The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1942-12-29
H|S|l]1:|i|a
by George
Harmon
Coke

PROMISE Della SAID. she re-
arranged her hat and stood up.
In the entryway she put her
hands on Joyce'S arms. What
about Kent? You won't tell him7
About me or Ward, mean?"
The question left Joyce at q
momentary lose, because she had
not thought about her husband.
Now her eyes grew thoughtful
Kent had had a lot of experience
in such matters. If Delia's part in
the affair could be handled as
simply as she hoped there would
be no need to confide in him until
things were settled. But If there
was trouble, If there were other
complications, he would know
what to do. Her first impulse was
to tell him the truth, just as she
always turned to him when she
needed help and understanding.
Still
Joyce put her arms around the
girl and Rugged her gently. ~An
right" she said, talking past the
thickness in her throat. "It'n be
our secret"
Much Later
TT WAS nearly two o'clock when
Kent Murdoch let himself into
the apartment, and the amount Of
light coming from the living room
told him Joyce was waiting for
him.
'Hi," he called, hanging up his
/ hat and coat in the entryWay
closet.
Hello a drowsy voice came
back to him.
Joyce was on the divan in hea
dressing room, head and Shout
ders propped up by pillows She
had wrapped a blanket around
her knees. and held a book face
down across her stomach. He
went over and kissed her.
II told you not to wait up"
"You knew I couldn't sleep al.
ter what you told me over the
phone"
"T was afraid you wouldn't ]
almost didn't tell you"
well. I'm glad you did" Joyce
said. Now I've got to have the
rest of it."
'T was afraid of that, too
Murdoch stretched. I'm tired"
he said. "and thirsty. Is there any
beer?"
"I think So" Joyce started to
rise.
"I'n get it."
mo. I'll get it Pm tired of sit
ting here"
She threw aside the blanket
and stood up, hitching the dress
ing gown over her hips and tight.
ening the belt. He went over &c
the mantel and filed his pipe, anc
by the time he had it drawing
well she was back with a tray
For him there was the glass OF
beer and a plate Of crackers and
cheese; for herself she had glass
of milk and a cookie.
81 don't know what I'd do with
out you" he said, grinning.
Murdoch laid aside his pipe
and drank deeply. His dark HAN
was tousled now and although the
stamp of WEAKNESS was upon his
angular face, there was no slop.
piness about him and his quiet
tweeds hung neatly.
''That hit the spot" he said f.
nally. Nov what do you want ia
know"
Everything"
And he told her.
'Do the, police suspect any.
one2p she asked when he had fin
ished. "a ''t.
mot yet, they don't"
mo ideaS?"
81 don't know about that, but
it's cinch they'll be doing some
questioning tomorrow-especially
those four names that were on
that piece of paper. You don't
know any Raeburn, do your"
Joyce said she didn't. Later, in
bed. she spoke across the dark
ness.
why didn't you tell me the
truth about HeStor?"
"Huh?" Muir dock muttered
sleepily.
"I've always pictured her as a
little crude and loud and OBJ
vious."
"She was"
"Well, she's certainly stunning
now. Her body is magnificent.
She's not crude. or if she is she
does not show it. v,Sf,.
To be continued - - "a