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

/ could throw my next picture
in the toilet and take a vacation"
Gloria laughed absCntly.
You're a good judge of Jewels.
Carlos. This is worth $4,000. l
imagine that would purchase one
of your literary gems"
Rita reached across the Icole to
touch the exquisitely patterned
diamond brooch. ITS beautiful"
she said warmly.
"You should wear pearls, Rita"
Clark said. 1t was quiet promise
He and Rita danced then. The
music WIS the same as the music
of their first dance in New York
Clark felt the nostalgia moment
was propitious. He suggested a
walk. They wandered down the
pine Swallowed path that led to
the summer house.
Remember told you once you
claimed me, steadied me, gave
me glow of fresh purpose?" he
said.
She nodded, surprised he had
remembered it.
81 meant it," Clark said slowly.
when Pm with you, l feel like
the person I'd like to be-if that
makes sense" he added slowly.
She was breathing in short,
controlled little breaths. Eyes" =
That's why, being the selfish
creature an. actor is" Clark
grinned, 81 want you with me al
ways. I want you to marry me. !"
She stopped on the path and
looked up at him, the moonlight
through swaying pines making
soft shadows across the small
white oval of her face. DO you
mean that?"
He said nothing while her
brooding eyes searched his. Then
slowly she believed him. Her
mouth relaxed in a tremulous
smile. Darling" He pulled her
into his arms.
Thief In The Night
a FTER a long minute, he
\ stopped kissing her. Lets
60 back and tell Them" he whis-
pered. II want to stop the orches-
ira and make a public announce
ment."
That's the ham in you, dar-
ling" she laughed tenderly. Then
she added in serious earnest.
please don't tell anyone-not
yet"
He read her troubled thoughts
and laughed. "You mean till you
clear your name? No, my beloved,
we're marrying tomorrow and
then I'm helping you straighten
out that misunderstanding with
those ranchers."
She smiled but shook her head,
the light in her eyes almost bel
|ligerent. "I'll straighten out my
own business, thank you" She
smiled. 'But l think I've found a
quick solution.
When they returned to their
party, Clark reluctantly kept his
word of secrecy, but Gloria
Sensed their exaltation. Her black
eyes grew blacker. Aroused in
stinct told her only a terrific blow
could now sever the bonds of
Clark'S affection for this other
girl.
At two o'clock the next morn
ing, Clark was smoking by his
bedroom window, too filled with
content and happiness to sleep.
Hearing voices in the hall, he
crossed to open his door. The
Manager was holding whispered
conference with the room clerk.
There's been a robbery in the
hotel" he explained to Clark in
low-voiced apology.
Really" Clark was cheer
fully interested. What was
taken?"
IA brooch, belonging to Miss
Cunningham. Very valuable"
Il should say it was!" whistled
Clark. Someone must have
heard her mention it tonight,
The fat house detective thudded
iloiselessly down the dim hall
toward them. "You can sf0f5ashe
search" he grinned.- We've lust
found the pin" He opened his big
hand and Gloria's brooch cleaned
from it. 'Is was in another DANES
room, tucked in between her
valuable Nylons. That cute gal
that's been staying here-Ralston
e.. Rita Ralston."
Nor cried the Manager.
'Yep. And we nabbed her Just
now as she was slipping out the
side door of the hotel"
10 be continued