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

You're the executive In q thousand
we've been looking for"
It sounded improbable, but Give
was sufficiently human to feel com.
plimented.
"At the start I must appear fool
fish: haven't an idea what win be
my duties"
I'VE deal in securities. Work
along lines similar to those Of your
late employers. Handle estates.
Examine investments.
But why you should have chosen
me?"
Does that NATTER How about
walking round to my club?"
It was an impressive lunch that
his host ordered. Increasingly
Give suspected that he was being
fiattered. That there was a game
he was Convinced when the salary
was mentioned--ten thousand dol.
lars; the precise sum that Santa
had stated.
"Then we may expect you tomor.
row% his host asked at parting.
LET me sleep over It,"
"As you like. ia hoped you would
decide at once"
81 don't want to appear ungra.
cious," Give hesitated.
Wen consider no one else till
we hear from you"
AS hts key turned in the latch
Santa opened to him. She hailed
him as conquering hero.
"Hello. big shot!, How does it
feel to be inportant?"
Like fairy-tale. Il would il I'd
accepted"
"You mean you've refused?"
I'm to give my answer tornor.
row."
"But, Give. you can't afford to
be high-hat. Give It today. Every.
thing win be settled"
Guess I'll wait till tomorrow"
He escaped down the passage TO
the bedroom.
High-hat-good heavens! When
1t came to affording, he couldn't
afford to be married. He conjured
to himself what ten thousand dol
lars o year would mean to him:
self-respect, IL he could earn II
honestly. But why the pressure?
Why the secrecy? Santa could put
him wise. With coaxing she would
tell him.
Throughout dinner she didn't
breach the subject. After dinner
she played patience, while he
feigned to read. The clock struck
nine. She yawned and bundled her
cards together.
"The end Of a perfect dayl And
so to bed"
He glanced from hts book dis she
pecked his forehead.
whats wrong?"
Nothing" She gazed down Sc
renely.
"But there is. Why so much
mystery? Having done me good
turn. you spoil it by treating me as
an imbecile."
Darling, you're ffervously ex.
hausted. You see the ghosts that
amt. When you've cinched that
Job tomorrow we must run down
for q change to Atlantic City"
kissing the tips OF her fingers.
she retreated.
He resumed his book, postponing
the curtain-lecture which he felt
sure awaited him.
In that she fooled him. At eleven
when he retired she was peacefully
sleeping.
According to routine, having
breakfasted, clad In negiigee she
accompanied him to the threshold.
With the meekness of q saint she
kissed him dutifully.
The door had closed. He tapped
for remittance.
what is it?' She stood facing
him.
"This is absurd"
Il agree. You're too difficult for
anything" ~
You're the one who's difficult.
Santa. You're trying to browbeat
me into obeying you as though
were q kid in short pants. You
know something you don't dare tell
met"
She stared back In dumb appeal.
you don't dare tell me. because
II you did I wouldn't accept"
She drew her wrap closer.
And for your obstinacy there's
only one reason: you hate to place
yourself under an obligation to your
wife"
He fumbled for words. "If hus.
bands always obeying his wife's
orders, he never gets time to be
himself"
You've had two months with
nothing to do but be yourself"
Careful. Santa. That's q left.
over from your first marriage"
Again my flrst marriage!"
Tears filled her eyes. without q
backward look he darted for the
elevator.
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