The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-04-05
Chapter 80
Hugh Chase

q
place New York was for every
now and then on the street, or
shopping, or in a restaurant, she
met someone she had known dur
ing her days with Roger. One day
1t was Mari, and Lovely tried to
pass swiftly without speaking.
Mari caught her arm and held on.
tive moved to town for the
winter and Pm giving a party to-
night Mari said. House warm
ing. Better comel I've asked
Roger"
Lovely was about to refuse
when Mari's laugh challenged
her.
why try to hide? You can't,
you know The world isn't large
enough. Snatch little sophistica-
ton for yourself and face Roger.
Look at Joe and mel l was mad
about that big herman once. Now
/ can look at him without batting
an eyelash."
But Lovely knew she could
never feel that way about Roger
because she'd been playing for
keeps with him. She said:
"You were only fooling Joe all
along. You nearly made a bum
of him"
who are you to talk" demand
ed Mari. Look what you did. You
made a bum out of Emily. And
goodness only knows how many
more you'll ruin before you're
through. You've made a good,
start.p so~ ~,
"But didn't" Lovely started
quickly to defend herself and
then realized it was foolish. Mari
didn't matter anyhow.
Come to my party anyhow"
Mari was saying gaily. II like
girls who can make the men sit
up and take notice"
"All right" Lovely said. "Tll
be there. Thanks Mari"
She would need a new dress.
Maris religion Wa; dress. Besides
this was to be a special occasion.
She must look particularly nice:
be someone to be proud of. She
hesitated about her charge ac-
counts. Roger might have closed
them. Yet that wasn't like him.
She really wasn't pleased with
the idea of charging something to
him. But there was no other way.
The more she thought about the
thing the lighter and happier
efrotry Aay- koarf Che x,,a1 rio u eL
had seen Mari and that Mari had
forced the issue.
Mari's apartment was silver
and cerise and white horsehair |
The dress that she greeted her
guests in was silver and cerise. |
She looked. with her apartment, |
like a page out of courtesan's
fashion book. Lovely, in turquoise
with b wide jeweled girdle.
moved about the smart rooms /
with calm assurance, never get
ting too far from the door.
But the thing she watched for
didn't happen. AS the evening
wore on her smile became set.
She felt that it was a fine crystal |
mask in danger o. cracking any
moment. Hugh Chase was there
and managed always to be flat |
teringly near her. And Hugh used
words as any other man would
use flowers.
Lovely slipped away before the
party had even threatened to
slow up but she left with Hugh a
promise that he might take her
out for cocktails next afternoon.
His marked attention had been
soothing to her hurt vanity. Be-
sides ii was gesture Of defiance
at Roger; but one that hurt more
than 1t helped.
Hugh's Plan
CHE was glad next day when
- Hugh called. He arrived laden |
with orchids that were as near
the golden tone Of her hair as
he could manage,
"How sweet Of YOU E6bely |
said. Hugh was tau, tall as
Roger. She had TO look up to |
meet. the eyes that gazed down |
at her intimately. Yai'nnf
Don't look up at me like that
he said, you sabotage my resoiu-
toni"
why be resolute?" Lovely |
asked with a gay note that did |
not ring quite true.
Hugh looked at her too earn
estly.
'Meen that?" he asked seri- |
ously. "I'm afraid you're Just
saying that with your lips"
Hugh went on. "You might as
well lust wear a pane of glass
over your heart, lady. can read
everything In IL through your
eyes, and its all Roger Cosgrave."
That's bad, isn't it," Lovely
tried TO speak lightly.
THAT depends upon what
you're going TO do about It."
Lovely didn't answer immedi-
ately. When she did finally il was
10 saw in strangled voice:
There's nothing | can do. Hugh.
It's gone beyond that II isn't my
move any more. I'd 20 back on my
knees but how can you so where
you're not wantedg Especially
when you're in lover"
Hugh said nothing more about !
Il. He made mental note OF the |
fact that there was something he |
could do. He owed Roger and |
Lovely something. Finally he had
q chance to pay that debt he had
made BY going up 20 Lovely at
Granny Hale's cottage that dawn /
with Emily's cousin,
sI.ook." he said. Il have 10 stay |
Ia town over tomorrow night I'll /
10 Al a loose end In the evening. |