The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-11-16
Chapter u

tssts tt.
Chapter %
THE CATASTROPHE
CHED been right. Il had been fun
- to return TO the old apartment
and make q bed late at night,
lslghing like a pair of children. It
was even more fun to wake in the
mDxning and quarrel over who
aAould cook the breakfast--then 70
dheover that there was nothing In
f1n ice-box.
Let's 90 cuckoo" she suggested.
- they dressed and sailed forth
lnIe sun-washed streets. which
wks almost empty.
why, OF coursei It's Sunday"
g&ta solved the riddle OF their
siptiness.
they strolled in the Park and
w&ched the riders. Visited the
Metropolitan Museum. Hired q boat
c4the ornamental lake. Went to q
m@ing picture In the evening. On
% walk home. Santa jerked his
40.
How much has It cost?"
Less than five dollars. Why?"
We never needed to have gone
akoad to be happy, Give. We can
bkhappy anywhere"
text morning, being Monday. IN
q hood OF forced cheerfulnesB he
sc OF TO report to Mr.. Cleasby.
Shta was his mascot. She had per.
s&ded him. contrary to reason.
tlAt because she was his wife no
e% could befall him.
&c parting he had asked. whats
yer program7"
fI'lI invent one" she had replied
vaguely.
When he admitted himself to the
aaartment that evening, how she
hid occupied herself was obvious.
rigs had been laid. photograph.
frames. lamps and bric-a-brac were
IN their accustomed places. In the
narrow hall he paused. The smell
Of cooking. Voices. She had engaged
q maid. Her persistency was daunt'
Ing.
You're late, darling" Santa vel
ctmed him. Barely time "a
Change"
In the bedroom he found further
proofs of her devotion. Her efficien
cy astounded him. His clothes had
been spread out with the expertnssl
Of q valet: shoes in the right place;
seeks beside them; shirt studded;
tub filled and scented with bath
salts. Everything orderly; nothing
foxeoften.
THE return OF the wage.earnerl'
He frowned at himself In the mirror
Her pretence that he was mastel
Of the establishment was madden
Ing. This was her first step toward
making the apartment again a hab
Il In each and ali OF these atten
tions he discerned strategy. Shed
stolen a march on him. BY subtle
batteries she was attempting h
purchase his compliance. Having
pledged herself TO consult him
ahe'd barged ahead as though hs
didn't figure in the picture.
A doubt crossed mis- mind. Was hC
being fair? Possibly this was hel
mistaken idea Of sheltering him.
The table was beautifully set. Al
M pushed In her chair. she smiled
M at him bewitchingiy.
I've ordered everything yol
Ike
She was expecting him to remark
On the transformation she had
wrought
Everything I like! For In
efance7"
"Caviare. mushroom soup. squad
endive salad. hot-house grapes"
"Been blowing yourself. Ant
orchids. BY gosh!@
AFTER perching IN hotels. being
NY own housekeeper went to my
head"
While the strange maid lowered
eanversation had 20 be general
With the postponement Of theil
psDblems a polite estrangemenl
grew between them. They laughet
and chatted like chance acouaint
ences.
When coffee had been served ant
they were alone there was = pause
-How did things GOT" she en-
anired.
Cant talk here
In the drawing room. snug with
Aaded lamps and spacious will
Alongs OF STARTLED sky. having er
nnged herself decoratively on thI
Gnch. she awaited him.
shave q cigarette?" he ap
noaehed her.
THANKS. old man. Light Ii for me
mdn'e things 60 wellS"
~Rottenly. The firms bust
aan't see Cleashy. He's enjoying
mnrwous breakdown, The ONCE q
heiug MANAGED by q receiver"