The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-08-06
Chapter IL
Tommy Proposes

Tommy Proposes
before Alma could reply
ID Marie began singing. Every
one settled back to listen. Luelli
closed her eyes. She could see tht
cotton fields down home, and heal
the darkies singing. She could al
most feel the burning sun, and tnt
touch of white bursting pods. Sht
was hoping that the others lei
the same way about 1t, When th'
song came to an end.
There was round of applause
and Henry reached for another
score. He and Marie went through
all the songs. There were five Of
them, and they made Luella ter
ribly homesick.
| Again she wished that Henry
had kept his job down home, thai
thew were down there now with
their own sort, instead Of up here
on a Yacht with a lot of worldly
! people-and that Latham woman
| looking at her as though she were
| something under glass, or that
ought to be there.
Tommy winked at her, and
! went over to where Marie was
standing. He laid his hand upon
her arm. Marie excused herself to
the Others, and went out with him.
"What a glorious night" she
said when they were standing
where the moonlight spilled over
them. "What was it you wanted
to tell me, Tommy? You sounded
urgent just now when you asked
me to come out with you"
II wanted to tell you that
love you" said Tommy. THAT
want you to marry me-now-
right away"
"Is that all?" said Marie.
Listen, darling" Tommy went
on, sinking down about to one
knee. 81 love you, | want you for
my wife. I'm perfectly willing for
you to 60 on with your career, if
that's what you want, but | want
YOU"
do get up off your knee, Tom
N.Y." said Marie. Someone might
see you. You look too silly"
do II" said Tommy. crest
fallen.
Il should say so" Marie re-
piled Tommy, you're sweet. and
Tn fond of you, but"
1--WE heard you say that to hall
a dozen men," Tommy cut in. q
want you to love me. Marie. mar
ry me. It's time we were married
and settled in our own home"
Marie gazed at him. Try not tc
be cross, Tommy" she begged
TRY to understand, please.
couldn't bear not having you un
derstand what I'm trying to say. :
What is it you are trying t;
say?" Tommy wanted to know
What | mean, IS well-lm 81
| sort of all mixed I'D
"How do you mean?"
About you Henry -Luella -
myself. But it's abou. Henry most
/ ly." Marie hesitated, took a deer
breath, and said: You see, Tom
EllJs 1--A--tA A1llh 1 III SUN III lONt
with him"
| Tommy stared at her, the CIR
| there beside him, the girl in Grim
son chiffon over which the moon
light was pouring coat of pures
silver.
You're talking utter drivel,
he said presently. "You know tina
Henry is happily married to Lu
ella, and that you've no right tx
butt in"
"I'm not so sure about Henry
being happily married to Luella.
said Marie. Nor am so sure
haven't the right to interfere"
Listen, Marie" said Tommy
quietly. trying to keep the anger
he felt out of his voice. don't ge
the idea you are up against mis-
understood husband, or anything
like that. Henry Peli knew per
fectly well what be was doinl
when he married Luella instead O
+ you, So keep out of his life. don
I NEEDLE with his private affairs
Forget Henry, and marry me. II
help you forget him / think it,
only a sort of hang over from ;
school crush anyway"
| Failure
II WONDER" said Marie sadly
| 1 And then: Il want more timt
to think, Tommy, before talkinl
marriage. Let's leave things a.
they are until we see how thi,
program goes over, I'll be pretty
busy for awhile, working with Mr.
Rector, and Henry, and"
"You mean you're going OF
working with Henry, now tn,
songs are done?" said Tommy.
why, yes, of course. Henry
terribly interested in radio. you
know, and need him to coaci
me. He knows just how | shoulc
sing the songs, and he's got a sor
of-of-radio ear. Didn't you heal
Mr.. Rector at dinner, when ht
said the radio world needed mer
like Henry?"
Eyes, / heard" said Tommy
"But Henry came up here to worl
with a big realty company. Anc
/ think a good old reliable realty
company is a better gamble fol
him than radio--if you ask me.
well. I didn't ask you. sale
Marie GROSSLY. Come on. let's e
back inside"