The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-03-23
Chapter II
NEW RIFT

NEW RIFT
THE meal over, dishes back in the
kitchen. Norman found an old
scarlet dressing gown, dug in its
pockets for pipe and pouch, then
filling and lighting the pipe sank
into the divan.
Judith, at gestured invitation,
curled into the circle Of his free
arm, wide eyes on the flames shoot.
ing up through the oak logs. Out
side, twilight was moving in, a cold
spring wind in its wake. The leaf.
less arms OF the nearest tree rubbed
fretfully against the house, the fire
craekled-"Happy?" inquired Nor.
man. contentedIy. -
=. Perfectly"
wish this could go on forever.
he unused. mo more outside influ.
ence. Sounds archaic. maybe, but !
believe there's a primitive need IN
every man for a home OF his own;
y'know. the kind Of a need that
forces him to go out and make good
in business like"
Like the cavemah in the forest
made good with his billy club?" In
quired Judith.
Judy. you're laughing ct me-"
EMO I'm not. I'm Just thinking
how nice It is to be your particular
woman. to say nothing OF living In
such a cave"
Il like this cave too" he said,
boyishly possessiye.
She knew he had had but little
home life: as ella had said, PLENTY
OF house and nobody in It."
He settled back again. and then
into their peaceful moment came
the whirr OF the telephone. Judith
not wanting to listen. couldn't help
hearing few words and was ready
for something unpleasant by the
time he returned.
Jude" under the brave scarlet
coat his shoulders were. sagging.
Il forgot to tell You. Lampere has
called a meeting OF stockholders
and the board OF directors for the
company. tomorrow at three. He
wants you there"
She nodded. She remembered
dImly that Poppy Neville was Civ
ing a one O'Clock luncheon and she
had promised to help. Would she
have time TO change? She shouldn't
90 10 such a meeting in a ruined silk
suit and Dolly Warden hat.
Judith" Norman interrupted
her thoughts. "I'd promised myself
wouldn't discuss this Beyin1 mat.
ter with you. but you're my wife and
can't let you go TO that meeting
unprapared. want you to know
what other people know.
"Judy.girl. wonder IL you real
Ized that Big Tom had been losing
his mind during the last few months
OF. his life: in fact that he. had q
serious brain affection at the time
he drew up that new will?"
JUDITH jumped from the encir.
y cling haven OF her husbands
arm.
Norman" she cried.
"There. Judy. DON. take It like
that. It was bound to be a shock TO
you. know. but I thought Il was
better for me to tell ron than some
one else"
Norman she repeated, this
time bT0kenly.
"Yes dear. Il probably came from
sort OF a helated snn.stroke. You
remember how we suffered on that
trip? Why. healthy as. am. there
were times when nearly went
under. Il seems Biz Tom stood up
9A&t8@ aG NAA1NsAt1AA8tA#asDAA AH0z I84s
but the moment he. got back home
where he. could relax, the whole
thing came down on him like a ton
OF brick"
what do you mean?"
IF you'll remember. Judy. be had
a slight stroke the day after his re.
turn From then on he began to
grow queer. Everybody in the legal
department noticed what's the
matter?"
Judith stood before him. eyes mar
rowed. body rigid with, emotion.
so that's what they're sayingl"
she began In the low voice. Norman
had come to. recognize an one Of
anger "the -. the cads. Listen, Nor
man Dale. you so to I.ampere and
tell him he's the lowest kind OF .
liar there L.; the kind who win try
TO destroy the reputation ot.a man
who can't defend himself"
judith. will you listen to rea,
som"