The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-10-26
AW4ON

Vlnceu 1u were OOFu 70 run lie.
"But Dicky." she protested In pa.
tient denial, Il don't want to rur
you. II | drag you from your bed and
try to spur your ambition. It's be-
cause share your fortunes. I'd give
anything to have a husband on
whom l could depend"
you've said it." He pointed an
accusing finger. "You don't trust
me-"
20, Dicky, must l tell You that
again? You're irresponsible as
mischievous boy. What happened
last night was an example You take
me to q dance and then vanish. A
couple | hardly know feel sorry for
me and bring me home. You return
by yourself hours later. HOY. you'd
spent your time was obvious"
last night was an exception
he avoided her eyes.
They're all exceptions" she &C.
cused him. you're becoming
booze-hound. The habits growing.
Nice people steer clear OF you"
He sat up with as much dignity
as man in pyiamas can muster.
$50 that's your opinion of me on
our first anniversary"
(which you didn't remember"
she challenged.
Rubbish" he coaxed. 1--WE don't
get along too badly"
She perched herself on the foot
OF the bed.
"An older woman might have
handled you. Dicky. There're II
years between US. We belong to diff
ferent generations"
Any reference to his age irritated
him.
Handled! There you go. Can't
you get it into your head that man
detests to be managed? And the DIFF.
ference In our ages was your reason
for accepting me. You were sick of
boys; a man Of the world could
make allowances"
She nodded.
"But didn't realize that men OF
the world make allowances In order
to be excused. I've been excusing
you since the third night of our
honeymoon"
"The trouble between u.s." he
clustered, sis that you have money
at moment when / haven't"
II knew that was coming" Her
face darkened. "You paid for the
honeymoon: since then I've paid for
everything"
"My bad luck" he countered.
WAS to blame that my real es.
tate venture went bust? certainly
did you royalty so long as had
money"
"And yourself as we'll. Your
money lasted as long as our honey.
moon"
Everything depends on the inter.
probation" he sneered.
sit does" She continued relent.
lessly. you've never played the
game by me. IL you had. I'd stake
you with my last dollar. But from
the first day you nlisreDresented
yourself You didn't lie outright, but
you implied by your extravaganza
that You were prosperous"
$50 shall be when the old man
dies"
"But you're not and you weren't
when We became engaged. You
must have known that your real
estate development was on the
rocks. A short life and merry one
was your policy: so you grabbed
me as life-saver."
His face quivered.
There was only one reason--that
l loved you"
"You'Ve o quaint idea Of love-"
she retortsd. "Your love wasn't like
mine. Mine was new; yours was
shop-soiled. At home was treated
as innocent. You've thought 1t clever
to treat me as ,lackguard."
Lord. Santa. you're bitter! You
were ths one who didn't want me
to be questioned. In your heart you
doubted me and yet you were afraid
OF losing me-"
She stared at him forlornly.
I'D better get dressed" be ended
tie discussion.
She sat still as q statue when
he'd gone. Ten years from now, un.
less she did something drastic, he'd
be Just as unconvinced by her ar.
guments. Somehow she must save
him. II she were to leave him, she
might trighten him. Suddenly, In an
appalling fash OF insight. she reaL
ICED that her physical longing was
TO set away from him. Acting on
the impulse. with no thought Of
consequences. she tiptoed to their
bedroom and began TO pack.
As she finished strapplng her
suitcase. she looked up to ind Ann,
chunky and cheerful. smiling In on
her.
TELL Mr. Oak IN be away for a
few days" She spoke breathlassly
And Il you ask my opinion,
which you haven't" Ann grinned
broadly. II think you're doing the
right thing. Madam
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IT'S curious retura 20 the family
root'tfee that Santa nakss, %.
naorfeN.