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

might have known did know-u
couldn't last. But It does seem
strange to feel as have and then
to know that II. with everything
else. leads only to deeper dark"
Again she breathed deeply: but
the breath did nothing to release
the structure in her breast.
She moved. She had heard no stir
from overhead: listening was be.
coming an ache. She rose and. hest.
family. she made way toward the
door. She crept up the stairs slow.
~. silently.
AZ the top she paused. Through
a doorway she saw Bob throwing
his things on the bed. shirts, under.
wear. ties. the brushes which still
looked strange to Marsha on the
old.fashioned bureau top, near
hers: the Iounging robe that had
contrasted amusingly with the soft
and feminine garments she wore
during resting hours.
After a moment he turned, per.
haps feeling her eyes. Come I'M he
invited, I'VE must talk a little: but
don't let's row II we can help 1t. Per.
haps we can infuse even this situa.
tion with sort OF dignity. keep 1t
from being more sordid than 1t is.
odd you didn't know Godfrey
Tarleton's- younger brother was
married. Everyone talked of It. we
heard It even in our house-had to
land my mother and | don't en-,
courage gossip"
Marsha dropped to the foot OF the
.chaise tongue: I'VE" now meant
Bob and his mother: "We" was now
a duet. not trio. Curious how It
hurt. she unused. For she had real.
ICED that the marriage would end.
from the first.
DOB went on. "Tarleton's brother
- was still in college, under
stand; the girl was at the switch.
board OF some hotel exchange. And
the old people didn't like IT: they
we're rather badly cut up over it. i
was told. Tarleton. the boy scout.
reconciled them. Sorry IL I'm a triffe
bitter at moments. Marsha"
She said nothing. He had spoken
In Jerks as he assembled his ap,
narei: assembled It slowly. some.
what 'stunidly and in a way that re,
vealed the shock which still gripped
him.
"of course you can have a di.
vorce." he stated. "We'll manage 1t.
somehow"
u don't want" she began. Breath
failed her. Il don't want a divorce.
she managed to say. when she saw
he meant to speak.
Ills Il do" was matter.of-fact in
the extreme. fiat and loud. lyon
see" he continued. this has
changed 1t =. the person | thought
you were. was a dream. never
loved a woman who could give her.
self entirely to man In order TO
avenge her sense of wrong. ] never
but there's no need of talking
about this"
lie picked up a leather case. fitted
in 1t some brushes. and then hunted
spot for the caselin his bag.
She looked at him miserably as
he bept above his bed :. lean. tall.
thin. His narrow face now set and
harsh: us bronzed skin looking as
IL 1t were stretched over dead
white plaster.
"I'ye changed" she said.
at looked It," be commented
through set teeth. "as | came in and
saw you In that--that--" be had to
stop. She saw the color heighten
that had been driven to his cheeks
by anger. II receded: he managed
to speak again and calmly. "Saw
you in-Tarleton's arms" be ended.
"Ele lost his head" she said hotly.
n hated 1t. did. Bob. / did! don't
lie!"
"How ahont that evening when
you said you. loved me and that yon
would marry me? You loved me
that evening? Don't ask me 10 be.
lleve that. now. keep remember
ing how | felt. was a beholder OF
miracles when I found myself &C,
cepted by you. the one girl who ever
counted. Do you remember how you
said 4 do carei'?"
She began to sob brokenly. to pro
test. to explain. to entreat. And she
achieved nothing.
She saw him unsteadily through
the rise and fall of tears. He said, 81
hoped we could avoid this" She
turned away and CROPPED along the
hall.
At five he approached to offer hei
help with packing. and she found
his gentleness more trying than bis
condemnation. I'D be glad to help"
he stated, bis eyes fastened on the
wall above her head. II remember
you said you didn't like packing
And I'm not q bad packer"
(cesrisLi. 1884. ~ x. HasiiaaS-Tsylosb
Tomorrow, Bob and Marsha be.
-. AAMs. $3.50 mAd &ArHfNNfnn IfFA