The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-02-07
Chapter Is
First Wife

Chapter Is
First Wife
QUT-how long have you and
II Bob been married?" the wo-
man asked Sue. II thought -
heard"
Nearly a year. A year next
month"
"And he actually hasn't told
your" Her eyes began to sparkle
with mirth; mirth and excitement.
"This is simply incredible; like
a play, isn't it? Why, ] thought Of
course you knewl I never
dreamed-well, leave it to Bob
Trenton to do the unexpected"
She took charge of the situation
briskly. Buck up, my dearI
There's really nothing to 60 all
limp and white about. It wasn't
much of marriage, any way you
look at it. ! suppose that's why
Bob didn't bother to mention it.
Still-Im not so terribly fiattered,
you know-that he has forgotten
mel Or perhaps" she prudently
suppressed the alternative. Look
here. What's your name? / can't
go on calling you you; and
simply can't say Mrs. Trenton,
now can II"
"Sue." The word barely escaped
her dry lips.
"Suel C11te LITTLE mama Vo,I,ra
cute, too, in your queer dark way.
Hope you don't mind the person
alitieS." She chuckled suddenly.
"If ever two women had a right to
talk personalities, it's you and /,
1t seems to me-" She laid her hands
on the arms of the chair and
leaned forward. Nov, Sue, don't
look so tragic about this. We've
lots to talk about and | can't be my
own irresistible self with you
budding there as if you'd just had
news of Bob's death.
Tell me-" she asked in bust
nesslike tone, "why do you think
he hasn't told you'about me?"
Again Sue shook her head. She
wished the silvery voice would
stop, she wished the woman who
had done this thing to her would
60. The air of the room seemed to
her polluted though the sweet
May breeze mingled with an elu-
sive scent from the other woman's
garments. Sue put up her hand
and pushed her hair from her fore
head.
"Ache?" inquired the silvery
voice. You're horribly pale.
Oughtn't you to lie down, or some
thing?"
1t was the right note. Pride
cleared Sues brain as if by magic.
She sat up in her chair, even man.
aged bright smile at her caller.
I'm all right. I've been out in
the sun too long, l expect. Over
seeing some garden work. And ]
was - rather surprised at your
neWs-at seeing YOU" She folded
her hands composedly. "Are you
visiting in st. Joseph, Mrs.-ah-
Trenton?"
"Cecily. Let's don't be formal
with each other, my lamb. That
would be too ridiculous. Visiting
here? That depends. I've been in
California all winter. I'm on my
way back East now. There was
some business | wanted to ask Bob
about, so stopped off,"
You knew then where he
was? That he's married."
"Yes, l knew. Not through Bob
though. The old meanie hasn't
condescended to keep me in
formed about himself. / had to
write to his lawyers"
Sue made another effort. How
long-how long ago."
"I'll tell you the whole story"
said the pleased silvery voice. mo
you must listen! You'll see it
isn't so bad-nothing whatever to
be upset about. Why, we were per-
feet infants when we married, Bob
and /. He was just past his twenty
second birthday, / was only nine
teen. Ages and ages ago. you see.
ExtempOraneOus'
A ND-it's no wonder the poor
"A boy didn't bother to tell you!
Our marriage lasted just four
months. Practically no marriage
at all. you see! 1t was a flop from
the first" she went on cheerfully.
"A sort of eXtemporaneous affair,
you might call it. We met at
house party the week after his
graduation. It was a glamorous
sort Of party; my first, too. A full
moon. dances and dinner parties,
and masses of flowers everywhere.
We fixed it up one morning
in the swimming pool. if you'll be-
bob said: Why don't we get
married, Cecily?' And l said it
seemed a sound idea to me. So we
hurried to get dressed, and slipped
away from the others, and drove
TO a town about forty miles away.
You should have heard them all
howl when we came back with
wedding ring, and a certificate,
and everything! They were
thrilled at the elopement, but SIM
ply furious because we hadn't
taken everybody along"
Sues bewilderment had passed.
Her mind was crystal clear, leap
ing ahead of the sweet, drawing
voice. She could see the merry
young guests, hear their shouted
reproaehes and congratulations.