Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-07-28
CHAPTER LVII

CHAPTER LVII
II been geJ5ln' a great kick, my
self, out O. the way you younguns
have settled down and showed this
town that you a work just as
hard-and be just as happy-With
nothing as with a million dollars"
The judge gave Kent another
sidewise glance, and saw that his
hands gripped on the wheel Of the
car-then kept on.
There was a great many old she
cats said she'd married you for your
money, and that you married her
to spite that crazy little empty
headed nincompoop you thought
you liked once. They gave it just
about a year to last-and they all
had their eyes open for Vivian to
take off some day and hot foot it to
Paree for a divorce.
1T made my blood boil when they
said she vas runnin' around with
that artist teller, because she was
crazy about him. I knoWed better.
She was just gettin' her picture
fixed by him. I knowed, because
she come into the office off and
on and we'd have a talk, and she'd
tell ms about little things and what
fun she was havin' motherin' you
and what a big, sweet baby you
was.
You know women-they like
that. The more helpless a man u.s.
the more they love him. l couldn't
look at them little green eyes OF
hers, dancin' with love, and not
know they was all a bunch OF liars
that ought to be taken out and
strung up in the town square"
When the judge paused for breath
Kent had turned and was looking
at him. his jaws set and misery in
his eyes. The old man sat up as
if with surprise.
Whats the matter, my boy? You
don't look so good? Amt you feel
in well?"
Kent struggled with himself a
moment.
mo, I'm not sick"
The Judge thought it best to keep
still for a change and see what Kent
had to say for himself. He settled
back and smoked, chuckling IN
wardly.
Kent broke the silence.
Judge, there are a lot of things
YOU don't know about my marriage
to Vivian-and a lot of things I
can't tell you. All the things you
have said sound very beautiful
but it's not quite a correct picture.
Vivian is going to divorce me, very
soon"
Judge Potter jumped admirably
as though he knew nothing at all
about the Manifestations contract
marriage.
Good jumpin' cats. my boy, what
are you talkin' about? You're crazy
with the heat"
mo, unfortunately, I'm not,
Judge. I've never really been a aus
band to her. I've ruined my life
and hers, too, I'm afraid. But OF
course, she'll marry again"
well, we'll" the Judge seemed
overcome with grief and d%isappoint-
ment. Then some O. that there Cos
sip is true. 1t makes me sick, Kent,
nv boy. I've knowed both of you
kids since you vas knee high to q
sparrow. Don't you want to tell
me a little more about it? I'm Old
er'n you are
There's not much use" Kent
broke in, impatiently. 1T just can't
be helped. It's my falkland I'm
not good enough for a girl like Vi
Wan. I was a blind, fuddled idiot,
Besides, che loves somebody else"
1--WE won't argyle that you're not a
blind. fuddled idiot. That's your
business, if you want to knock your
self-you oughta know. But, don't
tell an old man like me that vi
Wan don't love you when I know
better. For didn't she tell me, with
her very own lipS-in strict conf
dence, Of course, and I shouldn't be
blabbin'-but didn't she tell me
only a few weeks ago that she had
always loved you and you was the
only bird she ever would love. She
wasn't talkin' to hear herself talk.
I've knoWed the kid too long. She's
always come to me with her little
secrets. Her and me is pals"
1t was another nonologue. Kent
stopped the car at the field and sat
searching the face Of the old man
beside him. The judge looked back