The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-07-16

gin TO tremble, Eve knew what II
was, deep in her consciousness,
that had been struggling 10 the
surface of her mind. THIS that she
felt for Neil was not love.
She liked him; she was aware
of his vitality, of his plllslns near
ness, but she did not love him.
She did not want to cling to him,
she did not even want 10 stay out
there with him in the enchanted
night, with the mist shutting them
away from all the rest Of the
world.
She wanted to run madly up
the twisting path with the rhOd0-
dendrons fiinging out their leafy
arms TO stop her. 70 be safe In
doors, away from Neil and his
need for her kindness, her re-
Spouse.
Neil felt her tremble, you're
cold?"
'sN-o"-Eve caught herself
shat is, ! am a little, There's a
dampness--s
How thoughtleSs I've been~
Neil rose instantly, drew her TO
her feet.
He took Off his coat, drew il
close about her shoulders. He
would have kissed her, but she
turned her face away. Something
in the gesture arrested Neil.
"Evel" he said. There was .
questioning note in his voice.
Suddenly Eve knew that she
must tell hinl--now. before he had
built UP an entirely untrue image
of her in his thoughts. She turned
| to face him.
SIN sorry. Neil. It's all a mis-
take"
'sWhat is?"
'T--you. II isn't--it wouldn't
on, Neil, help mel Can't you see
what I'm trying to say? I'll adore
YOU. but I don't really love you!
Love- she went on. gaining
courage from the sound OF her
own voice, els something different,
! I'm sure. When said I'd marry
you. thought / loved you. But
tonight--it came over me so
uuickly--I discovered that what
/ feel for you isn't love"
Neil who had been staring al
her in CONSERVATION, broke the ST.
|lence that followed her words |
with a short laugh
~All the same, / love you, Eve,
he said, doggedly. Whats more, |
/ believe you love me. But here |
this eerie place-you're upset,
you don't know your own feelings. |
When we get off this desert island, |
back where things are sane and |
sensible, you'll feel differently.
You'll find out that you do love
me. darlingp'
He put his arm around her,
drew her close to him, but did
not attempt to kiss her.
"Come on back to the house,
he said. I'VE won't talk about this
any more tonight"
Compromise
I've walked beside him, docile
~ and silent for a few minutes.
Then she burst out:
mol 1t isn't just the place. Pm
sure, Neil"
"Eve, Eve, can't give you up
like thisl" Suddenly Neils voice
was hoarse. Say youth marry me
six months from nova year. I'll
wait, I'll wait gladly, darling. But
don't take all hope away-promise
me that some day you'll marry
mel" He caught her by the shout
ders, turned her so that she faced
him.
Eve felt that she was going 10
cry. Don't, Neil" she said gently.
you like me, you enjoy being
with me-"
aoh, / do, Nell More than can
tell YOU"
But you don't want to marry
me?"
'No."
There's another mani"
That's not true" Eve began,
and stopped short. There was
Brettl AS surely as if he had
stepped into the path before them,
Eve knew that it was Brett who
aad come between her and Neil
Brett, who at best treated her
like someone who must be toler-
atedl Brett, in whose eyes she had
more than once surprised some
thing very like contempt She
loved Brett, she thought wildly.
NeH'S words came to her as if
from a great distance.
whoever he is" Neil was
saying. "Give me a chance, Eve.
Give yourself time to think things
over. Evel" he cried, sit isn't the
the money!"
How can your" Eve was sob
bing now. Instantly Neil was apol-
ogetic. Forgive me. didn't mean
that. I don't know what Pm say
ing. / only know / can't 60 on
without you, Eve. Tell me that
you will wait while, make up
your mind later on. I'll release
you from the engagement, if you
want It that way. But don't tell
anybody tonight. Let things go
on as they are"
I'm so cold" said Eve miser-
ably. Il don't know what to say,
Neil. All right, won't say any
thing about our engagement. Wen
just 60 on"
Darling Eve" murmured Neil.
He seized one of her cold hands
and they walked the rest OF the
way hand in hand. Eve slipped up
the stairs, when they reached the
house, and powdered away the
traces of tears before returning
To the living ronYn