The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-04-21
Chapter is
Due For A Licking


D EUBEN tried to prove that he
N was :. better man than Gary
in the only way he could-by
showering things upon her. Each
day brought wonderful gifts Tor
Judith. Her favorite of them all.
an Irish mare with foal-
"'The Hunt Cup is as good as
ours next year." Jim rubbed his
hands in anticipation Wont it be
great TO have it under the roof
once more7"
Life stretched pleasant path
for Jims walking these days.
Money-the one thing the Good
loe's lacked, came so easily. so
magically. Just when 1t was
needed, that they accepted It
almost as a matter OF course. and
forgot, as far as possible. its source.
Not that Jim minded remember
ing. He liked Reuben and said
often and openly: you're a lucky
girl. Judy" e G,a
Amanda's opinionawas never ex--
pressed. If between herself and
Reuben there was yelled enmity,
there was also a healthy. mutual
respect Amanda :hawed to mel
low graciousness under the glow.
of prosperity. There was q com
petent staff OF servants atriood1
loe's Choice now Amos walking
proudly in new livery. forgot the
price of Ooolong, forgot. among
other things. the hole in the box
wood hedge and who made it.
society reporters trumpeted
wedding d.tails far and wide.
Judith's smiling face. Judith's
fearless eyes gazed back from
rotogravure sheets. Bridesmaids
and flower girls gazed back. From
a small inset in an inconSpicuous
corner. Reuben gazed back too:
The most important wedding OF
the year the papers said.
Plans went forward. Judith
bought clothes that were every
maiden's dream. She visited Reu-
ben's house. Made suggestions for
this improvement and that. Made
friends with Hugo. Praised rho
dodendrons--
'T'm so glad your home Is here,
Reuben. | wouldn't marry you if
had to leave this valley. couldn't
bear to go away"
Its going to be heavenl" Reu-
ben said and believed 1t. Never
again would he hear the call of
the wild. or feel the urge for adj
venture. FoI purple twilight on
vast expanses of white snow. The
smell of bacon cooking in the open.
A lone VOLTS call The sound of
cracking ice. rushing waters-roar
OF logs sluicing down-Noise.
Shouts Struggle-all that was
behind him just to live here in
this quiet valley with Judith. to
watch her vivid face. to touch
her
The whole world took on new
meaning. He felt strangely in ac-
cord with 1t secrets. Every blade
OF grass. tie leaves on the trees,
the water in the creek, the fieecy
clouds in the sky held out prom
Use of what life could and would be.
June heightened into July. July
slipped into August perfumed
with the ripened harvest II the
reports from his banker and
broker pointed out to Reuben that
he was not as wealthy as he had
been. he reminded himself such
fluctuations were TO be expected.
Before Il came 10 Maryland the
loss of SIS would have sent him
raklng over the Goals of his affairs
like q frenzied wild cat Now.
luIled by the serene valley. bliss
full with the new element In his
life. he lei things drift until the
serpent entered hts pafaufse.
Broken Down Aristocrat,s 4
IT CANE III the torn o. Glen
] Rogers. 4aav S. Z 30 20
elem, tat, fiorid, petspiripg. ar
rived one morning Just IS Reuben
was sitting down to breakfast
eli, RUDE. you son OF a tmkerl
Hope you've got an extra cup OF
coffee in the old potg"
aClenl You old river ratl It's
grand to see youl How are your
aiow should / BET" Glenn d.
vested himself OF coat, collar. tie
and flung all into q nearby chair.
ssI'm hungry as pile driver.
Reuben rang for the colored boy.
Coffee, bacon--How viii you
have your eggs. ClemG
aFour, sunny side up. Glenn
ordered, ''and get move on you.
He looked critically around the
dining room with its heavy oak
beams. 'Cissy says this Is supposed
10 be some dug-out--I dunnoF
douhtfully.
ssSniis me" Reuben said.
ssOld ruins usually prove ex..
pensive. Cheaper TO tear down and
build up new.
Reuben tiu not argue this point.
"How's CiSSyf@
Mad as . March hare. Flying
like an eagle and spending money
faster than horse can trot.