The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-05
Chapter 20
Tough Going

deliberate emphasis meant. OF
course. She had told Martin to
check on her. This maxwell,
better of course than a detective
bureau-had been turned to, for
checking. Whistled up as sort of
private guard. Well, at least
then, Martin knew she'd told the
truth about herself.
public Enemies Numbers One
and Two, in fact?" she said
coolly. Tell me who these people
are" Hands in pockets, small
face tipped up to him far above
her, she defied him silently.
He introduced her without
more words to those nearest. A
big healthy black-browed girl
giving a last wax to her skis,
kneeling beside them. A bigger,
red = faced, black browed man
paving records from a high
cabinet-Bill and Lolly Grant,
obviously brother and sister. OBJ
viously rather dumb and friend
ly to everybody. They grinned at
her without prejudice.
The married couple, the Roland
Perrines, were too much in love
to bother one way or the other
about outsiders or insiders. She
was a round cheerful bright-eyed
child in furry c1liared jacket
and trousers. He was lenk and
collegiate and taffy- colored. They
held hands and sang, most of the
time. she was to find.
Eileen was relaxing when Caro-
line burst in. She was swathed
in a big white woolly coat that
set off her fair flare of hair and
her exquisite, high-cheekb6ned
face. She waved ski sticks and
shouted and descended on every
one Unfortunately with an at
tack of embraces and kisses. She
stopped short, an arm still around
Robina Perrine, and said, 'Hel-
lol Quick work, Martini it isn't
little Gardenia'
Eileen said, 'The names Gard
ner. You got it a little wrong"
Caroline wasn't giving quarter.
Her voice rose gaily.
Can you beat it, children!
This is the one Martin found in
the flower shop when he didn't
get back for an hour! The girl
with the trained ankle, coming
right along with the partyl"
Roly Perrine stopped singing
and pulled his wife closer. The
friendly big Grant boy sobered,
his hands stopping above the
records. There were limits even
to what Martin the playboy could
hand to their womenfolk, the ST.
lence said.
Then Martin said casually,
amused, over his shoulder from
among the pile of luggage,
Should have broken it to you !
was adding a pair of guests TO
my own party, Car. Matter of fact,
j met Eileen when ] flew out to
Denver last June to say goodbye
10 my mother-danced with her,
all that. She'd just graduated
from the University of Colorado
you may remember Mother
made their comm encemen
speech? She and / held an Ole
Home Week in the taxi. | wanted
her to come along to the night
club, but she wouldn't do that. SC
we compromised on the skiing
party. Sort of appropriate, shed
had my gold ski all this time"
''Had your gold SKIP" Caroline's
eyes cleaned green.
II found It. Eileen said. ano
for whatever reason. Caroline
quieted. Robina Perrine said. q;
the tension dropped, 10000. aIle
you're in a flower shop, what fun
I'm going TO start a dress shoF
next fall IL ! can bully freedom
enough out Of the brutal tride-
groom"
Good Time
"A ND that was over, and Eileer
"a was streaming down with al
q them into the big heated
limousine. She found herself
squeezed between the little bride
and Lewis Delevan under the big
tarry rugs Robina went on chat
b,ring in friendly fashion. Lewis
talked brief commonplaces.
She relaxed into the novel
Pleasure Of the big swift car. the
god cigarettes, the easy laugh
ter and plans. She didn't force
herself. but she put everything
she had into getting along with
the crowd. Show Martin that she
could III in with his friends.
BY the time they piled out for
luncheon az an upstate inn. Bill
Grant turned out 10 be friends
Riih a man she'd known at coll
kgS, and Robin Perrine. as they
lid their faces in the ladies'
Don. was telling her excitedly
how she came TO fall for Raly.
Careful, though. il wouldn't all
NJ as easy as this.
That night in sparkling moon-
hghk they bundled out, laughing,
MO q sweep OF snow-hlled land
sape. They were racing up q
sbpveled path between snow piles
e. q long low lodge. bursting
INTO q long pine-paneled room
uhere a big fire reared In the
aaiddle.
Al couple Of roughly clad men
Axho yelled greetings to Martin
81 his first name were efficiently
hanging in luggage and passing
erinks and coffee and sandwiches
And presently Eileen was
klene. deep IN a soft narrow bed.