The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-08-25

ne was staring somhrely at the rug
at his feet. He did not see her trem.
bling, she realized with a covert.
testing glance. And the fact that
she was doing 1t rather well, gave
her new strength.
She told Bob next of what his
mother had said of him; of all that
had happened. He seemed to listen
soddenly. but she understood his
suffering.
Was it reasonable or fair?" he
questioned abruptly. She knew Bob
spoke of his failure to reach home
in time.
NO." she answered, Il don't
think 1t was. But It is one Of those
facts that can curdle a life if yourl
let it. You'd better talk all You can
OF your resentment. think 1t rather
helps"
He said. frowning. moving uneasi-
~. I'D so wanted to come: I'd
thought so continually of it. And
there was no getting away. I'm not
the worlds marvel. but | was the
only man they could get now who
could swing that job. And my paus.
ing meant stopping the work of
others. They couldn't stand the q.
nancial strain of any pause.
Il thought of it. weighed It.
couldn't see how could leave"
i know" he heard, "and so did
your mother; she understood Der.
fectly. She spoke again and again
In way that made me know she
did. And the doctor had told me, and
Id written you, that her life would
be longer. You must not reproach
yourself"
He ran his hands through his
stiff. sandy hair; ''for the sake OF
the workers and the company the
work had to go on!" he said ierkily.
but 1t wasn't reasonable for God.
or whatever 1t is who runs things.
to make me The one man fitted to the
job. thought"
II know" Marsha murmured.
Bob thought duly. "You have the
most beautiful eyes" they were
filed with sympathy and feeling:
and they seemed to caress him.
You see, wanted to come every
\ second. But | kept thinking of
what my betrayed trust would mean
to workers. stockholders, to the
men who head the firm"
II know" Marsha murmured vet
again. Once more he saw. and acute.
.ly. her eyes: her wonderfully kind
and beautiful eyes. For a moment
he was silent. looking into them:
he saw her flush slightly and real
lied how pale she had been.
ut wasn't reasonable. was it?" he
probed as would child who is pun
ished unjustly.
at does not, seem so, Bob" she
conceded. 'but it is a fact you can't
change"
Am | weak wilmer"
''No. oh no! Talk 10 out all you
can; your resentment, but remem.
Der that your measure must be.
now. little small"
He poured himself another cup of
coffee; she leaned across the table
to drop half lump of sugar into the
cup.
You remember WE'LL" he said,
and he saw her eyes yelled by hurt.
Il do remember rather too well,
sometimes" she agreed. He would
never know how she remembered,
OF course. she reasoned, nor of how
the lean feed on foods the fat of
heart despise."
Rather stupidity he brought forth
his cigarets. and held lighter to
hers and then to his. AS the smoke
circled and rose to make a faint
blue haze in the stately room he
found himself talking of things that
had troubled him all the way home.
There were other things that
bothered him; little neglects that
had grown disproportionate because
of the finality Of death. One year
he'd forgotten her birthday until it
was we'll past. On another occasion
he had laughed over those standing
ash trays and 1t seemed she had
got him one for a surprise. . He
stopped speaking, and Marsha
leaned forward to cover his hand
with hers.
you are morbid" she said. "You
won't be able to help being so. am
afraid. but yon can help yourself q
little by realizing that you are NOR
bid, and unfair to yourself. You
were always SO fine to her! So dear.
Please believe mel"
He was afraid to move his hand,
for fear that hers might be taken
from 1t. After q few seconds. she
slipped her other hand beneath
Bob's, and so clasped it between
both of hers. 1t seemed as If she IN
derstood his needs and much he
could not say.
(ceswisht. 1884, BY K. Rsg5aaR-TSylsrI
Sch and Marsha return, Monday.
10 their own problem.