The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-14
Chapter %
Action--By Eileen

tACttOHDy EAACcH
HTIOLETTA LEE sat at her kid
ney-shaped desk, in the rose
taffeta house-coat her youngest
sister-in-law had given her for
her last birthday, quietly writing
long-hand letters as if nothing had
happened. Her faded Gainsbor-
ough prettiness was more hag-
gard than usual, that was all. She
was as poised as the decorous
French print above her head. She
was still poised as Eileen poured
out her story.
She said, amazingly, when it
was done, swell, my dear, it is a
great comfort to me to know that
/ was right about YOU"
''Then you do believe me? You
do believe ] didn't know what /
was doing to your"
I've been judging people, as
part of my profession, for twenty
years. know you're honest"
Couldn't / go to some of the
board misunderstanding a lot
of us?"
The grazing ash-blond head
was shaken.
Mr.. Delevan would make it
seem mere historical feminine
partisanship. You know what a
power that spellbinding earnest
ness of his has" She frowned a
little. Mothers really what both
ers me most. She wouldn't be
happy with any of the others; she
loves them, but the children get
on her nerves"
"Is there nothing can do?
Nothing anybody can do?"
Miss Lee said thoughtfully, IF
old James L. Willesdon were liv-
ing, I'd have no hesitation in 60
ing to him over the heads Of the
board. Or if I could, I'd reach his
daughter. But hear she's been in
South America organizing suf-
frage groups ever since she went
there with the Pan-American
Congress. And young Dane is
completely in Delevan's hands,
from all they say. even if he were
interested.
"You know he married, very
spectacularly, a few months back;
one Of those freak marriages. A
girl from a share troopers farm
or the lower East Side or some
thing like that. They were in
Honolulu on their honeymoon, but
they're West somewhere, nobody
knows exactly where, at present. I
Eileen said in a carefully steady
voice, What has Martin Dane to
do with it?"
But as she asked, everything
clicked together. Lewis saying, Il
was Martins grandfather's secre-
tary. Now run the Willesdon In
stitute." Martin, saying, Lewis
handles my charities much better
than / could. Lewis was my tu-
tor )" and Pretty wonderful
really, slight Messiah COM
pick. :" And Lewis, again,
Martins an easy going idiot.
Martin Dane. Martin had some
sort Of control of the institute.
Because James L. Willesdon had
been his grandfather. And of
cour se--Edith Willesdon Dane
was his mother. But he left every
thing TO Lewis because he be-
lieved in Lewis. Or didn't care.
Or both.
Even if she could find him now
he was tied up to Caroline. She
would have TO creep back, to take
Caroline's insults, Martins own
pleasant unbelieving boredom. It
was the hardest thing she had
ever faced-which under the cir
cumstances was neither here nor
there.
She stood up, saying to Miss
Lee. II knew Martin Dane once.
I'm going TO try every way |
know TO get hold of him. Don't
give up hope"
"This Is Martin"
THERE was a pay-station box
= downstairs. And she still kept
something which perhaps three
other people possessed. the pri-
vate number of Martins apart
ment. She might be able to do
something with the manservant.
William. She dialed, setting her
teeth, bracing. Oh, don't let it be
Carolinel
II was Williams smooth, cour-
teous voice. She used the phrases
she had planned.
Some business has come UP
that makes II necessary for me
to get in touch with Mr.. Dane,
William. Can you help me2 This
is Mrs. Gardner Dane"
He did not hang UP. He said the
conventional, "One moment, ma
dam" Her wet hand clenched the
receiver as she waited.
This Is Martin. Eileen"
The slow pleasant voice was as
unmove6 as Williams. Well, after
all. what was she 10 him. that he
should be even surprased2 She
said, striving for the same cool
ness, There's something II isn't
about me. Miss Lee al the Willes-
don--Violetta Lee. They've dis
charged her. ). Your grandfather
oh, please"
The incoherent words seemed 10
make sense 10 him. He said, dis.
charge Violetta7 Crazy. Thanks
for telling me. Want 20 come up
here and give me the detRils9"
"Oh no unless its the only
way ! can see yoo--