The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-08-01
Chapter IS
THE DINNER

MARSHA moved to stand by him
w before the hearth: he slipped
an arm around her.
Dear" Bob said. 1--WE seen how
yoa have felt all day. l want you to
know and to remember that there's
nothing you need fear because. you
see. no need OF mine is so great as
having You unafraid. content. as
happy as | can make You. Do you
understand"
A hand on her shoulder, he
turned her to him.
"Yes," she answered.
Il love you. very much" he said
next; "You don't at all sense what
that means now you will some
day. 1t means that | don't want to
take from you. but that | want to
give to you. Do make myself al. all
clear?"
Yes" she answered again.
"You are not afraid of my taking
your hand now?" he questioned.
"You were this morning at about ten
minutes past eleven when you
thought I'm alone with him and
I'm married to him. You were a pit
iably frightened child-and it would
kill me to hurt you in any way"
she moved closer to him; he felt
her hands clinging to his. And look
ing down. he saw her lean forward
to kiss the shoulder OF mis- coat. e.
He. held her close; Thank you,"
ne said, and shall. hope that With
time you'll aim a little higher"
She raised her face to his: You
don't need to. pretend gaiety. light
ness" she said. What want is to
have you happy. l have never wanted
anything so much"
She had never spoken so much OF
truth, she knew. She must. deficient
thing though she was. make him
happy. He must never be hurt by
her; his fineness must never be
iessened by her. His arms frightened.
"Are you certain?' he whispered,
after sharp intake of breath.
"Yes!"
He bent his face to hers.
Later, they. drank to the future,
after Ella had appeared, Will dis.
creetly prefacing cough to announce
dinner.
The wind howled around the cot
tage as they ate their first dinner to-
gether; a very. gay meal that was
punctuated by odd. shaken sileRees
when he stared at her, tried to smile
and could not.
Where are we, Bob?" she asked
once.
Paradise" he answered.
"Oh, l know that" (She Was go
ing to be able to do it easily after
all, she decidedly "but the name that
others call it?"
"Easthampton. dear"
Really? 1t has been so odd not
knowing where l stood in any. way!"
You're going to learn. No thank
you, Ella. oh. Ella, will. l didn't
see what was on your tray"
LIE TOOK a generous serving of
L l. the candied sweet potatoes
which he liked usually. Ella knew,
but he hardly ate anything. She
blinked.
She remembered him so clearly as
boy, and his bravery after his
father died in that cruel, quick
way" :. hit in one of the old Eight
buggies" ON the railroad tracks.
And how he had helped his mother
by his bravery.
None finer, and young Mrs. Pow.
ers. Ella knew, was worthy OF him
-. beautiful, beautiful young lady
with eyes that looked as if they
must cry. while turned on him. And
"gentiespoken and seeming rather
shy-like."
"She asked me to tell you," said
Ella later and in the pantry, how
she enjoyed the dinner"
The cook waited by the table.
We'll, go on" she ordered.
Il never saw two more in love, /"
said Ella. "She liked my serving.
She said. 1T was a delightful din
nen Ella and so beautifully served,
and he stood, as she spoke. his hand
on her arm. She wore the dress he
liked best. 1 heard him thank her
-. and she says to him, at that,
she says, I always want to do what
yOa want me to-. she says, and she
choked sayin' it.
1T seemed like they'd both been =
bit lcaAl4s co ne sbrVipk then. |