The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-04-27
Chapter 20
Centleman's Agreement

Gentleman's Agreement
d EUBEN'S failure was as COM
N plete as the darkness which
follows the blowing out OF q fuse
in a high powered electric light. II
he went whining to Clem-if he
went like a whipped dog with his
tail between his legs - but he
wouldn't go. He'd stay here-pick
ND a chancel
At lunch time with a humility
that sat strangely upon him he
told Judith the worst. "The trip is
off. I've got to stay and fight for my
life" He took the envelope con-
tanning two long strips Of tickets
from his pocket. "Pm turning these
in," purposely he avoided looking
at her "then I'm going doWr. to the
liner. there may be kilograms OF
importance"
'T'lI go with YOU"
Won't it make you feel ter
ribly?"
mo"
all take you everywhere some
day"
She had never been on a big
boat before. She was childishly
delighted with everything she saw
The great wall of the ships
sides. Rushing stewards. Laugh
ing. chatting groups Of people
The cabin that was to have been
theirs was literally lined with
flowers. candy. books. B e ! at e d
wedding presents, that had been
sent directly to the liner.
Hurriedly Judith read cards. Al
last she came to the one she
searched for-"Oodles of love and
good luck from Gary" the card
read II was attached to an Indian
bracelet Of beaten silver and sci
with amethysts - an inexpensive
artistic trifie-"Oodles of love-
Judith slipped the bracelet over
her wrist and held it out fol-
her husbands inspection: From
Garv"-a bit breathlessly.
Reuben glanced at il critically:
"A cheap thing!"
But pretty"
Quite. A duplicate of the one
CissY wore at our wedding"
II thought II had a familiar
look" Judith achieved q lightness
"Readv?" Reuben stuffed a let.
ter in his pocket. Gosh. did vot
ever see so much plunderl"
How will we get 1t all away?'
We'll let il stayl"
Let it stav2 Wedding present,
bon VOYAGE gifts--I want them
every one"
The stuff filled four taxis beside
tho ane they rode in.
The next dav thew moved from
tho elaborate suite TO o room. will
bath The CAV baskets with thei
pert bows. the flowers. the boxes
left little space for Judith ant
Reuben. He had to remove lon
stemmed American Beauties from
the bath tub before he could battle
lie tied his tie before a mirror al
most 1bliterated with blooms.
Fortv-eisht hours in New Yorl
convinced Reuben that he coult
not come back without ready cash
A man with more BACKGROUND
could undoubtedly have STAYED oi
dire poverty but Reuben hal
h1shed meteor like from nowhere
He was doomed Ia be swallowe,
IN bv obscuritv lust as quickly
unless
4 Refuse To StcJp'
LIE had one hope-one candl
4 still unburnt He told Jud'
about il that night.
u can start again - make vol
comfortable. JUDY. it,"
= His squirt Of courage deserteI
him. he Sour6ed tintohvindnI
even tn himself.
"WellP"
He rushed on striving for casu
alness: "If YOU win lend me $780,
00n NJ the money I gave YOU
She was too surprised 70
sDeech The silence was so pro
longed II curdled as cream doe
under sudden summer lightning.
Il won't need II long" He wa
suppliant he should have bee
dominant but II was impossible 4
feel ANYTHING but q worm unde
the scorn Of her ewes.
She said: "All that was left from
the debts ! signed over 70 m,
prpndunofber
you can get Il back"
You're asking me 20 recall
gift?" Another code rearing IL
Serpent-like head between them
What would Gran Think"
What could she think exceu
that I'm in a hole9 Does what Ora
thinks mean more 70 YOU than
nv 'uture-ny very existence"
What Gran thinks Of vo
means exactly nothing What sh
thinks Of me means a lot"
With effort he controlled nj
temper. II he could make her Sc
with his eyes. Judith"
She fastened 10 defend herSel
"The money means little 70 me
for myself. You know that"
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