The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-11-08
Chapter 20
a MARRIAGE CONTRAST


a MARRIAGE CONTRAST
CHE was awakened By the sound
~ Of bath-water. Peeping above
the sheets. she was dazzled by a
flood Of spring sunshine. Tapping
the window-sill stretched an abyss
Of blue. She hadn't felt so light.
hearted since nursery days when.
as now. she had had someone to
take care of her.
Give tiptoed from the bathroom
tousleheaded. his every movement
eloquent Of his anxiety not to dis.
turb her. She slipped back on the
pillows. feigning to doze for the lux.
airy Of watching his consideration
Cor her. A
When he was fully dressed. he
telephoned in a lowered voice to
have his breakfast sent up. She
eontriVed a yawn.
You may have mine sent up,
Eoo."
Awake? I hope / didn't"
what was the idea?" she chaffed
him. Were you planning to sneak
on without kissing me good-morn-
lngr
Everything i've heard or read
about girls is sheer rubbish" said
Give.
~What have you heard and read?''
Breakfast arrived. He drew the
table to the bedside and waited on
her. keeping track of the time by
occasional glances at his wrist.
watch.
Till he'd married he'd always
heard, he confessed. that even the
best of Santa's sex were double.
erossers. Almost every novel taught
that love was madness and mar
rage trap. Lies of that sortl
"And what have you found. dar.
hngf" Santa cuddled her cheek
against her velvety white shoulder
''If you could see yourselfI" be
spoke earnestly. You're the most
perfect thing. Santa. have to tel
you. You may think I'm piling uT
o lot of words. But here's what you
are to me: you're the road L
heaven"
He laughed systematically un
der her tender scrutiny.
Il feel so humble. Santa--so dull
and ordinary. When I'm away from
you, ] want TO run back because 8
doesn't seem true that you coult
have given yourself to me. WIZ
did you. Santa?"
"Idiotic OF me. wasn't TT"
"Well. here's what I'm trying Il
say. darling. | don't know wha
win make you happy. whatever 4
Ia. I'll get IL for you. All my lif,
I'll serve you. But at first. TN
set forward. you must have pa
kience."
Alone in the still room, she &C
cused herself Of play.acting. Beinl
married was normal to her: TO hin
II vas al so amazing. How could |
girl be married for thu first TIM
twice9 That was the only miracl'
that would satisfy him. Sh'
watched. as an amused spectators
her attempts to play the TIME
bride.
II he were sensible instead of ig
noring her experience. he ought 4
use II ~ q chart to the dangers d
avoid. To have TO appear to agre,
that they were the exception to mat
Cd couples cast q shadow Of insir
cerity ever all their relations.
she attired herself slowly. ]
was a relief not 10 be watched. o.
one side Of his nature Give was
small child. intrusively curious
she'd forgotten that any man coulI
be 90 innocent. She dreaded tn
day when she would disappoin
him.
@Cheer up, little road to heaven.
abe addressed herself in the mirror
~The first man thought too lightl
OF you: the second thinks too high
". One dragged you down: th
other drags you up Gosh. your
hard to pleased" Then applying
nnal touch OF llpstick. "You certain
u look ravishing."
She spent the rest OF tho da
climbing stairs and mounting !
elevators. Toward late Afternoon
IN Central Park West. she foun
the nest for which she was searcl
ing.
Il don't think I need consult m
husband" she told the agent. "r
close the deal now and pay you
deposit"
The man examined her check.
sits good" she smiled disarn
Iiasly.
-And how about reference
iMadamf"
-fm doing sAis as a surprise q
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