The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-11-02
Chapter is
ENTER DickY

Chapter Is
ENTER DicKY
.lCPRING again. The white dusk of
~ an April evening. Trees below
in Gramercy Park. Taxis halted be-
fore the Players Club. Give
sprawIed in a chair in the bachelors
apartment he had occupied since his
return from Europe. His firm had
wished to send him back to Vienna
He'd refused for the secret reason
that Santa's divorce was pending.
For the thousandth time he was
reviewing his relations with her.
The loyalty he was displaying was
asinine. Each time he had given
her a fresh chance she'd failed him.
He supposed she would continue to
fail him to the end of the chapter.
When she was free and he sought
TO claim her, she would probably
declare that she was sick of mar.
riage His next news would be that
she was honeymooning with an.
other fellow.
He came to grips with himself:
Santa was his vice. In other direc-
tons he could discipline his crav-
ings; where she was concerned
there was no bridling them. That
this should be so reused his indig-
nation. The goal he'd set himself
was to become a leader. That he
could succeed he'd proved during
the year abroad. He never ought to
have re-sought Santa. He was again
her slave, spellbound. interminably
awaiting her pleasure.
Already he had been penalized for
his infatuation. His impolitic reluc-
itance to represent his firm In Eu.
irope had lowered his standing with
Mr.. Cleasby.
And here was revealed the obsti-
nate idiocy OF his conduct: since
that night when Santa kissed him
80 impetuously, he had not seen her.
He had been permitted to render
her no service. Had been forbidden
ever to write to her.
keep out Of the picture" her
father had advised. adding that IL
he intruded he might complicate
matters by getting himself quoted
las the alienator OF her affections. So
for six months he'd marked time,
uniformed as to what was happen
Ing and powerless to help her.
The telephone tinkled.
There's Mr.. Oak down here
inquiring for you"
Give thought furiousIy. An inter.
view would probably end in a fight.
Still he might learn something.
.Send him up"
A tap. Give opened. The two men
stared in the wA1ing light. In Oaks
regard there was no enmity.
"Come in," Give invited. .This
is bit unexpected"
For me. too" Dicly smiled.
Removing his coat, he tossed a
aside. He was in evening-dress.
"Sit down. How about q olga.
rette9"
Dicky accepted.
81 discovered your address from
the Princeton Club. OF course you're
wondering why"
Frankly am"
"Then let me explain. I'm at my
Wits end. I've seen Santa's father,
He'll have nothing to do with me"
us that surprising?"
Il should say not. But that leaves
you as the last court OF appeal"
Cant see what have to do
with it."
"You can persuade her"
..To what?s
sTo drop the divorce"
Clive made his tone Indifferent.
why on earth should interfere?
Save for an accidental meeting al
her parents house. | haven't seen
her since your marriage. have no
Influence"
-You have" Dicky leaned for.
ward. Being a bachelor. you don't
know wives. They treasure an ideal,
You're hers. All the noble qualities
abe denies to me. she attributes Ia
lyou. Without the least intention,
you've made unfair competition for
me-"
This sounds nonsense"
Il agree" Dieky laughed "But n
Isn't. You're the white.haired boy,
II you were to tell Santa that she
fought TO take me, back. she would
pay attention.
Give blew a ring OF smoke.
"Supposing don't think she
oaght to take you back? From al
I've heard you've been beast "a
her"