The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1942-12-11
Chapter 81
The Brooch

THAT afternoon Rita felt bet
IL ter. She came down to the
Inn garden in a gold housecoat
that called out the red-gold lights
in her hair. Clark led her gently
to long reclining chair, tucked
her in with gay cushions.
Gloria moved about arranging
--a--4isht robe over her feet. She
had stayed right with Rita all
: day. frantically on the alert for
some way to stop the growing
peace and intimacy between her
and Clark. She listened anxiously
as, Clark gently questioned Rita
about the orange juice concentrat-
ing plant. Rita told him what lit
tie she knew of her fathers
business.
Vividly, Rita told him of the
thousands of European children
being fed with the concentrated
product which could reach them
only because it required so little
shipping space.
Gloria said, you're just like
your father, Rita. Much more con-
cerned with the end than the
means"
Clark shot Gloria questioning
glance, but Gloria's face showed
only affectionate warmth. The
shadow of a frown crossed his
face as he turned back to the
lovely, frail Rita, whose whole
being seemed radiant now as
she spoke of her fathers dreams.
He fought against the sudden
impression Gloria's words had
brought, of an idealist, impulsive
creature, whose emotions might
outweigh her judgment-even her
honesty. He baniShed the picture
firmly from his mind. His Rita
was not that-she was sentiment
tally moved now by the memories
of her father, but she was prac-
tical-clear-t thinking straight
shooter. He knew it!
Carlos stormed down to the
Inn himself with great hampers
of lunch from his own kitchen
when he heard of Rita's guests.
He >, didn't intend even the
GLORIOUS Clark Pasquin to be
poisoned by the hotel Kitchen.
Amid much laughter, Carlos or
-dered tables set up in the garden
and the hotel staff to serve the
sulnptuous lunch even. while he
told them of its excellence,i its
superiority to that of the food
here at the hotel 81 tss3H .
But in spite of Carlos usual
apontaneity; there was a strain OF
tension among the fonrs Carlos,
though friendly toward Clark.
was only SO because he saw that
Rita had made, up with him. He
was puzzled and disappointed. He
watched Rita absently picking at
her luncheon and Clark anxious
ly solicitous, concerned only with
>. her. Why did the laundering
.imbecile have to drag this dark
eyed Gloria along when he came
to. see Rita!
: Proposal
THAT last night the four Of
l. them dined together at Car
mel Inn. Rita was radiant in her
Simple gown Of white silk jersey
with Grecian lines accentuated
by her gold sandals, and Gloria
exotically lovely in a clinging
sequin gown that fitted her figure
like the scale of a mermaid. Her
black hair was parted in the
center and drawn back to a low
knot on her slender throat, her
lips were glaring streak of red.
Carlos was delighted at the az
tention they were receiving from
the fascinated townspeople. He
ordered the cocktails with joyful
care, and even persuaded himself
to eat the hotel food. He loved,
he admitted loudly, to be with
the most beautiful women in the
rouns 20 a>h :
Gloria kept up an animated
chatter with him. Not for one in
slant did she betray her com
plete desperation tonight. Her
world seemed cracking about her.
She had never in her spoiled life
been denied what she had desired.
She believed that a woman with
utter ruthlessness and concentra-
ton could always get her man.
Where had she failed?
Carlos was saying, 'T'd like to
fitch that paste trinket of yours,