The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-11-22
PARADISE
DAWSON.

store the balance. You and Santa
are suffering from repressions. She
probably requires stimulating -
finds your politeness nauseating.
Your retort is obvious: Physician
heal thyself.' It's too late for me
to start Besides, your mother.in,
law bruises readily"
what rot You talk, Guardie! ]
came for advice. ! haven't the least
idea how Santa bruises, but / do
know that il were rough with her.
you'd be the last person to stand for
it."
I'D stand for anything that was
good for my child. Since you're not
partial to my first remedy. adopt
my second: laugh her out of her
Stiffness"
| "You think / am taking her too
seriously?"
Heaven. yes. They took each
other too seriously could be writ.
ten across half the divorces. One
has to have cared tremendously for
q woman to have parted from her."
Give stirred.
"The same applies to q girl who
divorces man, reckon"
Their eyes met, and glanced
aside. Both made as if to speak.
At last the older man faced the is
sue.
you're thinking of Oak. He had
an undoubted fascination for Santa.
To you she's probably pretended
that he hadn't. Steer clear of him.
On no pretext whatsoever allow
yourself to become involved with
him"
Give lurched to his feet.
II wonder where she is at pres.
emit"
Wondering the same about you.
I'll bet dollars to doughnuts she's
sitting at home scared stiff that
you've deserted her."
'I'll put your mind at rest" Give
reached for the telephone.
His father-in-law intercepted him.
BE an artist. A telephone spoils
the drama of reconciliation"
At the door he aided cynicaIly,
'It also gives a wife time to think
up new monkey-shines."
One comfort live had derived
from his interview with his father.
in-law--he had been assured that
his lot was average. On his wed.
ding morning he had promised him.
self that it should be sublime. He
was climbing down from those dizzy
attitudes where he had believed
that character coulu' be reborn by
|linion with ano' r mortal.
Santa had never shared these ex.
aggerated hopes. II might be that
in his anxiety to see her as more
perfect than was possible, he had
spurred her to give too hectic proofs
Of affection. TO that extent he was
blame-worthy.
Arrived before the dark pile In
which he dWelt, he raised his eyes
and noticed that the windows of his
apartment were illumined. A pro-
pitious sign. The hour was ap-
preaching eleven. Santa must have
returned ahead OF him. As he
crossed the threshold, she would
throw her arms about him, com,
pletely contrite. A wife In million
had been her fathers verdict.
But she wasn't lowering In the
hall when he entered. AS he re-
moved his coat and hat, he coughed
unnecessarily to appriss her.
"That your" she called in q voice
that held no hint OF tragedy.
"Took . run over 10 see your IA
ther," he called back.
Thoughtful Of you. But you're al
ways thoughtful"
Compliments when he had expect.
ed tears! Women were incalcula.
BILE.
Excuse me-" he heard her muir
muir. 49,
So she had companyi That &C
counted for her suayity. The next
moment her vivacious face popped
rabbit-wise from the doorway fur.
Their down the passage.
Being all for peace. he caught her
10 him.
$50 glad you haven't been alone"
Then he enQuired by dumb signs
regarding her visitor
"You precious!" She disentan-
gied herself. weaving her arm
through his.
From q deep armchair. its back
toward them. a thin column OF
smoke was rising. A blond head
thrust itself up. which turned slow
u, revealing . fine set OF teeth. q
clipped mustaehs and insoIsntly
amused blue eyes.
"What does this meant" Give
challenged.
fcstuisaf islI.Isi5. cssiasshy Dswss.)
u ls the enc man IN all the worla
Give desests whom he fnda, fos