The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-12-27
Chapter SIS
Re8ensant Lover

W 49, N%-~ o.
nearly week of loneliness, with
out the two people she loved.
After dismantling her own
apartment, there had been Honey's
belongings to attend to. and the
question of the 74th street house
to be considered. She managed to
keep her days full, but Nina knew
that the worst time was still to
come when she would have
moved to small place of her own
somewhere, with Bridget and Mar
garet to do the settling for her;
when the familiar broWnstone
house would have a For Sale"
sign out in front, and there would
be nothing left but to try and go
on.-..
There had been interviews with
real estate men; and the family
lawyer, of course Honey had
left her money to be divided be-
tween Nina and Richard; and there
had been ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
bly, poignant--of going over Hon
Ney,s furuituresmIaT Qahes, by her
self, and with Aunt Carrie and a
few of her mothers most intimate
friends. Nina wanted them each to
take something. There had been
hundreds ofiletters and hOwers to
Y be aackno wle dgedeisIofnf 9 4t a.
Sad idegSgDut busy ones, Nina
dreaded to think ahead - to the
time when all the work would be
done. on
And still there was no word of
any kind from David. Jack Knight
and Oracle, and even Francine,
had all sent fiowers--chipped IN
together-but not he. It seemed so
cruel, so unlike him that Nina
could hardly believe it. How ter
ribly, terribly hurt and angry he
must be, to behave like this +. j.
now.
Button was Nina's constant COM
panion; an affectionate subdued
Button, who followed her faith
fully fronA room to room, from
floor to floor, and pressed close
against her whenever she sat
down.
His brown eyes seemed to ask:
''What is this? What has happened
to our old life?" And Nina told
him that that was what she wanted
to know. Darling Button, she need
ed him, she said, as much as he
needed her. They were insepara-
bic.
One evening, in the living-room
neither Richard nor Nina could
. bear to sit in the library now
Richard told her that he had de-
cided what to do.
I'm sailing, Nina ! :. Saturday"
He patted his breast pocket. Tick
cts N all. =. You won't need me
here after that, will you?"
mo. I'm glad you're getting
away. It's the best thing. I'd like
to, too, after ! move to a place of
my own and, and David and
/ come to some sort of an agree
ment, about-things."
Richard looked very handsome
in his dark suit, and mourning
band and his black tie.
He had been as serious and
thoughtful, and willing to help, as
you could have wanted him to be.
Honey's friends were touched by
his evident sorrow Nina was.
But she knew he was not-broken.
To say that he was playing well
the role of heart broken husband,
would have been unkind, because
Nina knew that it had gone as
deep in him as an thing ever
would. And he was playing the
roll Of repentant lover with her,
because he was as sorry as he
would ever be over anything that
he had done. -.
But Nina also knew that he was
aware of the part he was playing
-. doing his best. He couldn't help
It. And presently all this would
slip from him, and he wot1ld start
. Char1ding a whole new setpf peo-
pie. somewhere the attractive
widower, Richard Challonef.
Didn't you hear about BIS wife
In American So sad, but be never
burdens people with his grief. He
seems determined to carry on
he's really q delightful guest. Why
don't you have him down for the
holidays?
Nina could see 1t all happening
as she watched him, now !. grave
and handsome, really trying TO be-
have decently, 10 have the right
feelings. 80.
You've Made Me Different
you look so very tired, Mn;
l would you let me fix yol
a brandyg"
Thanks. Perhaps do meek
one"
He brought her glass, and the1
sat down opposite her.
Nina-nly cear-naay talk Il
you about something that IA
come to mean very great dea
to me2"
ssOf course. Richard"
Nina was listening. but she wa
thinking ahead TO Saturday. whel
even the queer. half-Strained com
partnership Of her stepfathes
would be gone. When one nor.
room would be closed. and anothe
batch Of trunks packed. and ear
ried out of the house :. when TIA
new. lonely life she must livl
would be one step nearer.
sI--love you, Nina.
She looked az him sharply Lis
tened now, intently amazed