The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-04-20
Chapter IA
Strangers To Each Other

Chapter IL
Strangers To Each Other
THEY were engaged to be mar
i ried they had been engaged an
hour, these two who were almost
strangers. They had much to say
to each other. yet they said only
that which could not remain un-
said. All the dear foolish inco-
herencies, the GREATNESS MUIR
murs. the divinely silly personals
ties. were unuttered If their hour
was less than perfect neither
seemed to notice. They were at
peace sitting on the grass in the
shade of the maple.
From under long lashes, Judith
looked critically at her future hus-
band--st his lean brown hands,
his leaf-brown eyes with mex
haustible wells of strength behind
them. at his firm mouth with its
elusive hint of gentleness - She
wondered why she had ever
thought him amusing?
.le3 HE is WISE" she decided, "but
81 he isguileless too He is being
cheated She SAID with brutal
~ H. frahkhess: Il don't love you-you
know that" ,e4s.r
Way he came back from
- some far country, yes, know it."
ii He, WondeEeI bow he could accept
81 itss0, &c hnly9 80
j" MIL really don't know you,"
half apoiogetically.
Perhaps. when you do"
There is someone else" dog
gedly.
Silence. A hawk few over the
garden. 1t cast a dark shadow.
"Who?"
But he knew before she an
swered that il was Gary Brent. He
reflected that he should not dis
like Gary, since to his idiocy he
would owe his wife. But he did
dislike Gary Intensely he disliked
him. The conceited asst The Ounce!
II guess most girls imagine
themselves IN love with Brent He
has the thing women fall for
small talk and fiattery. You'll get
over II. gruffiy.
I'm afraid | won't. So if you
want 10 change your mind"
"Nonsensel" Did he want to stop
the sun from shining? Did he want
10 shut all beauty from his life?
He started to argue with her to
convince himself - You'll be
much better oil with me. Brent
VIII never amount TO anything
you'll see"
Tibet wouldn't matter, If he
loved me" simply.
r. anyone had told him in the
cd days that he would want to
merry girl who did not love him!
a girl who was openly pining for
someone else Where was his COM
mon se1se? Where was his self
reSnaci?
You're really being foolish,
she persisted You're being poor
bus ness man too taking us on is
gsiae te be frightfully expensive"
Ia turned 10 smile at her whim-
sieal'y. I've always had TO pay
pretty well, IN one way or another,
for everything | ever got" He
l,"o,ge OF tiny sprig OF the box
Is0rd II give out a spicy odor be-
tween his fingers. Life Is like that
nv life There's always been
q r ice.
.e reflected watching him that
so far she had never been called
lnr1 to pay for anything. She
reerhed out and took his hand
lis fingers closed over hers, The
sprlg of box lay warm between
taeir palms a fragrant symbol.
lie wanted 20 tell her that all the
kingdoms of the world would not
be enough TO lavish upon her. but
=, the words stuck in his throat. so
~ besiusteS3t there inarticulate and
happieFathanohe had ever been IN
Ills lfel eaA sf8f De-
= - .1eaa Ruying Her
CHE waiked with him 10 the
- gates Al parting his arms
closed areand her I'm going 10
Nl0va. v0h SO. Judith be so good 10
you give you everything.
He kissed her full upon her red
lins and the power. the eieanness,
the beauty Of his passion touched
her went surging through her.
rot the pure ecstasy OF Gary's
touch. but something that was
neither triumph nor humility. bat
an cdd blending OF both.
Hallway home Reuben dis
missed his car and walked the re-
Essinles mile ana a half across
green fields and through dim
woods
lie was going 10 marry Judith.
She beat in his heart like music
and ran like wild honey In his
veins The fact that he was liter
ally buying her viii a eoxwooc
hedge and sundry considerations
hardly registered upon his con-
sclouSness.
His mind turned 10 ways aad
means n would take ell Of $780,
OO0 h straighten out old Mrs
Gooaloe.s complicated affairs and
Jin's mesh Of debts Then, theY
4 $50 Al 4 rs