The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-11-23
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
IA PATH T@PARADISEl
- caas.Iy N.M DAWSON

DAWSON.

ex-nuspanu TO nalper suy@ prUsess
tive sentiments for his successor"
at Is not" Oak adjusted his tie
"By the rules Of the game We ought
to hate each other. We don't"
He waited to be confirmed.
81 like you, Give: you've given
ms reason to like you. When you
allowed your wife to check me up
this summer, ] can imagine how
much your magnanimity cost It's
my turn to be magnanimous-tit
for tat"
He crossed the room to the chair
In which Santa was sitting, with
Give still perched ON the arm be.
side her.
Don't be self.righteous. failed
Santa. If help her in her effort to
help you. l repay q little Of my
debt"
"Clive sees things differently
now" Santa seized hand Of either.
"rm sure I don't know how | de.
served"
go on" Oak urged.
"Clive might not like It."
II shan't mind" Give encouraged.
She laughed eInotionally.
How l deserved two sucn good
men,"
The door had closed behind Oak.
In the hall Santa sighed against
Give.
sim so glad that's settled" +
80 am !, Santa"
"You said that queerly. dearest"
He raised her face and kissed
her solemnly.
Little woman!"
"But what do You mean, Oliver"
"That after this evening, more
than ever, I can't accept"
She stared at him without anger.
"Why?'
A thousand reasons rushed across
his mind, which concentrated in one
reason.
"The way he looked at you. He
knows as much about you 90 ! do"
She retreated. When some min.
utes later he went to join her. the
door was locked. He tapped. No
answer. That night with coats and
cushions he contrived for himself a
nnake-shift bed on the couch.
Unrefreshed. he rose early and
left the apartment without seeing
her. There was only one way now
in which he could win her respect.
A few minutes after Mr.. Cleasby
had entered his Office, Give was
shown in. Mr.. Cleasby glanced up.
frowning over his spectacles.
whats the matter, my boy? You
look as though you'd spent the night
on a park-bench."
TITS that job, SIR. can't take II.
You said something about letting
you know il didn't"
What / said was II you didn't,
we might come to an arrangement.
How much do you consider you're
wOrth?''
They sat and chatted till the mail
was brought in. Mr.. Cieasby cut
short the interview.
When do you want to start?"
To-day, sir, IL it suits You"
Back at his old desk, In the at.
mosphere OF routine. fears by which
he had been menaced retreated.
His hand itched to telephone Santa;
he fought of the temptation.
AS he was approaching the apart.
nnent-house. whom should he see but.
Oak, going In the same direction.
Now that he was quit OF his prede-
cessor's philanthropies, he bore him
no luminosity. He could see even
the comic side OF the encounter.
Hello, good Samaritan" He
Clapped him on the shoulder.
Oak started.
"Look here, old man. think
you're making great mistake"
well. save your breath. You can
say Il all before Santa"
This time che was In the han
waiting. Seeing her husband and
ex,husband enter together she
Jumped TO conclusions.
you've accepted"
Taking her two hands, Give
raised them to his lips.
Il have"
Daring she chung to him. 1--WE
been horrid to you: but It was for
your own good"
"But you've not heard what rye
accepted: q salary OF twelve thou.
sand dollars from old Cleashy--two
thousand more than your friend
here promised"
Well, I'll be darned!" Tears
flowed with laughter. She turned
on Dieky. You = old slavedriveri
What do you mean by trying to buy
my husband for less ti.an market?"
This calls for celebration" he
what form shall it
takef A dinner and a theater?"
New York was treated to the
spectacle OF Santa killing the faited
calf escorted by her two husbands.
fcstwieAf Is5f.Iss?. cssisssby Ds~ss.l
-----