The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-03-08

W see.
"Stepping!" Ring said in clumsy
good humor.
"If Lovely's willing" was Joe's
reply.
SAY boy take it from me that
girls not willing. She's eager! One
eager daniel" rE
Sometimes Rings crude humor
annoyed Lovely. But she ignoi ed
it. Her mind was occupied with
other things. Ring hadn't offered
Joe beer for weeks, in fact hardly
spoke to him whe.i he called, she
reflected That was what money
did. 1t smoothed things so.
Emily
| AT an estate on Hessian Hill,
"A north of Croton. a party was
in progress Cocktails were being
passed. Scotch was being poured.
Laughter echoed musically on the
August night air. The scent of
costly perfume We'd with the
fragrance of petunias in the
shadoWy garden. The Hudson
River far below was silver rib
bon between its black velvet
banks. Occasionally boat look
ing like a gaudy toy with its
myriad lights moved silently over
the silver. Cars on the Albany
Post Road were like frehies regi-
mented into an orderly procession.
Now and then the whistle of
train came pleasantly muted.
1t was a perfect night. And to
all appearances a perfect party.
Paula Danes parties were always
an achievement in gayety. But
for two people at least profound
and ominous forces were working
under the bright surface of the
scene.
Emily Perry, pretty in an I'M
disturbing way. and Roger Co.'S
grave had been caught up in a
little chattering gossiping group,
whose glasses clinked often and
whose laughter was suggestively
frequent and free.
She's a gal with no presence
but golly what trail she leavesl"
someone commented through his
laughter. Flaming if you ask
me"
Don't be hard on Mari. boys
and girlsi She may be just an un-
happy widow but she's eager!"
Sugar puss 60 pawn that pout
you're wearing for a facet"
Roger had listened to their light
banter a thousand times before
and been amused by it. Tonight it
Jared. 1t seemed to destroy or at
least interrupt a train of thought
and he was impatient at the in
terruption.
Emily peered ough the
shadows at him. She slipped her
hand through his arm.
Come on" she said softly. Il
was pleasantly cultivated voice
in which it would be hard to
imagine emotion ever reaching
any noticeable pitch. Controlled.
Elegant. Il want to look at the
river"
Bored
WHERE a stone wall skirted the
w steep slope they stopped.
Roger sat down on the low wali.
Emily moved in close as she 50
often had but Rogers arm failed
to close around her in the familiar
way. She looked at him thought
fully. Then:
what is it Roger" And when
he didn't answer: II asked you
something, Roger"
"What?" He started from his
dream. What is it. Emily? I'm
sorry!"
Something is wrong, Roger?
What is it? What has happened?"
Nothing at all Emily. It's
nothingl I've Just been thinking"
About what?"
"Oh. things" he said slowly,
finally.
THAT isn't much of an answer,
Roger You've been strange all
evening and l can't understand
it."
Look, Emily, forget it, will
you? It's nothing at all that's i'm
portant to you" and then he
added for her peace of mind, ito
either of us. Perhaps its Just this
party getting on my nerves.
Would you mind very much leav-
ing?"
mot at all, dearl | want to of
course. If you dol" But her eyes
were surprised as they peered at
him through the soft night light.
They didn't bother saying good
night to the others. That wasn't
done. There was a theory in their
set that it broke up the party and
was selfish. So they slipped
through the shadows to where
Rogers car was parked.
With his hands on the wheel
taking the car down the danger
ouSly steep drive to the Albany
Post Road Roger was aware Of
Emily'S eyes on him in wonder,
of an air of surprise about her.
Don't mind me. Emily" ne
said. I'm in a mood and | can't
account for it. Tomorrow il viii
be gone. He tried to make il light
and reassuring.
They drove up the Post Road
past little tavern where an or
cheStra played and figures danced
crafty in the lighted windows.
Past a great old house neglected
and deserted that leered into the
night as IL defying time and the
clements,
oh. its 50 lovely out" Emily
said leaning back and looking I'd
/ az the clear warm stars.
Beyond a little willow bordered
pond where water moved muSi-
eally over a dam they swung
right up a hill 70 Emily's large,
substantial home.
Come in" Emily suggested.
Let's have a drink on the ter
raea THE nfshA - 49, in.pNtxx a.