The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-08-07
Spite MLEIRIRILAlGIE
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I"You thought" he asked, that
Tarleton was married. that night
when-when you accepted me?"
"Yes. Bob. but" her tone was
strident. frantic. But she could
make no inroad on his set, icy calm:
his determination to speak; to dom
mate the scene.
sit was Tsrleton's younger
brother who was married. Marsha"
Bob went on: st was Tarleton's
sister-in-law whom you met that
night. | thought everyone knew OF
the marriage. 1t was talked OF, con-
siderably. a few months age"
"Fve often been pirate" Geoffrey
admitted with wry smile and a
raise OF brows. "but believe me.
Powers. regret hurting you
through this affair. However. now
that we all understand"
"We don't!" Marsha flung out
unsteadily: Eve don't! Bob"
Marsha stepping back to world
OF ruin. the world she had thought
the one world. raised her shoulders.
her dark. arched brows. "You would
not believe me now. under oath,
Bob. presumed" she questioned.
II prefer, If you don't mind, to
discuss that when we're alone," he
answered. But he had made his re-
ply: the set OF his chin. bis bitter
eyes. his stricken face. made further
words unnecessary.
DOB turned then. toward the door
- and for an outdoor man whose
tread was sure. be was pitiably un-
certain OF motion. , s Rg
%Bob!" Marsha appealed. He did
not respond and she realized that.
no matter how physically close they
| could stand. hereafter. he would
ever be beyond her reach. 10
Godfrey was smiling.
mo end sorry" be said. as Bob
disappeared. She covered her face
with her trembling hands. He
moved closer to pat her shoulder.
He felt her shrink. After the di.
vorce." he said with a gentleness
rare for him, you'll look me up?
We won't lose any more time.
won't trust .-ou again for fear you
might think me married to anyone
who happened to be in the same
room. on the same block"
DON'T" she appealed. She
dropped her hands and he was
shocked by the change In her face.
She smiled slowly stiff1y.
"You don't understand" she fat
tered. Il don't know how to make
you understand. But you must be
lieve this. even though yom d.
believe In love. I'm deeply In love
with my husband. There will never
be anyone else for me.
perhaps Ie 3 through with me:
think very probably be is, But
that wouldn't make me seek warmth
elsewhere. couldn't. having known
him. let another man so much as
touch my hand. Will you try to un-
derstand It's over between US? And
will you go?"
Geoffrey's ideas for revenge had
faded. He was hurt, but. too. he was
awed. And be had hurt her. whose
sincerity had put within him new
sort OF love.
God" he said brutally. loudly. Il
am sorry!"
She made no response. He turned
to the door. At the door he paused.
IF you want anything can give
you"
She shook her head violently. He
heard weak. But thank YOU"
He saw her sink to a small stool
by the hearth; he left her crouched
there and staring into the flames.
AS he reached the hall be heard
above him the hard tread OF some
one who must pace room. He was
leaving an inferno. which would
haunt MIN, ne knew.
n he could reach Powers to make
Powers believe that truth that had
grown In Marsha. would that help?
He doubted 1t. A man OF Powers
sort probably could not forgive a
woman who married him in order
to keep from wearing the limp robe
of the Tilted; who married him. too.
in order to tell another man that
she did not mourn his having mar
ried.
"Lord, what a mess." he muir.
INJURED.
There was sleet in the air as he
stepped out. The wind was bitter
and cutting. He looked back at the
small house. ominously silent. And
now what for them?" he asked OF
himself. "And their next move?"
Divorce. he presumed. He had
never before forgotten himself
through others. But Marsha's face
had made him see how 1t was with
her. She had looked old. and agony
was in her eyes. and he had learned
what love may be by looking IL
them. Her pain mattered, not his.
(CobpIRht. 1884, 6y K. RSvtlaad-T Sylos)
Marsha and Bob face. tomorrow,
a shattered world.