The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-06-04
BY MARGARET WlDDEMEp

The reaction hit her as she
climbed the long stairs to her
room. What had she done--what
was she up against?
She and Molly had been talking
very little of late. She couldn't
help that. She poured il all out
to Molly. Molly sat up on her
couch, hand bracing her against
the cracked stained wall, her
broad face more blank at each
sentence. When Eileen was done,
she only said in a less sharp voice
than she had used lately, Whats
his name?"
"Martin-wait." She took the
card over under the little wall
bulb, ''Mr. Martin Mcclure -
Dane"
Molly screamed. Martin Nc
Clure Dane! Well, you did a good
job while you were at it! And the
girl was Caroline" She clawed
for a tabloid under the bed among
pile of papers, opened it and
threw il. These them?0
Eileen stared down at the man
and girl, snapped with balloons
at a night-club table.
Eyes"
Molly threw herself back and
screamed again.
eHoly catsl Jesus, Mary and Jo-
seph! The seasons top glamour
deb, and the most eligible cafe
society younger-set millionaire
this year! Martin Dane. You little
goofl Call him up tomorrow and
you'll get the razzberry from an
ice-voiced secretary. He was just
mellow enough to yes you to-
night"
Eileen felt cold inside. But she
only said, Il met his mother
once"
"You did? What did she say
to your"
II came back to Eileen sharply:
Prexy saying, This is Eileen
Gardner We think she'll be
one of the ones who will go far"
And Miss Willesdon's warm "Ah,
these young things. They're
worth all we went through. I
hope you do 60 far. my dear.
Eileen giggled Historically at
the memory. go farI'
Here" Molly said, You're all
in. Shut up and go to sleep and
forget it."
DUT at ten next day Eileen tele-
- phoned.
1t was Martins voice. He was
keeping the word of honor. He
spoke as if it was nothing at all.
Hello, pirate! How are the meth
DDS of capture coming on?"
1t was easier that way. You
could laugh. She laughed too. She
said, How about a walk in Cen
trail Park?"
"Just a bit chilly. See here, we
have to postpone this bit. When
| got back to the Nine O'Clock
last night, the gang had doped out
a plan for a week of winter sports
up at my place Ia the Adiron-
dacks. Driving up tomorrow"
AhOAy " 1o ISL. Ns $50
said obstinately. hanging on to
the last, Take me along"
There was a pause. Her palms
were wet and her throat choked.
Then Martins voice: well
all right. But / can't just drop
you in the middle of them. Any
lie ready?'
She thought fast. Call me your
mothers protegee-you found It
out in the taxi
Meat as wax. Most opposite.
Nine tomorrow, my place, then.
He didn't believe in her.
Well, why should he2 Never
mind. Nine tomorrow.
Her last fifty in the bank got
her bargain basement sports
clothes. The girls would be too
rich TO know the difference. The
scene with Ris brought on an
other proposal, as she had been
afraid it would. He cried. He said,
Always here is my love al
wavs here is a Job for you" But
the problem which had doomed so
big wasn't much, now. Later,
likely. Il. No time to think about
burned bridges.
Martins low spacious enormous
living room seemed TO Eileen's
tense eyes filed with shouting,
scuffling young giants as she
stood in the door at nine next
morning. She saw Martin at the
far end, in sweaters and ski
trousers.
He was rounding up bundles of
skis and ski sticks and rugs,
laughing as usual, and shouting
answers TO questions. He yelled
'sHi, Eileenl" across the room to
her. eli, Lewis Delevan, that's
Eileen Gardner. Hot coffee for the
little strangerl"
She looked up at Lewis. Tall,
awkwardly built without any air
of awkwardness, sallow, craggy-
featured, a manner of authority.
Older than the rest. Deep-set, un-
usual eyes. The name registered
In her mind, she tried TO place IL,
and did. Oh, yes The Something
Institute. Brilliant, radical young
director. Courageous and for
ward-looking. one paper had said.
Unscrupulous as to methods. an
other. Our hope for a better
state a deliberate wrecker.
= Somebody who could be a
formidable enemy.
Lewis was saying in that rather
understanding voice, smiling,
I'm an old friend Of Martins
grandfather. was his secretary.
Ia fact. Now I run the wiliesdnn
Institute. / have no business TO
take time of for this party. bat
Martin gave me the SOS. yes
terday. You and | are the surprise.
T-l.a ssnsassefase -