The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-05-25
Chapter "A
Just One More Chance

IF JUDITH had been haraSSed
L and uncertain before she wrote
to Reuben, she was swept into an
avalanche of bewilderment now.
Had she acted too hastily? Would
Reuben be disguised by her lack
of restraint? Had she been too
humble? Suppose he didn't an
Swer? Suppose
Then there was Gary to be
reekoned with. Not that she had
any illusions about Gary-the last
one had died, struggling-but 1t
had died. Gary would be furious
because he was not to have his own
way, but grieved?
She couldn't associate great dis
tress or deep grief with Gary un-
less the mishap was physical and
purely personal to Gary; however.
Gary must be reckoned with.
Time dragged like a snail - it
flew on hummingbird's wings.
There were three days left until
Christmas. There were two days.
There was one day. It was Christ
mas Eve-no word from Reuben
no word!
Jim came down the hall, stood
looking at the bravely bedeeked
pine. The prettiest tree we've ever
had. The kids will adore it,
EYES," Judith agreed tonelessly.
Jim shot his sister a quick APP
praising glance; Want to 60 with
80 &C., ~,.re.,,ss, fo149 rTlt,a,g he
indicated the gilt framed Good
Ices, Hmust be decorated. It's fun
ny a man must die before he gets
a wreath of living green" He
turned away. want to conner"
Judith came down the ladder.
wait til get coat"
Outside the world was softly
gray, with sharp little gusts of
wind and soft little fiurries of
snow. A day that seemed to pro-
claim the world was doing its best
to make ready for the blessed
peace that was to descend upon it
at midnight.
Peacel There was none of it IN
Judith's heart. None in Jim's. Say
ing little they walked side by side
across frozen fields; climbed rail
fence and entered q dim, stark
wood. The path ran between hills.
There was little wind here. A dry.
woodsy smell. Dead rustling
leaves
Don't you love it, Jim?"
"The place? Better than any
thing. guess"
She followed him across the lit
tie stream. Thin ice bordered its
edges. On sloping hillside, almost
hidden by dead leaves. creeping
cedar made a bright green carpet.
Adhere was tiny root of Bit
ter-sweet-- And suddenly, she was
back three years. Was in Fordney's
Gulch--the deepest, muddiest part
of it--with Reuben. They were
searching for bitter-sweet. pine
cones, spruce tasSels - anything
that would relieve the drabness of
their first Christmas in the despised
little house in Casper Street. The
afternoon had been warm. sultry.
The ground soft. She had slipped
in the red mud and Reuben had
caught her. held her close.
Eat Humble Pie
IUDITH'S busy fingers frightened
- around the crow's-foot. If just
once more she could hear the
steady beat of Reuben's heart. Feel
his arms--a protecting wall
An unbidden tear trickled down
her nose. Ashamed she brushed it
away. looked up quickly to meet
Jim's worried, dark eyes.
you, too. judy"
She nodded.
For a long moment they busted
themselves with the evergreen;
Jim said: tive made ducks and
/, brakes Of my life.n
tive messed mine up. too, Jim. "
Another silence. Judith said
hesitantly: debt again. JIM"
debt again. bitterly.
"Personal?"
"Not entirely. Gran is involved.
too. My fault" His slim brown
hands became suddenly idle. A
shadow darkened his face. Il can't
figure II out, yet. That stock deal
looked sound as Gibraltar.
They always do.
tive learned my lesson. Judy.
II could only have one more
chance.
"one more chancelr She echoed
II prayerfully. Il guess we miss
heaven by just one chance.
Jim stuffed crow's-foct into the
burlap bag He avoided looking at
his sister He said; Its divers
faultg"
mine"
'Then cat humble pie. old dear.
Make II up"
eve tried. Too late"
Il didn't guess. was afraid may
belt was Gary"
ut was-at first. I had a--a sort
OF obseSsion for years. I'm cured.
She wound handful Of the creep
er into bundle and stuffed II into
the bag. I'm hone to stay. Jim.
You'll have to help me raise the
children"
You think I'm at. Judy7"
Il know you are.
"Goshl Id like 10 teach them 10
avoid my mistakes
Maybe we had to make them,
Jim. Wen not shield the babies as
we were shielded. Wei put re-
RDonxlbilitieS unan them