The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-09-06
CnApter 20
FINAL STORM

FINAL STORM
pN0U see | never had anyone to
y lore me or care. and 80 many
men offered me the thing they
called love that began to think Il
q rather tawdry thing which grew
Get of hunger. and made oVereating
and Indigestion afterward. And that
made me marry you as I did. Then,
4 didn't seem serious"
she paused and. because she was
Neak. sagged q little. He stood up,
settled back Of her. ard pulled her
against him.
"Is II better for you this way" he
explained. 'you really shouldn't be
sitting up"
ed rather talk without looking at
yea too" che answered. do you
understand so fart"
Tie said he did. And he added,
~f.st your head rest on my shout.
Ger" and she did.
WELL" she went on, after the
new position was assumed. "you
loved me and began 10 know what
love could be. The sort that is big
enough TO be gentle. to make real
and tender care for the other per.
son. and TO be happiest when the
ether person is happy. You did de-
pend on my moods. didn't you,
n0hg"
"My dear. always"
4 thought so. And all that made
me utterly mad-no. entirely sane
about you. But | couldn't tell you
because Il was so real and big that
Il made me feel like crying lots, and
a. II something were swelling and
cFowdlng my heart. And | used TO
touch your coat and your things in
my room when you weren't there.
suppose that sounds silly"
tie bent his head until his cheek
was against hers. lie couldn't help
IL. he hoped she would forgive him.
and let him have. for the few min.
ates. that much.
"And then" he said in a voice
that was rough. "Geoff came. and
you found the old love"
'Iust as rotten" she said ener
getieally and Enthusiastically. "a:
alwayS knew he was!"
what do you mean?" he blurteC
out. as he moved quickly so that h,
mleht look at her.
Il mean ! disliked him-lovet
you. No. there's more-lOts more
Tie accused me Of forgetting hat
promised TO marry him sometime
yuu see. and said I thought yol
were married and he made me tel
him that that was why | married
you. lie couldn't make me do any
thlng today!D and then you came in
And later you said you didn't wan
ne"
4 lied. did, | will always"
NO. II isn't half over yet. Bob
tie felt her grow limp in his arms
he. himself. quieted and controlle,
every emotion In order that he Nigh
soothe her.
Comfortable" he asked. stif1y
lie felt her nod.
"BOb?"
My dearest?"
"You might kiss me before ! g,
on"
lie caught his breath sharply ant
turned her In his arms only TO b,
stopped with a semihysterical "NC
WON'T Don't. Bob I'll go on
Fut I'll SIT up to do II. And yoI mus
face me. Please. Bob"
Reluctantly. he moved to settle 81
that he faced her.
n WANTED TO be with you. and {
u go back with you. after-afte
mother was through with me. 70
wont understand how much I wan
"a II. because you couldn't knoV
how wonderfully beautiful foun
Il to have people like Won and you
mother care.
"lt seemed sometimes as II
aida't matter how | got back wit
you. so long as did. Ana r piaHne
Q lot. Bob. how I would make 20
love me again. IL I could get O
alone with yon. You see, no one eve
dld really care for me before. nc
had ever cared for anyone eithei
hut am wandering dreadfully."
4 don't mind. but. my dearest.
am getting close to the breakin
point. don't think can stand niue
more without"
lie leaned forward. touched he
hands, her arms. her face. her hal
with broken little staccato caresse!
Gently. but definitely, she put hi
away.
"NOt YETI" she said. and thel
"Your mother didn't write that not
Bob"
What. dear?"
"she didn't write It. wrote It.