The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-05-16
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Observation-Disclosures Observation-Disclosures

eOS = - q . . . . 90
/ bag and emerald velvet wrap with
its chinchilla collar, Cissy trailed
from the room on tall gold heels,
leaving a Whit OF gray smoke in
her wake.
Judith stood for a moment gaz-
ing after her.
"Why do ! let her disturb me?
Why?" But as on the evening of
her first visit to Goodloe's Choice,
CiSsy had rocked Judith's world
to its very foundation.
Immediately Reuben ceased to
be dim shadow in the background
of his wife's life. He became very
real--loomed very large. In fash
she realized that Reuben was the
foundation of her present world
not the make believe world of
laughter and whispered tender
ness, but the real world that held
the babies, spinach, carrots. clean
laundry-without Reuben
She dressed for the dance with
utmost care in her one really fine
remaining dress, a burnt orange
chiffon alluring as sin. Fragile as
a butterfiy's wings.
SILLY to wear it through these
woods" Judith told herself, SEN
sibly, but she did not take it off.
Instead she smiled at her ref1ec-
ton in the mirror with satisfac-
ton. She was pretty again.
II won't be frightened" she
went out on the porch to Join CisSy.
Reuben will be late" she said
easily, as though there had been
no, scene between them, He al
ways is"
It wouldn't surprise me If he
doesn't get here at ALL" Cissy re-
piled withthe too cheerful air of
a lw0pan who is trying to prepare
herself for disappointment.
And then, almost as though her
longing had brought him, Reuben's
tall figure rounded the corner of
the cabin.
Hail fair maidsl" He took the
porch steps at bound. Smiling at
his wife and her guest with mock
seriousness he said: Your love-
illness dazzles me"
HE didn't kiss her." Cissy noted
with satisfaction. "a new deal is
imminent - hope I'll hold q
trump or two"
The Queen Is Dead
THAT night brought startled
4 realization to Judith that the
breach between herself and Reu-
ben had deepened and widened
gradually. insidiously until each
stood on opposite sides Of SPAN
less chasm across which only the
faintest echoes of their real selves
were audible. II Reuben had be-
come a shadow to her, she was
only the most vaporish ghost to
Reuben--a ghost to be tolerated
and treated politely.
Being a ghost had its good
points. One could stand on the
side lines and view life impartial
~ and unobserved. She saw Reu-
ben more clearly from this dis
lance than she ever had In the
hectic, crowded days at Fordney's
Gulch. The shadow was gaining
substance. It gained vastly as she
watched her husband dancing
with Cissy.
Judith's partner, a German pro-
lessor, followed her gaze: "They
dance well together"
II was noticing that"
He laughed. They have plenty
Of practice"
So! People were talking
Judith tried not TO watch Reu-
ben. conscious in every part of her
of the new indefinable quality
about him. He looked like man
who mas awakened after a long
sleep to more abundant strength,
power, happiness. He mingled
with the dancers but was plainly
not Of them, He wore detached
look, a soaring look
"The eagle" Cissy had called
him that night at Goodies
Choice. Had accused Judith of
claiming him. well, he has cast
away his chains tonight"
Cissy was besieged with part
'nerS. Here was a new experience
fef .Juafth. She was not the UNI
dispUted belle. the queen of Camp
number 2 tonight. She had been
dethroned ruthlessly and quite as
a matter of act. A brighter star
lad appeared on the horizon.
|CiSsy Rogers was old Clem's sole
sheifess. II that were not enough 70
make any girl a sensation old
Clem's daughter had beauty. She
had charm. She lad old Clem's
ready friendlineSs.
Judith acknowledged the end Of
her reign. THE Queen Is dead
long live the Queeni" Her lips
quirked whimsically and then she
saw Gary--blond. splendid. maxi
ing his way towards her.
Who said the queen was dead?
Without the loss of single step
Gary took her from the professor.
He said: Il thought I'd never get
here
She said: 4 Thought you'd never
come.
sThe buyers arrived today like
a swarm Of locusts.s
$50 Cissy said.
''Cissy heres" indifferently.
Visiting me over the week end.
Come Up tomorrow and help TO en-
terrain her"
oliver is expert at that. III en-
terrain you"
Cissy and Reuben againl Not
that IL mattered. Nothing matsered
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