The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-05-31
Chapter 16
ST. Anthony

1T. Anthony
TT WAS unbelievable, impos-
i sible. It was so unbelievable
that Eileen took it as the merest
casual thing, at the time. She
heard herself saying pleasantly
that she quite understood. That
it was nice of them to tell her
they liked her. She made, ending,
some little joke about the war,
and the chief-did he look little
relieved?-joked back.
There was talk of another au-
dition-another department--and
she was walking down the end
less corridor, chin up, the new
fall coat she had brought swing
ing about her knees; her trinity
shod feet setting themselves dain-
tily, swiftly; her hands like ice.
She went on walking, walking,
through the endless corridors
with their thick beige velvet car
peting, staring at black-lettered
doors, passing hurrying men and
women and gaily painted girls
and slouching messenger boys;
past bursts of music as doors slid
open, moments of chatter as she
passed Offices. tfs
People went along past her, it
seemed, forever. Finally she rea-
lized that she was wandering
around and around, instead OF
taking an elevator downstairs.
"How silly" she said. She spoke
gaily to the elevator man. Shed
come to know him, lese three
weeks.
Molly first ragged, then con-
soled. "The dirty dogs! The tricky
brutes :" she said. And sure
there's lots more, finer radio
spots, splendid jobs, that you'll
be gettin,' damn them all"
Eileen scarcely heard her at
first. When finally the Irish in
vective pierced through her pre-
occupation with the shock and
disappointment, she shook her
head.
"Oh, no, it was fair enough. 1t
was in the contract. And after all,
] mightn't have had that much
iffMrs. Carrier hadn't worked it"
she said conscientiously.
rI'hen get onto her again"
Molly said. Tell her to make the
skunks put you back on your
hour.
Eileen didn't want to do that
But she did come to it. n day
or so afterwards. You can't af-
ford TO miss out on any chances.
Mrs. Carrier was sympathetic but
not quite as concerned as she had
been before. Her life was very
full, and she had gone out of her
way on an impulse the first time.
Still. she had her husband write
TO another of the. networks, and
another addition came of it.
And nothing came of the audi
ton.
Eileen plucked up courage,
"After ALL" she said TO Molly. Il
had a streak of luck. | don't see
why shouldn't have some more.
haven't been at it long"
Goodhearted Molly swept her
off, that night, to a movie. with
Ris and Nick--Myrtis was in hos
pital with the new baby. They all
had a cheerful time. 1t was a
good movie. Afterwards they had
supper at a Greek restaurant run
by a friend of Nick's, who came
over and sat by them and treated
them 10 sweet fiowery tasting
wine; and ii was all rollicking
and hot and food-smelling, and
Eileen tried 10 like it and felt as
il she was in a queer drama.
1t was RiS, himself sensitive
and silent. who saw that Eileen
was near collapse. He whispered
TO Molly. He said to his brother,
who was shouting genially with
his friend, "Hey, you got me into
this flower-Selling business, I got
To- keep better hours. Let's GO
home"
Eileen turned to him thank
fully, and whispered. THAT was
awfully kind OF you. I am sort
of tired"
"You are so little, and so
brave" he said impulsively. 'But
il is true, too" he added. "about
my getting 10 bed. Next week we
open the shops together. and
hower-shop hours are worse than
anything but a drugstore's." His
great da.k eyes, like a kind ami
mails. smiled pleasantly at her.
And then Molly was briskly
herding them all home, and
Eileen was too tired to do any
thing but sleep till next day.
The Hunt
THE next two months were the
Il same story, over and over.
Eileen haunted the agencies for
seeretarial work; she kept on
trying to get work again on the
radio.
Aunt Louise, apparently still
sure that Eileen was In radio for
life. wrote affectionately il lit
tie .ynournfully. She had had a
par cut. herself. She hadn't seen
Jordan for some little time. But
the last time she saw him, he had
asked after Eileen.
And she had told him how won
derfully Eileen was getting on,
how il was she had met the Car
riers, and got on a big network.
Everybody said it was only what
they expected OF Eileen.
Il came, that letter, one day
toward the end Of December