The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-11-23
Chapter 80
DIcKY HELPS THINGS"

Chapter 33
DIcKY "HELPs THINGS"
CANTA laughed nervously, keep
~ ing tight hold of Give.
"Clive darling, you can be pc.
culiar."
Oak stood up, attired in full eve
ing-dress. gardenia In his button
hole.
Every nice!" Give surveyed him
from head to heel. "And Santa, too.
1 notice, IL dressed to kill"
But why the hostility. my dear
boyr Oak stroked his clipped mus
tache. I'VE were friends when last
we parted"
''If you must be angry, scold me, .
Santa pleaded. II sent for him."
20, WE'LL II you sent for him.
"She certainly did" Oak held
out his hand. II broke dinner en-.
gagement--hence the glad rags.
You're a suspicious bird. Give.
Guess 1 took you by surprise"
To bridge the awkwardness Give
suggested refreshments
mo. You continue the entertain
Ing, Santa. I'll fetch them"
What to dot How to act? The
situation called for strong arm
methods. only this wasn't the mid.
die ages. Were he to throw Oak
out, he would cast aspersions on
Santa. Extreme composure was his
safest weapon.
As he set down the tray, he mus
tered a grin.
Let me into your secret"
Were committee Of two" Oak
helped himself to tumbler, zap.
pointed to do you good"
But what Give wants to know
10 why I sent for you, don't you,
darling" Santa patted the arm Of
her chair for her husband to perch
beside her. II sent for Dicky be-
cause you'd misunderstood me. !
wanted him to corroborate my
statements"
Give took possession Of her hand
that wore his wedding ring.
1T would be a mad world, Santa,
II 1t were necessary for your first
husband to guarantee your truth.
fulness to your second"
She sQuirmed.
THAT'S how he twists every
thing. You tell him, Dicky."
Oak spread out his legs ana lay
back, blowing spirals and clasping
the tumbier to his white. starched
breast. o.s-A
my mission. phrased colloQaial.
ly, Is TO prevent you from cutting
on your nose to spite your face"
start at the beginning" Santa
interrupted. you remember in the
thsater on my birthday night, when
you found me talking to Dicky 2
We were talking about you. He'd
heard about Cross and Cleasby's
failure aud wanted to know wheth.
~ you we're In q new position. OF
course l said you weren't and that
you wero horribly discouraged. He
pencilled an address. You know the
rest You're so ungracious about
accepting fayors that We both
agreed to keep Dicky's name q 90.
creG Unfortunately you nossd ont
our secret. You so on. Dleky.s
There isn't much left Oak
refiled his tumbler and again re-
laxed. "Santa's no longer my wife.
but I'm still interested in her wel-
fare You'll grant that's natural.
I want her to be happy. She can't
be happy while you're dashing in
search of Jobs as distractedly as q
chicken without q head. I'm offer
ing you q job--a good one. You're
ineonslderate to refuse 1t. You can
have only one reason: I'm the OBJ
lection"
In his effort to keep calm Give
grimaced furiously.
IN would seem So"
But why obiectH" Oak drew
himself together. Surely not be.
cause I was once married to herr"
I'm afraid So" Give nodded.
Petty OF me-"
Oak flipped his ash.
-Mid-victorian. A man OF your age
has no excuse for being old-fash.
toned"
That's as f." Give shrugged his
shoulders. Probably I've not had
your opportunities"
Don't be tiresome. darling" San.
"a rubbed her head against him.
SILLY pride is the real obstacle"
Give addressed Oak.
We've discovered two explana.
tons for my conduct. silly pride and
that I'm old.fashioned. Your motives
are Btill hidden. II isn't usual for an