The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-12-21

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when I'm In love with them. But.
generally, they refuse"
She felt the blood scorch her face.
She was not Jealous. It was not
that. It was that there were so
many rumors in this little town
about Mark and his affairs; there
was a very nearly substantiated
story about Mark and leila Cane
and somehow Barbara could not
bear that curious coarseness In
Mark, that laid these things bare.
She regained her control with
an effort. 30 4
There is still time for me to fall
into line with thu OTHERS, she. said
quietly. .Say what Is In your mind
instead of--of batting me into say.
ing it. That's-vulgar."
She knew. az she used the word,
that it was the wrong one. To ac-
cuse him OF vulgarity was to strike
home, and under the smart OF de-,
served blow. he could be devilish.
She stumbled on and made things
worse.
II think we shall have to decide
tonight, one way or the other. be-
cause II you don't want to live in
Toxeter I ought to close the shop
there and accept that London con.
tract"
Beautiful Barbara, how could
the whims of.a. foolish. coy creature
like me be allowed to interfere with
Big Business? And. by the way.
how was business today? Isn't that
the question that every loving help
meet huris at tho weary wage-earn-
er before helm gorry--she falls
upon the evening bones"
She said nothing. She need not,
surely. help him to torture her. The
mouse need not stay alive to amuse
the cat. She wondered. dazedly. for
she was tired and sick at heart
whether Mark would kill her one
day. :. He had shifted over to one
side and was watching the fire. Only
Mark could make a silence so fright.
ening.
She found herself breaking It. af-
ter all. she told him how business
was and how she hoped 1t would be.
Forgetting him, for moment. she
stepped into the future. calculating.
planning. So much for their living
expenses In Toxeter. so much to pay
on the mortgage on the little house
sle had, taken there, so much for
holidays and health. "And your
legacy for absolute emergencies.
Mark. It's blessed to know that
that will always be there"
sf"oh, didn't tell ron? spent II. !"
She bit OF her. exclamation. Quite
iiseless--worse than useless to ex-
claim OYER Mark Sheasat helpless.
the mouse waiting for the claws to
strike again, Mark was drawing
something from under his pillow.
He tossed 1t into her lap.
"Gift or the bridegroom to the
bride. Open It, beautiful Barbara.
II cost such D lot and It is so 50.
premely out OF place"
She opened the case. A very fine
bemerald lay on pale jade velvet and
. platinum chain was coiled round
II. The setting was platinum. too.
and unusual--a spiders web. fine
but strong. in which the jewel was
i1visibly held.
with unsteady fingers she closed
the case. She did not like enler-
aids. He knew she did not like
emeralds. It was Leila Cane who
liked them. Three hundred pounds
Tor an unwanted emerald when II
wAs going to be o struggle to find
enough for rent and food!
/ She fell. for the Arst time In her
life, the desire to strike the smile
from his face. She clutched the
case. her breath ragged. Take good
care OF Mark--good caregood care
che couldn't help being like this
he was q cripple. shut of from life.
bitter. frustrated.
~Barbara--'
ne had haltTisan and flung out q
hand. but she could not 20 to him
yet. a inoment--give her moment
she sensed that he had flung
away the black mood; be would be
6h&fniinE nov. gentle. perceptive,
Immensely appealing. A moment
and abe would be able to take his
hand.
Barbara, don't shut your face mp
like that Don't lock me out OF your
eyes Ike thatl I won't be beast
any more. I'm damned sorry"
In q moment. In Q moment When
. hurt goes deep, one must beg just
= moment--
Barbara. come over here"
She turned stiftly. still not look.
Ing at him. She would have gone TO
him. OF course. but at that moment
the door opened and Mrs. Lodely
came In. followed by the man who
had pulled her back on to the pave.
ment In the Yarn Market.
tCopgrisAt. 1888. julio cleft- Addas.s,
sarbars. ton,orrew. does some