The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-05-12
FERGUSON

right 1oc hlmSelf and the devil
take the hindmost.
The suddennesS with which he
came to this decision quelled his
rage, steadied the dizzying land
slide. The time to act was now.
But first he went to the pool for
a swim. The cold water stimulated
and banished, for the time, his
WEAKNESS. He went to the commu-
nifty hall for breakfast. He ate
good one. BY eight thirty he was
rapping on the door of Gary's
cabin.
ALI admitted him. "Mawning,
Mist" Oliver. Yo'll come after yo'
cah?" .. -. Il
Il came to see Mr., Brent. Am /
too early?" '''-
'sNot at all" Gary, struggling
into coat came into view.g Come
in Oliver. How are your"
Fine" The two men shook
hands. Reuben took the chair Gary
pushed forward. declined cigar
cite. "I'm deeply grateful for your
courtesy to Mrs. Oliver" It cost
AAA14 SOAAACbillA4S W say bIldb.
And Gary knowing it did: "Pd
like to do more-for Judith"
Thanks" Reuben said and adj
ded without preamble: II know
I'm making an unheard of request
for a woodsman but I'd like to
rent that cabin"
Impossible, but you're welcome
to use it until it's wanted"
Il wouldn't consider that" stiff
fly.
"Why not?"
81 don't relish favors," bluntly,
"or being put out over night. If
| can rent it at your own figure"
recklessly.
ut has never been done"
SO I've been told, bat with all
Of them empty and the season so
slack-BdJlike to make my family
comfortable"
I'D like to see them comfort
able" Gary drummed on the arm
of the chair.
"Well?"
There's an unwritten law about
cabins-but can always put up
a friend"
Hot color crept up under Reu-
ben's tan. Need / remind you
that you're my boss?"
Cant / be your friend too?"
IT'S possible, but as | said be-
fore, obligations are unpleasant"
Reuben stood up. 'sNine times out
OF ten they lead to complications"
War To The Knife
IT was Gary's turn to flush. He
l said: "Sit down, mani" He
thought: ITS my one chance to
..eep Judith here" Suddenly keep
ing Jrdith where he could see her
every day was the only important
thing in life. He said: How long
do you want the shack?"
Until get better job or"
with slight smile, until you dis
charge me"
Gary longed to do just that
right this minute-but that meant
Judith would go away too. He
said: "If the season picks up
there'l be the devil to pay If we
can't house the buyers when they
come"
''You just said that isn't likely"
at isn't, with building at a
standstill."
Their eyes met, held. Each knew
it was war to the knife.
Reuben thought: II used to
think was the better mani still
think So"
Gary thought: '1'll show this
bounder up to Judith. Let him get
into debt, then fire him. Serve him
right" He said: you win, divert
The cabin is yours"
Fine! Now about the rent?"
Fifty dollars a MONTH" T. was
an unfair price.
1t was $25 more than Reuben
could afford to pay with the rent
of the Casper Street house still
going on. IF you'll give me the
key?"
Gary got it. "Pll send Alf over
to help you move"
please don't. There's only a bag
or two. I'll take Judith'S Rolls
back though. She bought it for
$50"
Some bargainl" Gary followed
his visitor out of doors and watch
ed him get into the detected car.
Reuben's world was stationary
once more. The key in his pocket
steadied 1t. Then last nights quar-
rel came wildly back and set il
rocking again. Suppose Judith re-
fused to move to the cabin? What
would he say to her? What would
she say ao-i1tn?
Judith was contemplating the
outdoor grill in some bewilder-
ment when Reuben arrived. She
looked fresh as the morning in
white linen, maize ribbon band
ing her hair. She heard the clatter
of the car and turned expecting
to see Gary.
Good morning" Reuben achiev-
ed 9 casualneSS he did not feel.
Good morning, Judith's voice
was almost an1iable. She reminded
herself that after last night she
should be indignant. unapproach-
able. but stirring among the ashes
Of her anger she could not even
start the ghost of a flame. Just
indifference. She thought: @He
can't hurt me. He doesn't matter.
III see Gary today" She said:
DO you know anything about this
grilI2"
I'VE won't need f." He drew
the key from his pocket and held
II out TO her. To the. cabin you
50 regretted 70 leave"
fCsfYrssst ipis, Sszssss S~isl eerssas.l
TemerTow: The landslide continues.