The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-02-25
Chapter 80
Field OF Scarlet

that Taylor didn't sell?" asked
John.
'I'm sorry because, aside from
me, no one wants this ranch as
passionately as he does. Yet, I'd
sooner lose it fighting, than have
someone else save it for me-"
Constance said.
Raskthorne shook his head.
"There's only one like you, Con-
chita. All right, dear, I'll stand
by. Good luck"
Constance talked to Meg that
afternoon because she had tele-
phoned the commissary that she
must have butter "immaydiately.'
No boy being present, Constance
took it to the managers house,
carefully going to the kitchen
door
Come in," ordered Meg fret
fully.
She was making cinnamon
rolls. She fattened the raised
dough with a malicious motion of
the pin, busted it with sugar and
cinnamon, then began dotting it
with butter.
"I have to find something that
fool boy will eat" she COM
planned. "Of his feed he is, for
the farsi sine since his mither
died"
Constance sat on high stool
as Meg rolled the dough. Hope
you'll look in on Peter while I'm
away" she said.
where are you going?"
"San Francisco" we're d
Meg. Didn't you know? Pedro
is drivin' your sister down. l go
along as chaperon."
Constance clutched the stool.
The kitchen was spinning around
dizzily. The stove stood on its
pipe; the ceiling was where the
floor should be. Pedro had asked
her to 60 to San Francisco once
with Meg as a chaperon, for
the three days which must elapse
between filing of intention to wed
and the wedding.
"H-how long" stammered Con-
stance, will you be away?"
Meg slapped the ribboned rolls
into a pan. '"Three days." she said.
"Pll be comm home alone on the
train. If you're to be in Beach
port that day, Pm hopin' yell
pick me up"
In the time it took Meg to put
cinnamon rolls into pan and
slide them into the oven. Con-
stance reviewed her future. One
of two things: marriage to JOHN,
weighted down with his kindness,
passively accepting his wealth
until her spirit curdled Within
her; or an emaciated spinster,
brightly coy. selling dove cotes to
prospective neWly-weds.
There, now" Meg Strengthened
up from the oven. busted her
hands and smiled at Constance.
'I'm going to wash my hands and
put on fresh apron. I'll put the
coffee pot on. and we'll have a
hot roll before you CO."
Constance sat because she
thought her limbs wouldn't hold
her upright. The tea kettle chuck
led. The kitchen clock licked, and
Constance lived a lifetime.
"Now then" Meg was back in
fresh gingham. Mice fresh coffee;
nothin' like it, pet"
They sat at the end of the table
with a tea towel spread for their
cups. The rolls were hot. rich and
spicy. They tasted like wood to
Constance.
Coin to Confession when I'm
down there" Meg confided
Faith, and my souls fair pitted
with the sin of me thoughts, these
days"
"Sins? You. Meg?"
'Quarreling'
MEG nodded solemnly. "Wantin
WI to take a hand where
shouldn't. Peter and Pedro quar-
relin' like they niver have in theil
life. Peter calm Pedro ant
/ shouldn't say the words. anC
Pedro calm his father a weak
kneed ould blatherskite to Ii
wimen folk draw the wool ovel
his eyes"
"W-What are were they
quarreling about? Or shouldn't
ask?"
Faith, and I don't know
sighed Meg. well, maybe thi!
trip will cool Pedro off. He's goin
down for Petersen; goin' to picl
up a crowd of ranch workers anc
bring thin back. That sister ;
yours heard him maxim arrange
ments and she got hersilf a ridt
down. though he said he wouldn'
bring her back"
ConStance's white teeth Gu
through the warm bun Meg
these are the most delicious roll!
| ever tasted"
Glad you like them. pet. Here
I'll wrap up few for you Sake
alive. it's time for US at tht
dairy"
Constance arrived at the barns
slim. gay. face bright. and mouth
literally crusted with sugar ant
cinnamon. It was gloriou!
world.
Pedro. watching the patrol o
cows aulbling into the barns afte
being brushed; inspecting Manu-
elo and Francisco. Bobo and Car
los; Pascal Luis and Labarta: AM
finding them immaculate. though
rehellious, he turned TO Con
stance.
Better wash your face" he ad
viSed.
Constance was too happy TO D
rebufed- She felt she had re
ceived an eleventh hours re