The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-03-17

Norman started to tread water,
went under wave and coming up
looked as dignified as young man
might look under the circumstances.
Judy listen. I've never had any
idea of marrying Matilda. AS for
mothers coming to live with us-if
| had -. well Tilda's the only per
son she's never been able to whip at
bridge and life would have been one
long tournament, and l don't like
tournaments"
Judith wasn't jealous of Mathile
Bevins. She assured herself of this
the day they moved into "Hillendale
Cottage" However. she didn't un.
derstand why. with thirty-one days
to October. Mathile had to chose
that particular day for the Naiad to
dock at the turning basin.
Someone had to drive down for
Mrs. Dale. senior. and someone had
to stay at the house to attend to
the last moment affairs. Judith pre-,
ferred being at the house.
This sho' is a pretty house. Miss
Judy" wheezed Delphy. sinking into
deep chair in the living room. with
the easy familiarity of one bon t.
the family
And you like your quarters.
Delphy? How about Lige, is it go.
ing to be too far from town for
him?"
Laws no, that boy he kin get up
a one man crap game, an It's a sight
easier on me when he loses to his.
self"
She looked out on the long room
with its quaint fixtures. pale yellow
walls and sea-green drapes.
Seems right nice Twin here with
furnichnr been polishin' thirty
years. Member how Mas Anthony
brung 1t long from 'ginia. Mig Dale.
the she don't need no furniture
'ceptin' a card table. Many's a time
said s a shame she weren't BON a
man SOS she could put that there
mind O. hers to business. Some wo-
men ought to have a dozen chilern'
or a boardin' house 20 keep them
busy. and she's one
Judith smiled a small secret smile
as she thought of Clia-"Mrs. j. An
thOny Dale" ella had said, sis fine
example of a good business woman
finding an outlet for her talent in
social piracy"
A FEW nights later. In the throes
\ of giving her first formal dinner,
she thought again Of what ella and
Delphy had said. Trembling with
fatigue and excitement she sat be-
Ion , her dressing room table trying
10 fasten the strap of her beige vel
vet gown.
Twenty guests suppose one or
two were late. didn't. come Lige
must remember Big Tom was TO
have only water. no wine. no coffee
and afterwards. the orchestra
was to begin with the Venetian
Suite Dolores looked so lovely
behind her huge harp =. she men.
toned this to Norman, who was
with his tie.
Reminds me-" he said. "T'll put
up a card table in the den. that's far
enough away SO the few who have
TO have their bridge won't be an
noyed."
Judith looked into the mirror.
Would the time come when she
would be like this mother Of his?
Would marriage and motherhood
eave her life so empty she'd want
70 return to the business world out
Of sheer boredom?
Norman and Judith spent their
irst Thanksgiving with the Bevins
and as fond as was Judith of Big
Tom she began to look upon his
lamily RS flies in the amber of her
But Thanksgiving was not as mo-
lotonous as Judith had anticipated.
Big Toms delight at having her
here made up for Mathile's insist.
ance upon monopolizing Norman.
Ind when the engineer, so clearly
showing the mark OF illness, took
her into the library to- show her q
miniature dam he had constructed,
'he became completely absorbed in
he project.
And then time passed anc some
how 1t seemed to her she had always
lived there; had always been mar.
RED to Norman. There was nothing
II watching the mantel clock for the
hands to point to the hour his car
would purr up the driveway and she
would meet him at the door. TO re-
mind her OF the lonely nights 10 her
apartment.
The unity Of their life and love
vas so perfect she made no attempt
10 analyze It, or fear Il too perfect
10 last.
And then. like the SCATTERING OF q
fragile prism. came a telephone mes
sase In the midst OF their Valentine
party.
Tom Bevins had dropped dead.
fcOpSFtsAs. 1884. By JsGaas B0seHscaI
Monday. judith shoulders heavy