The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-04-25
Chapter 18
For Richer Or Poorer

VI ANAGAA1A
II REUBEN, take thee Judith"
10 his voice. was steady ITO be
my wGdded wife"
Ciscy, shut her eyes, She had
come to the end OF. the world
Juditf's eyes were open very
wide. They did not focus on. any
one object. She felt a tremor pass
along Reuben's arm on which her
hand rested.
He's tcking it. terribly serl-
ously," she tried to feel more SOL
emily impressed herself.
She was strangely apathetic.
She made her responses in clear
voice-"L Judith, take thee Ren-
hen for richer or poorer -.
until death"
Until DEATH" That had an omi-
nous soundi With the swiftness or
lightning tearing across a summer
Sky. apathy deserted her. It was
like coming alive in the midst OF
1ne's own funeral-only 1t wasn't
her fiineral---it. was her wedding!
Il couldn't be her wedding. It
couldn't be without Garyl
Bishop. palms, Jin1-tne UNI
verse went swinging round like q.
top. Why was she Vowing her life
away when she wanted to be free?
She must have been crazy to think
she didn't want to waitafor Gary.
.,,nos sxAA tn l0tn l.,
Her rowing eyes sought an open
window--sought escape. Involun-
tarily she took step toward it.
It wasn't toe late.
Beyond the windows-theh hedge.
A faithful sentinel, standing. The
only stable thing in her crafty
spinning world. II steadied her.
Sanity came back. As long as there
were Goodies there must be box
wood
She went on with her responses.
but her hand within Reuben's sud.
denly went cold.
His fingers frightened over it.
And then the bishop was calling
her Mrs. OliVar. Gran was kissing
her. and Jim-Cissy was kissing
Notwithstanding on tiptoe to do
it-and Judith Goodloe was mai
ried until she died.
Between one clock tick and arr
other the role she had set herself
to play had become utterly dis.
tasteful. She wanted TO step out Of
it. Wanted to ring down the cur
tain.
THE photographer from the
Sun-to take your picture, Mrs.
Oliver" Dick Hlout at her elbow
said, Get a grin on, RubeI"
Mechanically Judith slipped her
arm through her husbands. They
stepped before the camera. The
wedding party formed a Semicircle
on. either side Of them.
The curtain could not be rung.
down--not yet
Is was 4 wedding after the Good
loe traditions - another golden
link to be, added to Amanda'sl
chain Of memories. II the link had,
a flaw it was not.visible today.
The bride was toasted in rare
vintage. Later there would be a
supper that was an epicure,s
dream come true. The bridal cake
home baked and iced by Aman-
da's own hands--would be cut
with a sword worn by a Goodloe
during the Revolution, but il was
the Virginia Reel, that browning,
triumph Of every Goodloa we'd
ding that concerned her now.
'On with the dance, on with the
dancel" Regal in black velvet and
pearls Amanda signalled the or
ohestra; herded the guests to the
lawn. Everyone present. young
and old, formed In two long lines.
The bride and groom led off,
Amanda and Dicls. Blout brought
up .thesrear, To the tunes of Dan
Tucker, Fair You Well My Lady.
Turkey in the Straw, they vent up
the centre, dowr the sid h m
SsDin0 your partners. balance
SspiaO that GAL irIth be ioater-
vtee s5tus.V 1sf
Have To Tell Her
HAPPY voices took up the tune.
L L Judith smiled down the long
line. Her white satin feet trod gay
measure-IIer meZZo voice car
ried clear.
Jim swung his sister around
gayly. as Cissy. reckless as a gor-
geous pagan princess, started
down the center with Reuben.
How grand you are. Cissy." he