The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-01
Chapter ~
DECISION

CAROL took his hands and pulled
them down into her lap. Listen,
Blake, and look at me. 1t won't make
any difference unless we let it. / told
you l was willing to fight it out be-
side you; that even triangle didn't
have to be too disgraceful. I've
been expecting this from the begin
ming"
The muscles of his face relaxed
slowly, until he smiled. wonderingly.
Lord. what baby you make me
feel! You Of man than I'll
ever be. and why on earth you should
love me like this is beyond me. All |
can do is marvel-and worship you!"
Idiot. You're pretty we'll worth
loving, since you ask me-" Be casual,
she was commanding herself; make
him think 1t isn't important enough
even to talk about. :. She stood up
and held out her hand to him. Lets
get a drink and see If that won't
change the color of the world"
He extracted ice cubes with un.
steady fingers, half drunk with the
knowledge that she was willing to
stand by him. He saw the situation
now as she had tried to paint it:
painful and bitter. perhaps. but
sweetened by a belief in ultimate
success.
He put down his glass and smiled
at her. 81 haven't even asked about
your trip home. How was it?"
almost perfect, considering the
circumstances.
How was Pat?"
"Fine." She flushed. II finally
broke down and told him about you:
! had to talk to somebody"
His face glowed. Ibid he approve?"
Heartily. He says I'm to bring
you to see them as soon as possible.
and that you sound like grand gtT."
"Then maybe I'd better not CO."
"Nuts to you!"
Their lightness was false and
perilous, with throbbing undercur.
rent that might come to the surface
in breath. Because he realized that,
Blake glanced at his watch.
Dinner time. precious. Get your
hat" Before l devour you, he added
in his heart.
But when dinner was over and
they were back again in her living
room the lightness failed them. For
all his discipline Blake felt the old
hunger-more Unsuitable than ever.
and because the waiting seemed end
less now he had no hope to restrain
him. He kissed her holly. and knew
that she understood his hunger. His
hands were caressing her and she
made no move to withdraw.
She made her choice then. clearly
and honestly. This is no way for us
to live. she realized. feeling him
tremble against her. A few months
of this can destroy us. And 1 CAM
go away and leave him alone.
She sat up. Blake. :"
T ONG afterwards. when he had
IL gone. she sat at her dressing
table with her chin In her hands
staring at her own reflection.
She probed her mind for feelinl
of guilt or regret. and failed to find it
Irma was incapable now of dealing
them a mortal wound.
She rose and went to open the win
dows. and stood looking at the blacl
star-dusted sky. Blake would be a
home by now. and perhaps lookin,
at the same sky-unless he had gon
straight to sleep! She tried not t,
think of the time when he would no
have to leave her, and to cling In
stead to all that she had of him now
"a quick. icy wind struck her. Xix
a breath from the world of darkness
and she shivered and turned iron
the window. And then she stoppet
short. Someone was knocking softl
upon her door.
She snapped on a light and hui
ried to the door. and Blake stumble
into the room and stood. swayins
She thought incredulously: he's gon
home and gotten drunk. What
queer thing to do. -.
He spoke finally. shaping cac
word with great care. like a NUT
who has learned to talk.
"lrma-has-killed herself.
The icy wind swept her agaiI
straight from the world of darkness
She put up her hand as If to shiel
her face. while an unfamiliar voiC
whispered:
''No. Blake, no. ="
"She must have done 1t this afte
noon. Long distance has been tryin
to find ME since five o'clock. :" II
rubbed a hand across his eyes as
to blot out a visual horror. and shu
dered once.