The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-07

lage, gasp her messages to the
livery stable, the Dane lodge, SER
wants, the nearest towns doctor.
She was in the doctors house.
in bed. herself, when she became
conscious again. She said Robin
top of Loon Mountain-quick!"
NOW, now q. !" said the young
tidy smiling nurse. 1--WE heard
you the first time. It's all right.
Doctor went straight up with the
livery4stable sleigh three hours
ago. The minute they get back to
the lodge he's to call me. You've
been saying that at intervals ever
since they brought you in" She
gave her hot milk and said,
you're a swell girl" and dashed
to the tinkle of the telephone.
She came back saying, Doctor
says tell you it's all right. They've
checked the pains and every
thing. But you'll have to wait
for the medals and the cheering
till day after tomorrow. You
won't have pneumonia, but you're
not out of the woods yet"
Eileen said "No--I must take
train home" as her lids fell.
She knew better next day. of
course. She was too limp to do
anything but the easiest thing.
She'd have an excuse, though,
to stay in bed till the last min
ute. Not face anybody again. The
fight was all out of her limp body
and shocked mind.
1t was Lewis Delevan who
came for her. At her wincing
move back as she saw him. he
said, almost apologetically, IT
asked to be the one to come.
He snatched her hands where
they stood in the little country
parlor. He said. his deep voice
shaking, You're heroine, Eli
leen. You're the fnakirlgs of
something fine"
She was too tired still, to an
swer. She let him lift her into
the sleigh, He wrapped her al
most as if he was tender of her.
She sat quiet. His voice went on,
deep through the bells, as they
drove. It was cold again. there
was hard snow.
Eileen, listen, I've been think
ing about you. I've been planning
for you. I'm going to find you
the work where you belong; my
kind Of work serving humanity.
It's IN you, you've proved it, Well
forget all about, that craze of
yours for what Martin Dane could
give you"
His voice went on, She was
tired. She heard herself answer
ing at intervals, saying probably
he was right. Maybe she would
like that kind of work. She had
to have some kind.
You're too good for. a piay-
boy, a charming waster. There1l
be a better love. AS a profess
Slonal student of men. I can tell
you that you didn't actually love
Martin. II was part glamour, and
part ambition. You're better
than you think.
Climax
THEY were at the lodge gate.
\ And Martin, bare-headed as
usual, in his thick white sweater.
was inping swiftly down the
path to them. He had her out. he
was sending Lewis around with
he car in that quick way he'd
Ris to sell him orchids
Tor Caroline. He was sweeping
Eileen inside to the fire, sitting
ner down on the couch in the long
warm empty room. He was talk
ing in a voice that had no easy
laughter in it.
"You grand little sport-you
sweet kidd You've got about
everything it takes. Eileen" He
was down by her, close to her,
excited and alive as she had never
seen him. You're the sort
have made protegee
Of, all right, whether she did or
not. Listen, Eileen you were
right. And you've put 1t over"
He was doing something to his
watch chain with those swift deft
hands of his. Slipping off the
little gold ski she had worn so
long.
Here you get this back. you
Know" he was saying, smiling.
He was hooking 1t back ON her
,harm bracelet, She understood.
L was one of those trophies a
man is supposed only to give
away to the girl he IS marrying
ike fraternity pin. She stared
Down at ii, dazed.
As she stared the rest clattered
n. They were all there except
Robin Perrine. They began talk.
ng. shouting, coming around
ler.
Martin stood up. and pulled
her up keeping his arm around
her.
Hey folks. look what's hap
oened. Eileen and I are about to
lmble altarwards. Awaiting con-
yratulationS.
The renewed shouts and laugh
er, the quick congratulations
md jokes and surprise sounded
ar of; Caroline's forced voice,
lolly's deep pleasant politeness,
Bills curt, sporting words. Roly
aerrine's stanmered grateful ex-
.itement
Only two things were sharp
n the vagueneS that seemed to
lang about her like thin. stub
,orn cloud.
One thing was the look in
evils eyes. shocked. reproach-
I'll. warning. He seemed 10 be
ocussing the whole force of his
trong serious personality on her
rom just outside the group.
The other was the words Mar
in had said. Not one Of them had
promised her any love.
- - .--&s.A