The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-09-26
THE WORID-&.~VT
WITH A FENCEH8H
ARear Novel By Mariss Sims

inns
I When they had left the pavement
for the dirt road she threw back her
head.
Gosh, this is good! Why do any
of us struggle along in cities?"
Because some of us want one
thing and some of us want another"
"And some poor idiOts-like me
want it all. The ease and leisure of a
little town. and the breadth and va
riety of a city"
Sure" Pat said comfortably. And
the thing to do is to decide which one
you want worst, and then quit look.
ing over your shoulder at the other
one"
She wrinkled her nose at him.
You're so bloomin' sane-for an
esthete How do you get that way?'
He scowled. Smile when you call
me that. durn you! dunno; | guess
I'm just lazy. It's a swell substitute
for sanity; fools the smart guys
every time"
She breathed the cold air deeply.
and let her eyes sweep the quiet
fields about them. The fields were
sleeping now-golden brown with
sedge and weeds and dead corn stalks
and the soil beneath their feet was
red, and crusty from frost. The Old
Red Hills of Georgia. she thought
with a swift nostalgia ache: | can't
imagine living anywhere else in the
world.
Pat said lightly: "Of course this
walking business was a gag. l want
to hear about you and how you're
making out"
CHE knew at once that she was go
~ ing to tell him about Blake.
That the thought of Blake had been
in her mind like an orchestral ac-
compartment to everything she had
done and said and heard in Mere
dith. And that she wanted desperate
ly to talk about him. and to hear his
name spoken aloud. She said slowly:
well, right now I'm like-a pris-
oner at the bar. waiting for YER
dict"
He looked sharply at her and then
straight head. What do you
mean?"
She told him, in a quiet. controlled
voice. about Blake, and Irma. and
Blake's mission. Pat listened in COM
plete silence until she was done. then
he said:
"He sounds like a pretty grand
guy"
Hes all of that. I'm living for
the day when you and he can know
each other"
This wife of his. What's she go
ing to do?"
What was she? Carol wondered.
Her worst. whatever Blake might
hope for. She said slowly:
God knows. Blake thinks she'll
be decent. but that's because he's a
man. and decent himself. He's got
no idea what devils women can be-
even when he's lived with one for
years. I've never seen Irma. but I've
diagnosed her as an-egomaniac. if
there's such a word"
"And if she refuses to play ball?"
Pat asked quietly.
| "Again-God knows. | said I'd
go all the way with him."
Good for you" He had drawn her
arm through his. as if to interpose
his own strength between her and
Irma's uncompromising hate. Just
remember this" he went on steadily.
that people have genius for forget
ting things like that. You may have
a few weeks of hell before you bring
her around. but when it's over the
pack will forget all about you and
start tearing the flesh off new vic
tim. Hang on to that"
"I'll try. Because of course you're
right. l can stand the hell so long
as it doesn't ruin-what Blake and
feel for each other"
at won't unless you let it. That's
up to you and him. Will you bring
him up here as soon as you can
no matter which way it's going to
be? I'll have the ground all broken
and the family in line when you say
the word"
You darling! I'll do it as soon as
can. He wanted to come this time.
but thought we'd better wait"
He turned and looked closely at
her This what you've been looking
for kid?"
Her color and her voice deepened.
This is what l never expected TO
f1nd-anywhere. Even if this were
all. I'd still feel better about living
and dying"
His arm pressed her against his
side. That's the way to talk. envy
you like the devil"
She was suddenly ashamed of her
own absorption. pat, you're worse
/ that I've been. Sooner or later you've
got to get out and find a life for
yourself" She smiled family. Lord,
what a lover you'd bel"
/ He laughed shortly. Don't fool
yourself. The girl would be entirely
out of Understanding that / ever
found her."
| copyright, 1886, By MdriGn SimsJ