The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-12-02
Chapter II
DicKy SACK AGAEN

DicKy SACK AGAEN
AUETNG weak. Dicky probably
misses you Tremendously" said
GIVE to Santa "I'm not dcg.in.the;
manager. n hes on your conscience
ana there's anything We can do Tor
him. you won't arouse my Jealousy.
youPrs through with him. In 4 sense
you were through with him before
ron started. And then. he came to
my help when he himself was ship.
wrecked"
whats your idea, Clive--that We
ought to get rid Of him more grad.
iually?"
Something Hike that
SO that was how 1t happened,
when Dicky called few nfghts
later. that he was admitted. Give
had brought home work from the
office - genuinely brought home
work this time.
Following the precedent he had
previously established, he withdrew
to the library. A. wife had the priyt
lege OF entertaining her friends. es.
pecially when she contributed 20
the housekeeping. He battered
himself that he was handling the
situation naoderniy.
Finding no obstacles placed IN
his way. Dicky dropped in more
and more frequently. He entered as
IL he were bestowing a favor and
seated himself In the best chair,
blond and immovable. To humor.
ist his vanity would have been
amusing. He glanced round at "a.
miliar pictures ON the walls ana
surveyed the furnishings with an
air OF possession. Then he waited
with restrained impatience for Give
to vanish, as though he and not
Give was master.
Clive consoled himself by think
ing. "All I have to do is to kick
him out"
The moment he had left his wife
with her ex-husband, they would
lapse into French.
"such good practice" Santa en-
planned.
She kept no secrets. Was clear al
daylight. Gave Give a synopsis in
bed Of what had occurred each eve.
ming.
"You don't need to-" he advised
heKsS 80. ~ -s@e~s ~
'But It helps me to correct my
impressions. Dicky's so glib-al-
ways was. He'd swear he hadn't
been near Jam when It was smeared
ALI over bis face"
"What does he lie about?"
AYou and me. The nobIe influence
we are. How he's given up drink
and women to be worthy Of u.s."
aHe'll drive me to drink. Good
night. old girl. / have to be up IA
the morning"
often she talked Give to sleep.
! sAre you iistening?"
{ Her slim arm protecting him. she
would lie awake. bordering how
complaining It was to have been
married twice. What II amounted 10
was chat you were responsible for
two husbands.
TO have two husbands burning
about you was exciting. It kept you
sxpectant and emotional. the way
you were as q iiapper. II made you
feel that Jon we're still competed
FOR. The danger was that you might
offend pour present husband IN try
ms to save your former.
And Dicky required saving.
Though he sighed over his wasted
years. abe was conyiaeed that he
still dahblsd IN the muddy pool cf
Broadway. 4
Give. having flung wide the WIN
dows Of his wife's repressicns.
wished he hadn't Dickyss lapses.
reformations. evasions. hogxed two
thirds OF their conversation. Santa
had turned their iove-nest into 4
rescue home. Why did q woman
when she had divorced q man. ieeE
impelled to become . mother to
hint
At the close Of q sample day %
rest. during which Give had sought
sanctuary in his stufky little library,
he protested. Having listened FOR
the intruder's departure. he stepped
into the hall to confront his wife.
This Is becoming too much.r
Il agree. darling" She raised
her face to be- kissed. 'swe've bitten
on more than we can chew"
'sMore than can swallow
she slipped her arm through his
cozxingly.
sPm all worn out Let's talk
while We undress.-