The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-01-17
Chapter Is
April Shower

Chapter Is
April Shower
MEDIA saw Bill Langdon only
" at a distance, now. It was OBJ
vious that he'd made his last ges-
ture, so far as she was concerned.
One picture Of him never left her
mind-his tall, straight figure
drawn up proudly, his face pale
and angry above the hothouse
roses.
She missed him in way. Missed
elashing with him. Missed his adj
vice about her farming problems.
Reck tried to help her. but some
how it was different from Bits
help.
Reck called several times a
week Sometimes he would take
Media to either Santa Cruz or
Monterey for swimming and
dinner. But his attentions went no
further than companionable and
affectionate gayety.
fsth s She decided he was afraid 70
Nj ask her to marry him because Of
his mother Naturally she felt a
bot resentment. But when he
came, smiling and hantering. she
A&kA = ~ ~
.esess By this time she'd discovered be
was many persons IN one. There
was the Reck who swept her Of
her feet with his dashing charm.
There was the Reck who had q
tendency to drive fast and drink
fine liquor. Then there was the
Reek who seemed completely un-
der the domination Of his mother.
In late February spring Verdure
began TO appear on the hills and
in the valley. Hardly 6 day passed
that Media didn't 60 70 look az the
lettuce. The rumors Of an impend-
ing strike among the packers
meant little % her, for she knew
nothing of the intricacies of trim
ming. icing and packing tht let
tuee necessary for shipping it TO
far points She only knew that a
great quantity Of the green vege-
table was consumed daily
throughout the nation. Her only
concern was to sell her crop some
where.
Jac.s came home for Eastsr. A
glum unhappy Jack. Media sensed
a different quality to his discon-
tent from that Of few months
ago. Then il had been worry over
&&s0At~I EAt0& 81 ~ n|%A tAA&A4 81 ~
iege Now he was utterly tired Of
the medical course.
@How can | stand four more
years Of it?' he demanded pas
sionately.
But II viii be 50 worthwhile
when you've finished. she pointed
out soothingly.
stop it. Sis. I'm not like you
Meaning what?r
you're the kind that clings 70
hope until it crumbles IN your
hands"
Better be like that thar to lie
down on the job
Think Of the years I've got TO
give before ! get anywhere. he
complained. And where could I
build up practice?"
There's always place for
doctor"
"Of all the ghastly mistakes
this family ever made. sending me
to med school takes the leather
medal" he rekorted morosely.
Think OF the good you can do
for humanity, Buddy" Her gaze
rested upon his hands. They were
the sensitive hands Of born sur
geon.
she ceased trying TO reason
with him Il was useless In his
present state Of mind She could
only hope that he would come out
OF Z as he bad when detection
struck him in the past
Sta made the situation worse
BY visit that afternoon.
I've got 20 hire someone %
spray my orchard" Re told Media
in Jacks presence.
1es7" She knew he was going
C ask for money and she doubted
II he'd ever pay IL back He'd
never repaid loans he'd made
from their father. II wasn't that
he was dishonest He was Just
careless
ACould you let me have the
money. Sis2 know You'll have 10
draw on Jacks fund, but
mo. I fion'tfr she INTERRUPTED
swiftly. She would have 60 draw
on the fund. but she didn't want
Jack to know i for fear Il would
increase his discomfort 7 can
easily let you have the money.
stan she lacked on with light
ness that was IN no way reelected
in her heart. She hadn't yet paid
the men she'd eI ,loyed 70 weed
the lettuce. Shed have @ ser a
piece OF the old furniture to make
both ends meet
She knew 10 mental peace dur
ms Jacks stay. She followed him
around. striving % be happy and
gay. but 60 no avail He was still