The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-24
Chapter Six
Bodyguard

1--WE never had seen a seapIane
~ before. It looked beautiful
rocking gently like a silver bird
on the blue water Of the cove
but it looked a little frail, too
And the pilot was not the grizzled
veteran she had expected, but a
young man no older than her.
self.
But Mrs. Marbury was not in
the least dismayed. She smiled al
both of them and fused around
worrying loudly over what had
detained Mr.. Howe.
"Aunt Helen, If Mr.. Howe
doesn't come soon, ] vote we 60
off without him."
"Oh dear, your uncle wouldn't
like that" Mrs. Marbury pro-
tested. "I'm sure he'll be here
soon--isn't that a taxi coming
now?"
There they arei" said Julie
cheerfully.
'"They?" asked the pilot. frown-
ing.
guess there are two Of them,
Mrs. Marbury looking at the
heavy-set figure crossing the road
beside the small fussy lawyer,
could not deny the second mans
presence. "But l don't believe he's
coming with us. (. We're ready
to start, Mr.. Howe" she called.
But they didn't start for quite
a while. Mr.. Howe introduced his
companion as Jim Droissard. "A
young man in my Office" Howe
explained.
The newcomer acknowledged
each name with a jerky bow, as
IL he begrudged the waste Of time.
Mr.. Howe announced that
Droissard was to be one of the
party, and the pilot, after con-
sultation with Harn Willard and
the discovery that there were only
three small handbags, agreed to
take him.
Throughout the discussion, Jim
Droissard did not say a word. He
stood quietly, his square face and
figure as immobile as a rock.
HE looks like a bodyguard,
Gina whispered to Eve.
Neil, overhearing, nodded in
agreement. @I'll bet the bulge on
his hip isn't wallet, either" he
whispered back. mr.. Howe is
evidently prepared for any emer-
gency."
"Come, childrenl" Mrs. Mar
bury, stepping gingerly down the
ramp and, clinging to the pilots
arm, was off to the plane. "The
trip takes about four hours--isn't
that what you said. Mr.. - Mr..
Pilot2 And we're already little
late. My-iSn't this cozyi"
She paused to survey the In
terror Of the plane, while the
others, backed up on the ramp,
waited impatiently. And there
are just four Seats" Mrs. Mar
bury went on. "Mrs. Emerson, you
sit with me. !" Her voice was
lot, as she disappeared inside.
Julie, with silent prayer on
her lips, went in next. As if by
common consent, Neil and Eve
took seats together, while Ham
and his Scotty, Lordy Mac,
crowded into the space next to
Gina. Jim Droissard. still silent,
edged in beside the lawyer.
is this your first trip, Mr..
Droissard?" Mrs. Marbury said
politely.
"No.h
"Well. II isn't for me, either"
She sounded a little dashed. "But
always enjoy flying, don't your"
Jim Droissard was as sparing
with his words as with his ges-
lures.
Romance. From Neil
THEN all at once they were
A humping along the water. and
for one terrible minute. Eve
thought Julie was going to be sick
Her normal pallor was increased
until she looked white as a ghost
and her hands, on the arms of the
seat, were clutched so tightly the
knuckles stretched the skin.
But without warning. the plane
started up, and the bumpiness
gave way TO a long, gliding rise
that could scarcely be felt. Julie
caught Ewes eye and smiled. hel
color returning. The next minute
she was discussing flying with
Mrs. Marbury, as IL she never
travelled any other way.
Eve shook her head adniringly
You had 10 hand IL TO Julie--shg
never let a situation get the best
OF her.
Feel all right?" Neil asked
anxiously. bending toward Eve.
~JuSt fine" she said happily
"Gina, you were a darling 70 in
vito us.
Thank Ham," said Gina care
lesSly. This trip is going 10 cost
him about a months allowance.
II ought 90 learn 10 iy," Ham
said seriously. Il bet twenty-five
years from now. nobody'll travel
any other way"
Maybe III learn too and take
Eve flying in the moonlight" Neil
smiled.
Gosh. Neil--why don't YOU
marry the girl9" Gina said. wink
ing az Eve. @You haven't even
said hello to me. since yon met
her"
You're Just q bras--what do
you know about romancef I'm
waiting for a romantic moment.
Althoughs-he turned to Eve