The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-07-18
chapter Is
Truth From Brelt

TT WAS the last night on the
4 island---the only night in her
life, perhaps, when she would be
near Brett Rodman, would hear
him speak only for her, and would
be able TO memorize his features
so that the long years ahead might
not seem SO lonely,
She had no intention of telling
Brett that her engagement was
broken. OF what use was that,
when he so obviously did not care
one way or the other? But Neil's
presence would make II impos-
siple to carry away a clear-cut,
lovely memory.
Eve was never so glad to see
Lordy Mac in one of his playful
moods. He plunged at Neil, as
they were entering the living
room, and with what was in
tended to be a vicious snarl, he
caught an end OF Neil's shoe-lace,
pulling il loose. Instantly, Ham
and Neil were ready to catch him.
But he slipped away. then
with knowing look at Eye
lodged In again and united Neils
other shoe, This time, both men
pursued him in earnest. but
Lordy skillfuliy ducked under
first one chair and then the other,
maneuvering them toward the
fireplace. Eve blew him a kiss and
stepped quickly onto the porch,
Brett was not there, but as she
went along the path, she saw
him standing by one Of the ragged
bushes waiting. His pipe was
aglow in the gloom. and his
figure bulked largely against the
darker shadows of the shrubbery
"Here you arel" he said, none
too graciously. And Eve, beyond
a murmur of assent, could think
Of nothing to add. She walked
meekly beside him to the shore
and turned off, as he did, to where
q group of sand dunes formed 8
natural break against the wind.
They settled themselves slowly
but Brett, beyond the remark tina
IL was peaceful out here, seemed
TO have nothing further to say
Eve waited as patiently as shl
could, but finally her exaspera
ton was SO great that she had Il
say sharply:
did you ask me out here jus
to enjoy the peaceful night?
thought you had something i'm
portant to say"
His answer startled her. Isl
did /" he agreed. But / guess
isn't so important after all. A
least--although it's important Il
me. l see now that there's nj
sense worrying you about it,"
Worrying me?" Eve repeated
We'll. I'll certainly worry fa
more if | don't know" She hal
half risen from her sheltered 20
silion behind the sand dune. Nov
she sank back again. clasping he
arms around her knees. "I'll Jus
sit here until you tell me all abou
It" she said determinedly.
Sudden Understanding
DRETT was silent for so lon
~ that she had time to steal
glance at him from lowered eye
lids. He was still drawing at hi
pipe, but there was no answering
glow. The pipe was dead, and hi
eyes. half-closed. seemed to indi
cate that he was asleep. But Ev
knew he wasn't
He turned so suddenly she wa
startled, and instead of gain
out at the water, as she had in
tended to do, she found hersel
staring at the tense white blu
OF his face.
This isn't new to you he be
gan harshIy, holding the forgot
ten pipe IN one hand. "You'v
heard Ii at Nassau and at all til
smart watering places. You don
need an expert on early Amer
can architecture to tell you YOUR
beautiful" He laughed with
bitter undercurrent that seemer
directed at himself.
Eve stared at him, trying 4
pierce the uncertain mist that tn
rising moon had created. Sh
could not believe this was Bret
Brett Rodman-talking to he
as If he hated it, and saying word
that she had never dared hop
she would hear.
"But I've been thinking it over.
he went on, more calmly. "And
decided that maybe those gildet
playboys like Bowron couldn't tel
you something about yourself
that / know.
you'll probably spend the res
Of your life going around iron
one pink tea to another, neve
hearing word that comes from
q person who thinks. So I'll Civ
Il to you straight from tn
shoulder. You have the making
Of a grand person, Eve. ! saw !