The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-10-15
Chapter Nine
Pursuit

Tor her when Antoine came in.
What are you en- the pfowl
for" Antoine asked.
Looking for PAM" Jerry re.
piled
Antoine stopped beside Jerrv
He was glad he had not been
asked if he had seen Pam. AZ Il
was. ne could keep PANS conf
dence by merely saying nothing
Though something about that
m q \ m uncomfortable. II
seemed not quite right.
Il don't know what your idea
IS about that girl, Jerry" he he
gan thoughtfuly, oppressed hv
the feeling he should do same.
thing. go
And Jerry. tried to the lini, of
MS endurance by Freda's willful-
ness. turned on him quickly
Must tell you love HerS'' he
demanded sharply
Antoine glanced at him. trvina
70 understand. We'll. Won DOM
have 10 love a highbali 10 enioy
tantly.
1T isn't that sort of thing"
antoine wondered if that was
the time to tell Jerry Pam had
gone home crying. Or was If kind
er TO keep PANS confidence? He
was SO in the dark. Besides. he
was vaguely aware of Something
within, himself that had been
hurt. Pam was lovely. She was
like song. A love song. With her
nearby he might compose some OF
the things he'd wanted to. The
sweet beautiful tranquility of
her-but Romero was looking at
INN. He'd better 90 up and take
the baton. He was glad Jerry
meant right, anyhow.
Without speaking again, Antoine
moved away. Jerry had forgotten
him and was searching the place
freda caught sight of him.
You look wild-eyed." she said.
and stopped him as he would
have passed her. Dance with me.
darling. I'm bored limp. Besides.
I've quite forgotten and forgiven
your foohShness of a moment
ago. I'm q smart girl, Jerry.
know there's no futility like be-
ing bitter. And so. with me. wa
ter under the bridge is just-well.
water under the bridget"
Jerry's answer was to ask If
Freda had seen Pam.
No. darling, | haven't seen
your island fiowerI Maybe she's
out buggy ashing with some
local swami"
Don't be like that" Jerry ex-
claimed sharply. This isn't the
moment for wise cracks. Besides.
that mood isn't becoming to you"
rs my darling worried about
the little ConchI"
IF | didn't know it war Cuba
lbre talking. I'd slap you for that,
Fredal JeTry's voice was shak-
ing with anger. And don't say
Conch in that tone of voice. Some
OF the incest people on this island.
arIStocrats in more ways than one,
are Conch." Jerry paused a mo-
Tnent to look intently at Freda.
II you were smart, you'd take a
leaf from their book. girl. With
their natural charm and decency
and your beauty, you might go
places"
You can't talk 10 me like that,
Jerry. and get away with it. 4"
Freda's voice too was sharp.
You asked for il Jerry started
to move on but Freda caught the
lapels of his jacket.
You're not leaving me like
this she said
Let go! You're making
scene
Not nearly as much scene as
you're making with that little
Conch. You've carried your joke
far enough now. ! won't have you
make me laughing stock"
I'm not. You're doing il your
self. You've been drinking too
much.
When is too much?"
YOU should know" He started
on. but Freda chung to his arm.
At his car she slipped in as he
opened the door, before he could
stop her.
Desperate Girl
"CET out Of that CARP Jerry
" commanded. Freda's only re-
ply was an insolent giggle. Jerry
reached in and took hold of her.
but Freda turned limp. Up to her
old tricks, thought Jerry. He
knew If he dragged her out of the
car. she would merely fall in a
heap at his feet. her evening
gown billowing about her like a
little mound of fluff
Jerry had seen her do that
when she was a child and her
nurse tried TO get her TO do some
thing or started 10 correct her
That had been a weapon she had
used effectively all her life. II
had always alarmed her gay.
pretty mother TO the point of Civ
ing in to anything.
"All right" His teeth gritted on
the words. You got in, now you
stay in. If you dare get out when
l get where I'm going. I'll knock
you coId!'
Freda giggled again and leaned
comfortably against him.
Rave on, darling. she said
easily. Il love it, Anything 10
hear your nice baritone. It's you
who should sing. not Lenore,
What say we make UP song and
dance team. you and |. and start
out under our own power?"
Jelly did not bother to reply.
The car seemed 70 jump away
under his hands He drove with Q
sort of mad speed across town.
swung into the driveway of the