The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-02-10

| Until that moment Constance
hadn't known how she dreaded
their first encounter, after that
last half-hour on the mountain
| top; after John had limited at Tay-
lor's intentions; after all that re-
manned unsaid between them.
She felt she would be putting
him to test in this meeting and
feared what she would find.
Warily she followed the porter
to the vestibule, and from the top
step looked down.
welcome, Michael" he greet
ed gaily.
He was glad to see her! He
couldn't possibly assume that
depth of warmth in his eyes. He
was holding his arms and she . +.
why must she be so foolish {.
she was thinking of John, Won
dering why she couldn't accept
Taylor's touch with the same
ease she accepted Johns.
Happy New Year, Pedro" she
managed.
"The happiest one I've run into
yet" he confirmed. Here, porter.
The bags over there yes. that's
right"
His concern over the bags gave
her time to regain her poise, to
pretend she had always had one
hand tucked securely in Pedro's
arm, to pretend the tightening
pressure was because he was
walking more rapidly than she
and not overexuberance, on his
part, at her return.
Now he was tucking her under
a robe. The top of the car was
down and he'd brought out knit
beret. Meg made it to match
your eyes," he said.
Constance ch an G e d, aware
Pedro was talking too much. 1t
wasn't natural for him to chat
ter. He was covering up
there was something he should
be telling her and he wasn't.
What was it?
81 hadn't expected you to meet
me-" she confessed as they drove
off.
Disappointed" he turned to
look at her.
that" as a car darted ahead OF
them. "Of course not, but /
thought Juliano would insist
upon coming, and to be frank !
didn't know the Taylors would
appreciate my return to Ell Ca
brillo."
Welcoming Mood
a PPRECIATE it?" laughed Pc
"A dro. Dear child, Meg has
spent three days in the kitchen
preparing for it. You spent
Christmas on the train so she's
going to make up for it. And
Dad" he laughed again, "he had
me drive him to Beachport for a
new suit; stood on his good leg
while the tailor fitted him.
"He's been singing about Irish
eyes, all morning"
1t was impossible not to be
caught up into Pedro's welcom-
ing mood.
"And yourself?" she asked.
They were driving along the
coast road, the mountains green
on one side, the sea glazed gold
on the other.
Michael" Pedro's voice was
low, do you need to ask that?"
For fifty miles she didn't. For
fifty miles she allowed herself to
be lifted into the translucent
world about her. She could have
replied, Forgive me, you're prov
ing your welcome" Or gaily:-
Il wanted to know if you could
sing"
Instead she stretched her hand
towards him impulsively and said
simply-"No, Pedro" The answer
lay in his grasp of her imprisoned
hand. For this short drive she
would forget everything but the
moment. She would draw each
distilled drop of warm, disturbing
joy for her own. and tuck it away
to shed faint perfume on some
distant, gray tomorrow.
l. Then she was home, on Ell Ca
mino Real, the long lines of Euca-
lyptus trees, silver leaves still
clinging. bark peeled from the
trunks, leaving them pink and
white and cold-looking.
And there ahead was the ranch
house, following willows, shaggy
sparse leaves allowing the winter
sunshine to wash the white walls.
my trunks came, didn't they?"
she asked. And the keys? Then
I'll stop and dress for Meg's din
ner."
Pedro seemed about to protest,
instead he drew up before the
house and turned to her, his face
serious, his voice apologize
Michael, after reading your let
ter, / we, wanted to make
your homecoming just that; a
welcome after years of exile. We
wanted everything perfect"
And isn't it?" she asked.
"No," he began. then he started
to laugh. mo. it isn't. Juliano
doesn't like milk cows. I'll wait
here for you"
| Constance looked at the house.
| No flowers hung from the BAL
cony, though Dolores had assured
| her they were always brought
out from the patio. in sunshine.
The blinds were drawn. There
were no signs of life anywhere.
You 60 on" she told Pedro.
as he helped her from the car.
"Tl take care Of this"
| Pedro looked at the narrowing
eyes. heSitated a moment then
as though reaching some inner
agreement drove away.
Constance lifted the old iron
q q \