea
kettle. "And can you run out and
pick me a nice fat bunch of white
violets?"
Pleading Chances
THE dress was of purple chiffon
4 simple and Grecian In line, .
pleated scarf serving for sleeves
With white violets at the high
belt, and a few caught with clips
that held her long bob back from
a center part, she felt she was
dressed for the role she must
play.
NThe men do not bot dress Gen.
formal" Dolores contributed, "bot
the Sefiorita bonita, I have take
for her the ranculaS of red, orange
and white and she weave of them
the band for her hair, and the
dress she wear, Seflorita Conchita
IL have no back and is like the
sun"
Constance scarcely listened
They were waiting for her. She
slipped her toes into silver san
dals. dabhed violet scent on ear
lobes and brows, and hurried Il
the great room Of the house.
Purple frock merging with the
shadows. Constance stood a mo.
ment at the threshold watchint
the scene, wondering at the chill
Of apprehension which trickleC
through her heart like tears.
Candelahras clustered about Tn
far end where the great wooc
fire augmented their feeble light
and there was Donna. as Dolore.
had said. In a dress like the sun
golden yellow, blllowy sleeve.
caught in great puffs just below
her shoulder. hillowing skirts lift,
ing with each vivacious move
wreath OF ranacuias liza ray,n,
against the blue black Of her hair
And then Constance saw he
sisters face, the highly srched
slender hrows, the heavy lids tht
delicate patrician nose. and III
wide, hungry red Of her lips. lip
lifted audaciously to the man wis
laughed down at her; Pedro.