The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-08-09
Chapter 80


Goodby 70 Sea Tide
JOHNNY ran a nervous hand
- over his sleek hair. "Oh, we'll
make out all right, Rose and me.
/ guess we're two of a kind, and
she'll be a big help to me when /
get my own band and my own
club. if / ever do. But what Wor-
RES me is she don't get alimony
any more and she don't make an
awful lot at the Club and already
she's steWing around about
clothes. Honest. Jan. I'm afraid
I'll never make enough money to
keep her satisfied"
Then why did she marry your"
Jan demanded with aspeFity, an
noyed and embarrassed at John
ny's condolences.
His answer was blunt enough.
I'VE were both little tight. Oh"
he added hastily. seeing the shock
IN her eyes. I'VE were far from
drunk. but. we wouldn't have
done it. at least not then, il we
hadn't had several cocktails"
IF that is true" Jan said angri-
~ you're pretty much of cad
to admit it to anybody"
There you go again with your
Victorian. or whatever you call it,
line" he accused. "Oh, I'm crazy
about her. all right. but / know
darned well she'll never stick by
me-"
You might be wrong. Any
how, you're speaking of your wife
and don't like your attitude"
A stubborn, defiant expression
wiped the usual bland look from
his face. Jan, you must be either
blind or stupid What Pm trying
to tell you is the whole thing is
mistake. ! thought | wanted So
phistication and I've found out |
don't Ali the time / really want
ed someone sweet and whole
some and good like you. I'm still
IN love with you, Jan. This is just
lnfatuation. VIII you give me a
chance? Pll divorce Rose and start
over again"
Not with me, you WON'T" she
snapped. You're completely des-
plcable, ] my. Don't bother
coming here again" She turned
and ran to the kitchen, enor-
mously relieved when he did not
follow. Yet upset as she was. she
would have been much more so
if she lad listened In on the con-
versation between Rose and
Lance Upstairs.
$50 that's how it happened,
Rose finished. duplicating her hus-
bands story. but with more
finesSe, to Lance. She sat on the
arm of his chair. a forlorn siren
turned out in blue dannel slack
suit with a gay silk scarf tied
over her black hair. Her gorgeous
hazel eyes brooded with resent
ment. She ragged inwardly be-
cause all of her well-laid plans
had miSired. The fact of her mar
riage TO Johnny effectively cut
her of from opportunity. Too. she
had been irked and piqued by
Lance's calm acceptance of her
marriage. She wanted admiration
and consolation Her vanity de-
manded it. So. thoughtlessly. self
ishly. she again sought to awaken
a fame of desire in Lance.
I'm just sick about the whole
mess. Lance. and don't know
quite where to turn or what to do.
/ thought you might advise me-"
Hoping And PRAYING
LIE SAID heavily. resenting the
l. 4 fact that she could still move
him. sway his emotions There
isn't anything | could say to you
now. Rose. Pm leaving for New
York tomorrow for a consultation
with Doctor Murray. If he can do
anything about these legs of mine
I'll be flying again. and If ay
again III have plenty of money
If he can't do anything. we'll"
Then I'll be hoping and pray
ing for YOU" she whispered. put
ting her soft, powdered cheek
against his. Il cared for you so
much. Lance. but I couldn't see
any way out for either of US
And Jan Insisted | upset you. She
thought ! should stay away from
you. That's why | changed. why
| tried to make you believe was
hard and greedy and grasping.
I'm not-really want what most
women want and what I've never
had a chance to have: husband
/ love. home and children. John
ny is just a boy who's in love
with his music and himself. It
won't work out, Lance. it can't!"
He felt his defenSes crumbling.
She was lovely. exotic, exciting.
The perfume from her hair intoxi-
Gated him; the nearness of her
slim self melted him to dream of
a future wherein he would again
master space and have a beauti-
full woman for his wife.
He lifted his thin face and
kissed her lips hungrily. Il love
you" he said in a low. tortured
voice. Il thought I'd recovered
from you, but haven't"
Neither of them heard the door
open then close again, bat Norma
had seen and heard enough to
hurry her to her room white faced
and stricken l