The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-05-26
Cnapter 49
OIIdPttI 10
Cross Country Run

EARY looked at Judith-vivid,
NJ vital, utterly desirable, from
angry, skeptical eyes. He loved her
but he did not love her enough
to humble himself and confess the
truth about the timber, or his
hatred of Reuben, from whom he
had not been able to lure Cissy
and her millions; against whom he
could not hold Judith-perhaps if
he had loved her enough 81
He said with a fine showing of
his old nonchalance: Blamed if
can figure out the secret OF
divers fascination.
Useless to try to tell him. She
said helplessly. I'm sorry. Don't
let's talk of it any more, Gary.
.Of course, we'll talk of it,
furiously, 'Do you think you can
make laughing stock of me?"
"You don't really care-much. "
'T'll not die of a broken heart if
that's what you mean, but / care,
Judith. I've proved it. I've been
reasonable, generous, even about
the children.
"Generous?"
MANY men would insist that
you leave them here at Goodloe's
Choice or ship them back to Oliver
but I'm willing to take them. I'm
giving you every chance"
Thanks, Gary, but don't want
it-now or ever" And before he
could think of hurtful thing to
say-he wanted to hurt her badly
she had turned from him and
was walking rapidly towards the
house. She met Jim and Dick
making their way leisurely to the
paddock.
.sI'll overtake you," Judith
called to Jim. If Reuben had not
preached the Curtis Camp until to-
day maybe she could still get her
letter back. She could never hold
up her head again If Cissy found
out about it. Even if Reuben had
received it she could tell him it
was written under stress, that she
didn't mean one word of it!
She put in a long distance call
for the Curtis Camp then sat
down by NE telephone-waiting.
She couldn't take her eyes from
it. If Reuben answered--if she
heard his voice
Ten minutes passed. Twenty. A
life time. The Christmas angel
hanging from the chandelier turn
ed into grinning, moeking demon
--"Peacel Peacel" There was no
peace-anywhere. The scent of
pine and cedar sickened her. All
this stuff would fill the house for
a week-intolerablel The tele-
phone tinkled. Like one hyp-
Noticed Judith picked up the re-
ceiver.
1.-The Curtis line is busy" OPP
orator informed her. They've
been connected with New York
nearly all morning Big business
doesn't stop even for Christmas.
grumblingly.
Judith murmured something.
''I'll Try to call you ir an hour"
An hourl She couldn't sit still
another second. On knees that
trembled Judith went outdoors.
mounted Winona.
In the lower meadow she came
upon Paddy O'Hare, lathered and
excited, takins his jumps with
Dick astride him.
I'VE got real jumper at last,
Judyi' Jim riding Biddy greeted
his Sister ioyfully
Il knew he'd be good" she was
remembering the morning Paddy
was born--her wedding day.
Jim laughed. "You don't know
how good. He is the next Maryland
Hunt Cup Winner. Ready for a
little run across country2
Ready
"Ben," Jim called to the watch
ing colored boy. eThe two young
hounds need exercise. Turn them
loose and follow along
sYou won't pick up scent to-
day." Judith said. ''the wind is
from the South"
"And the going bad" Dick said.
"And we're all due at the Hunt
for egg-nog or tea at four-thirty. :"
But he followed Jim's head hap
PLY. Prodding Winona on. Judith
envied Jim his mount He and
Biddy shared the same trait
recklessness.
Cunshot
DIDDY was unusually irritable
~ today. The thin, crusty patches
efsnow and ice hurt her.
VII - ~, "A fnsyxssenf4 tka fa,e He
doubled and redoubled When he
had his purSuers thoroughly be-
fuddled he made off 10 his lair.
The chase was over almost before
Il was well begun
You'll be IN time for your tea,
old maid" Jim leased Dick, Il
wonder Il it's tea or gossip that
both" Mr., Blou. confessed
easily.
Three abreast they rode towards
the highway.
''I'm going home Judith said
as they came out on the road.
Better change your mind and
come along" Jim tried 10 light a
cigarette. The wind extinguished
the match. He struck another and
letting the bride fall TO Biddy'S
shining neck. cupped the flame
with both hands.
In the fash of a second the thing
happened. Down the highway
Biddy pounded. bride dangling
Jim. caught unawareS. firmed
his seat and let Biddy run. Jim
reached to recover the bride.