The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-09-23

She said at last: mo. it's no use
Because love you-too.
The words pulled him to his feet
and he crossed to the couch and took
her in his arms. After a second she
lay motiOnless. one arm about his
neck and her mouth against his.
He held her close. and revelled in
the youth and residence of her body.
To love someone like this. he
thought exultantly someone who
was youngi Thirty-three years was
not too long to wait. His mouth
moved. gentle and lingering. over
her mouth and eyes and throat.
She drew away and looked at
him. seeing the physical details of
his face. 1t was incredible now that
his eyes had been like slate. or that
his thin mouth had ever been
straight and hard. His head was
beautifully modelled. she realized.
and the thinness of his face threw
its bones into sharp relief. She sat
up suddenly and pulled his head
down to her breast, and he lay still
and felt the quick strong beating of
her heart.
They recovered finally fragment
of reason. and sat apart and looked
with wonder at each other She said
unsteadily:
BLAKE, that was insane. -"
Fear darkened his eyes for an in
slant. Are you trying to tell me-
you didn't mean it?"
you know better than that. told
you because I couldn't help it. But
what can we do?"
He, said simply: Spend the rest
of our lives together"
She could almost believe. hearing
his words, that it was as simple as
that. A mutual longing that would
achieve a desired end. Almost-but
not quite.
my darling, that's not possible"
81 don't see why not" He sprang
to his feet and began to pace the
floor. driven by the new-found en-
ergy within him. "Unpleasantness
first. yes. Tears and reproaches.
maybe; but heaven knows they
don't matter. If Irma'S life and mine
had been different I'd reproach my
self; but l can't and won't"
CAROL followed him with her
~ eyes. and when she spoke her
voice trembled between laughter
and tears.
Blake. my darling. think. What
has Irma ever done to make yOI
think she can be generous? | don't
know much about her. but I'm afraid
| know that much"
He said holly: "Of course I'm
willing to insist, IL that's the only
way. But l still don't believe it will
be-" He made an impatient gesture
and came to her again.
Don't think about IL tonight;
give me chance to believe this"
He smiled at her, and saw the
light and color in her face that had
been drawn and tired. He felt
passionate longing to cherish and
protect her; to put his own body and
strength between her and the world.
He fell back upon the only concrete
gesture that occurred to him at the
moment.
at must be late" he said gently.
Hungry"
II hadn't thought" She felt a
pang of shame that she had so COM
pletely forgotten Margery and
Harry in the binding light of her
own happiness. Il believe | am"
"Fine. Let's go eat our way
through a big dinner"
The knowledge of being thus
loved and cherished was almost too
much to bear. She laughed brokenly.
I'll have to change clothes. These
are a little the worse for wear"
His eyes were wistful. May
wait or shall go away and come
back?" He confessed with a smile:
I'm afraid to get far from you for
fear I'll wake up"
She ~hesitated only an instant
Then stay. / won't be long," This
is too much to ask of life, she
thought. It's dangerous to be as
happy as this: the gods will be
jealous. -.
She came back I'm a very few
minutes. glowing and immaculate,
with her short dark hair once more
in order.
Your turn next" she said sim.
ply. and smiled. LAS the boy told
the visiting bishop. you may use any
of the towels"
When they were in the car he
turned inquiringly. Where to,
Lady,"
The Merrimac grill?"
His hand closed over hers. What
made you suggest that?"
Idiot" She laughed gently.
Don't you know. or dc you just
want to hear me say it?"
Il want to hear you say It."
"All right. Because the first meal
ever ate with you was at the Merri-
mac"
Copyright, 1885, By Marian SinIsJ
Carol and Blake and love pass
the evening TOGETHER.