The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-06
az MARGARET MlpD6stF

uerIy.
moi" she said. Leave me
alonew But he only laughed adj
miringly and steered her back up
the hill. stsl 49,
She had nearly decided to swal-
low her pride, throw in her hand,
borrow money of Lewis and 20
back home, after two days Of this.
And then Caroline, with the
girls clinging about her as usual,
the men rounded UP, made the
plans for the next day, round the
fire late at night.
We'll sleigh up the mountain.
Its just a nice ride. Then we'll
ski down the other side and across
the little lake. And we'll tele-
phone from the road call box for
as many reservations at Gillam's
roadhouSe as have CUTS left to
take it. Have a livery sleigh meet
us. Jingle bells all the way; take
along evening stuff-one night of
civilization. Right. boys and
girls?"
Caroline thought Eileen hadn't
decent evening dress. Caroline
had something up her sleeve al
ways. Eileen's fighting spirit rose
to meet it-that and the COM
tinued deliberate. cleverly done
exclusion.
And-it sounded like swell
party. There was Bill, her friend,
anyway. And the men would
dance with her, ski with her.
She'd take it - she'd stay one
more day, though Lewis despised
her and Martin was tired Of his
within.
But they came down - even
Eileen stayed in her room till
noon that day-to find dripping
caves, snowfalls laundering off
the roof, and dazzling sunlight
picking out pools of slush and
black water on their own small
skating pond.
Nothing doing" Martin said
to the girls outcry, provokingly
at ease on his spine. Better get
a good book and read"
Nonsense" Caroline said. EFT
won't be thawed up the noun.
tain. And that lakes sheltered.
I'm going"
Roland Perrine drew Robin to
the window and argued with her
in low voice Robins voice went
up sharply. Damn it, I'm not
dating that fool stork yet a while.
I'm going too"
So was Lolly. Martin stretched
and shrugged. Better let you
sleigh up Loon Mountain and see
for yourselves"
Eileen, lingering behind the
others in their rush for outdoor
clothes, came slowly over to Mar
tin. She said gently, Martin.
won't 60 if you think I'd better
not"
He did not look at her. He said
shortly, aSuit yourself" He
walked out, leaving her alone
with Lewis, who had been work
ing obviously at a papeF-strewn
card table. Lewis was her enemy,
but a frank enemy. They could
have it out.
upset
"yyrHAF have done to them
w all? What's happened to
Martini" she asked.
He said, Nobody knows the
answer to Martin Danes whifns.
As for the others. If you didn't
know how insiders treat outsid-
ers, now's your time to learn, I've
been through it in my day"
His voice was grim; yet in
way he was allying himself with
her.
He added more gently "Quit it,
Eileen. Stay home To-Day. You'll
just get hurt some more. You've
no more chance than kitten with
the dogs against her. III sort Of
hate to see il"
He began repacking his brief
case, not looking at her.
ALLEY cat, you mean she said.
Il can take it. I'm going"
She let Caroline slip quickly
into the seat by Martin. She got
up by the driver. Ike liked her.
Thought you'd have more
sense. Fool trip. Wears out the
hosses," he grunted. -
She. said cheerfulk.s moi
enough of me to wear out
horse" She drew him out, trying
not to hear the laughter and talk
behind her, trying to enjoy the
present, the balmy weather and
bright sun.
Nobody could have enjoyed the
ride itself. It was as bad as Mar
tin had said Il would be. II varied
between icy spots. slush and bare
ground. As they neared the top,
even Caroline abandoned the idea
of skiing down the other, ur-
wooded side. The snow was obvi-
ously rotten. They could see the
pools where the lake sunk. when
the first turn showed Il % them
from above.
BLAST you, Martin, right N
usual" said Caroline. Hey. Ike,
turn round. this going's VILE
Tainst no safe place to turn
yet. he drawled
Nonsensei I'm fed Up with be-
ing bumped
Cant and sHey, yeu can't"
Ike and Martin said together.
We can tool" She was laugh
ing. She flung herself forward and
snatched the reins ever nks's
shoulder.
sYou durn little fool. stop it,
Ike began. She had wrenched the
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