The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-11-18
Chapter 20
A JEALOUS SANTA

:. A JEALOUS SANTA
NEXT morning when Give ten.
~ derec her his own gift, his
mood was humble. Dicky had made
unfair competition for him.
: "You ordered me not to spend
too much. You mayn's care for It."
As she lifted the vase from It's
wrappings. her face glowed.
You've disobeyed me, old ex-
travagant How you spoil met"
She was delighted as a child.
Over breakfast she never ceased
thanking him. He lad to narrate
the devious bargainings by which
he had procured It.
In the hall. on the point Of de-.
parture. the offensive bureau caught
his eye. The devil OF jealousy
prompted him.
you've been handsome over my
measly Offering. It isn't Q patch on
the one your first husband sent
you"
He Ionged to beg her forgiveness,
Drifting apart. Going ont Of his
way to wound her. His day was
made miserable BY the recollection.
He came home early to and the
bureau installed a. permanent ac'
QUESTION. Instead Of protesting. be
forced himself to be broad-minded.
The act Of atonement which he had
planned took place at dinner.
Il bought two tickets for n new
musical comedy. II you'd prefer to
scrap them"
stay at homel I should say not.
You are q darling"
Shortly after the curtain had
risen. Santa elutched his hand.
There was no tense moment
there rarely are In musical shows.
to account for her emotion.
whats troubling your he whis-
pered.
"Lou-Lou." "a
Who's Lou-Louf"
You remember at st. Jean.
Dicky's temptress."
He glanced through the imme'
diats andiencs.
''Wheref I never sew her, 80 can't
. recognise her"
Someone behind hushed angrily.
Santa pointed TO the stage aid
nudged her husband. indicating
the actress who was speaking.
Give estimated the charms OF his
wifs's rival. who had led her FIRST
husband astray. She wAi OF the
baby1oll type. fiaxsp and sugary.
The situation was piquant In q
sense b was arbitfating betwsen
Lou.Lsou and his wife.
During the intermission he and
Santa followed the crowd to the
foyer
"she ought not to be allowed
Santa tagged on his arm flercely.
How allowed? Do you mean she
ought 10 be exterminatedf"
TITS insulting to have to watch
hsr. How anyone can be such an
idiet----"
@She's the kind men fall for"
you couldn't Or could yours
she inquired jealousy.
the human heart is q mystery"
he spotted her. who would imag.
ins that you could have fallen Tor
Dicky? TO me she seems o decent
enough little person"
"A poacher who breaks up homes
and makes Q profit by SCI"
Look hero. this was 10 have been
your birthday treat. We can scoot
u you wish f."
Her face softeued.
BUY me some Of those song.rec.
0rds; they're selling them ae that
tabla."
He was glad to give her o chance
90 calm down. She was curiously
lop&ided. Could see only her own
viewpoint Was convinced she was
justified IN condemning Lou-Lou;
but considered him narrow when he
objected TO Oak. To sit the show
cut would mean prolonging the IN.
pieasantness. He would bundle her
CO for q bite OF supper.
Having secured the records, ne
returned 70 where he had ieft her.
lie spotted her behind q bafricade
of shoulders IN animated ccnversa,
ton with an opera-hat. The face
under the opera-hat was turned
from him.
"A be claimed her, shs threw him
q clear look.
. Hello darlingl Here's Dlcky.
Saves me the trouble Of writing. I
was thanking him for cur wedding
present
Good Of yoa to remember M
wifs's birthday" he said shortly.
! Luckily the announeers prsyenl.
Cd further conversation By calling
the nsxt act.
A. they passed down the aisle
Santa hugEed his arm.