The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-04-28
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where in the northwest - She
would be nearer Gary.
She ended her letter by asking
Gran to send a few Of her wedding
presents to Fordney's Gulch -
enough fiat silver TO set table for
y. Coffee and tea services. Half
a-dozen trays Of assorted sizes
"JuSt the necessary, everyday
things, Gran. Nothing formal or
elaborate"
It was a brave letter. She gave
it to Reuben to read. He read it
very slowly. "a couple of maids
garden-a horse-Just the every
day necessities Of a small house"
Again he felt a tender pity for
her.
They left New York in the murk
of a November afternoon. Judith
wore the blue suit she had worn
on her wedding trip Reuben spent
three of his al too scarce dollars
for gardenias. He was very proud
of her as they followed their eX-
persive pigskin bags to the trains
shed.
Tho arrived at Fordney's Gulch
in sleety, windy November dark
ness. They went directly to their
new home riding with then bags
in a dirty jitney. Their house was
one Of a long row of low. boxIike
frame structures behind a fence
made of water piping. There was
a pocket handkerchief of mud.
called by courtesy a lawn.
Inside the house looked smaller
and dingier than it did on the out
side. Dark, stuffy rooms-four of
them. Reuben had to Stoop at the
doorway. Judith could raise an
arm and touch the ceiling. There
was, in each room, an electric bulb
swinging on a cord. There was a
dru1l stove in the front room. A
range in the kitchen-plenty of
wood stacked near it.
Wordlessly Judith looked
around. She hadn't dreamed such
houses were built.
Reuben's eyes said plainly: II
told you SOL"
Too Deep For Tears
TUDITH's eyes were two blurred,
dismayed pools of deep blue.
Gradually. and by supreme effort
she conjured before them a long
strip of lockwood that stretched
and grew until it crowded out the
yelloWish papered walls and COW
cred them with spicy greenness.
Nearly 1000 miles away such
hedge grew-in safety. Remem-
bering, she found courage to say
evenly: Bring the bags, Reuben,
and let's see what's upstairs"
Upstairs were two slope-roofed
rooms, smaller and meaner than
any the servants slept in at home.
A frame cdbby hole jutted out
from the back one in which was
streaked bath tub that had once
been white. The spigots dripped
dismally.
Judith slammed the door upon
it savagely. She hung her silver
fox on one of the hooks that
stretched in ( row across the wall
in place of a closet.
Reuben unstrapped the bags.
"Fm going up to that restaurant
we saw near the station and bring
hack our supper" He refrained
from looking at her.
"Fine!" She hoped her voice
didn't hint OF tears. If she could
keep them back until he went
When the narrow front door
creaked behind him she found her
misery and rebellion too deep for
tears. The stained walls closed in
and smothered her. Dust. Mould.
CobwebS-
All around her were boxes and
packing cases-silver, china, glass,
mahogany, satinwood, Sheffield,
linen. etchings-Gran's idea of
what was absolutely necessary to
a small house.
Dazedly Judith looked at them
tangible proof that she had not
died ard gone to some weird hell.
This was still earth and life as some
people lived il.
Il won't open those things, |
won't. I'll send them back-go
back with them"
The. greer hedge arose wrath
llke-thiS time she didn't have to
conjure it-and closed around her
tighter than iron chains A bar
gain was bargain
When Reuben came back, carry
ing Slat basket filed with warm,
ndurlshing food he found her
washed. brushed, and wearing her
most sensible frock. She helped
hun hay out the things on boxes
ham. baked potatoes. fresh bread,
Slaw, coffee and half dozen ruddy
checked apples.
Il feel better already" Judith
bit into an apple. She thought: "If
loved Alm, I could laugh at this"
She launched ANYHOW
Her cheerful. ess warmed him
like fire and exhilarEted him like
oil wine. He could make more
money-plenty OF it!
Let's open some OF these pack
ing cases" Judith suggested when
they had finished eating. We need
pillows, blankets. sheets"
"Il have 10 borrow a hammer
from our next door ueighbor.
Here's hoping he's a friendly
chap" Reuben opened the door.
Air, raw. damp, ccrid rushed IN
And this" thought Judith pill