The Key West citizen., 1940-02-23

Ism service, SQe Sd1Q. i cOulun
imagine why on earth she insisted
on running over to the drugstore
when she found you were coming.
It was to buy the toothpicks. Help
yourself, Pats, and butter one of
these biscuits. I'll warrant you
never tasted any that were more
deliciouS!"
In June Sue was driven fran
tically into the hospital, and with
less ado than anyone, even DR..
Van Ness had expected, Robert
Allen Trenton was born.
A trim maid admitted Allen.
His sick eyes had not been quite
oblivious to the face that the
TrentonS' Atchison home was
large and comfortable, tangible
evidence of Bob's new prosperity.
The maid was another.
Sue came downstairs on swift
feet.
"Allen! Oh, Allen, dear!" And
then, in a frightened voice: what
is it, Buddy?"
He licked his dry lips. 'Pats has
left me, Sue. May I-may l spend
a few days here with you and
Bob7 I had to get away.
i "Of'course, my dear!" She drew
him down to the couch, took her
place beside him. "How do you
mean, Pats has left you?"a 2fgi
"Just that. She's gone-with
Forest Webb" he. added almost
as an after thought.
Sue was stunned. Forest Webb!
It could not be. True. Pats had of
late quoted Forest more and more
frequently. But Forest was Aliens
closest friend, as his sister was
Sues own. 1t simply could not be
that Pats and Forest!
But it appeared it not only
could be, it was. Allen told her
about it in brief, dry sentences.
Pats had not left a letter-not
Pats! She had called him from
Kansas City, explaining quite gaily
that she and Forest were on their
way to New York. (Allen wondered
| a little at Sues involuntary shiver
as he got this far in his recitai.)
Forest. it appeared. had severed
his connection with his old firm;
had made. new arrangements with
an Eastern one. Pats wanted Al
len to divorce her. ''You can be
decent and call it desertion. or
you can, name Forest as co-respon-
dent; it doesn't matter to me at
ALI" she had concluded f1ippantly.
/ "Buf-but | should think she
would have. wanted it the other
way around; that she would go
7 to Reno"
UnbeIievabIy Changed
A LLEN shook his head. "She
"A knew I'd never consent to
that! Lord, Sue" he continued
with a hint of irritation. don't.
you suppose we've been all over
that ground time after time? She
was always asking for a divorce.
We've hardly had one months
happiness together"
why didn't you give it to her.
Allen?"
A look of stubbornness replaced
his dulled grief.
Il wouldn't-I won't. II there's
to be a legal separation between
us. Pats will have to be the one to
get it. not Il"
Even now?" she asked incredu-
lously.
More than ever now!" Anger
famed in his sunken eyes. Let
Forest Webb see how far he'll get
with Pats hung round his neckt"
His sister was silent. stroking
the hand she held in both her
smooth ones. Allen was Utnbeliev-
ably changedsY she thought He
was bitter. unreasonable, quick to
anger Pats, had done this to himl
She tried to feel anger in her own
mind but relief at the other Wo-
mans going was too great. Allen
NEEDED rest and a change of scene.
Here with her and the children,
he would soon be himself again.
She had his bag taken to her
charming guest room. She sum-
moned sturdy four-year old Rob-
ert and tiny Susan to greet their
uncle; and she presently shut her.
self upstairs in her sitting room to
warn Bob by telephone of the
presence of their visitor.
Fine family. nice house!" AL
len said heavily that evening.
Dinner was over and the two
men were smoking in the library.
The warm March day had ended
in a burst Of cold rain. and Sue was
clad Of the excuse for small fire,
comeback, old mani"
TIM doing pretty WELL" Bob
admitted. Thanks to Sue!" He
sent her an affectionate smile. "If
she hadn't stood by me like a
house afire, I'd have been sunk
years ago." Then remembering
guiltily that Aliens wife had not
stood by him, he attempted to
change the subject "Funny-find-
ing ourselves on this side of the
riverl But since Sue can see il
here even better than she could in
st. Joseph" =
"Yes, that's why I chose this
house" she interrupted brightly.
I'VE get such marvellous view of
it here"
How many Pearson stores do
| you own now. Bob?"
Half own, you mean. Pearson
always retains fifty percent in
terest. you know"
He went at length into the num-
Der and size Of the stores, the ter
| ritory they covered. Allen lis
tened absently. The Trentons
knew he was not hearing a word
Continued tomorrow