The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-11-19
Chapter 80


0SAIN ~ =
NEXT morning Santa was unac.
AZ countably gay. Give. on the
contrary, was subdued. He was
ashamed that they should have
staged a scene on her birthday.
They had formed the habit Of iiav.
ing breakfast served on a tray. As
a rule, she sat up. propped with Pill.
lows, and chatted while he dressed.
When he was ready for departure,
she thrust her feet into pantoufies
and flung on negligee, accompany
ing him to the hall to take farewell.
He had fetched her pantoufies
and fitted them to her feet. She
sat dangling her legs over the edge
Of the bed. regarding him.
Don't go, Give. Where do you
go?"
"In search of work, along with
the rest of the unemployed"
Help me, Give" She leaned
her head on one side.
Il never realized till last night
how bitterly you resent having
nothing to do"
at wasn't mentioned" he said.
at never is. But it's the soreness
that distorts everything"
He began to pace.
For a man marriage isn't ca
reer. Because you have money You
seem to think 1t ought to be. At the
moment may be only small po.
tato. The little earn or don't earn
nayn't make much difference.
What I am today I was when we
married. You appeared to think
me worth while"
'T'm acknowledging all that,
She nodded. my mistake - But
perhaps you haven't the patience to
listen."
Fire ahead" He consulted his
watch.
my mistake has been that I've
been afraid to sympathize. Sympa-
thy is SO discouraging."
He planted himself at the foot Of
the bed.
WAS that the reason?"
Hand me my comb; it's on the
dressing-table. why wouldn't It be
the reason? Your futures mine"
Having presented her with the
comb, he seated himself beside her.
That's the truest word you've
spoken since we were married"
"And you've been waiting to hear
me speak it?"
stop tugging at your hair" he
commanded. "This Is the greatest
moment OF our lives. My future
your futurei Why the dickens
didn't you say It sooner? You've
acted as though you wore the trou-
sers and had no future. can fight
now that I know it's for you I'm
fghting."
"Don't need to-" She threw him
q tricky smile.
els there a niger in the wood
pile2"
'No niger, little boy. Only that
your wife's found you o job while
you've been searching"
"Hal" He considered. "How did
you find it7"
Someone asked me IL you were
free. This somebody estimates your
ability very highly. No good asking
his name: he doesn't want TO figure.
You're to go to an address that I'll
give you. I don't mind telling you
that the salary's twice what You
were earning"
"Tm not worth ten thousand.
Santa.
"You make me tired. Give.
You're worth what anyone win pay
you"
There must be strIngs.s
"only that you're not to ask who
tipped me OF TO send You"
''Is he your fatheri Because, II
So"
IF 90 / should have broken our
compact. No. he isn't my father.
haven't breathed q word to anyone
that you're strapped. This offer
came to me out Of clear sky" &
"whengs
that's my secret"
"But you know who's behind it?"
''l'm not even allowed to admit
that. You're to go to certain ad.
dress. II you're not satisfied"
Enc harm in applying" he con.
eeded.
Contrary to his usual reception,
he was shown in at once. An alert.
youngish man. probably ten years
older than himself. rose 10 greet
him.
'It's a pleasure to meet you. Mr..
poncastes"