The Key West citizen., 1940-02-26
Chapter "a
Death

Death
QEHIND her Sue heard Bob
II come in. "Just a minute, For
est" she said. With her hand over
the transmitter she explained
swiftly: 'It's Forest Webb calling
from New York, Bob. He says Pats
is-well, dying. She wants me to
come. What shall l tell him?"
Let me talk to him!" was the
brief answer.
Three minutes later he put the
telephone in its cradle.
I've promised you shall 60,
honey. | hope it's all right. It
seemed only decent somehow,
since she's so set on it.
"But do you think she's rational,
Bob? She can't be-to want me to
come. There's nothing Pats can
have to say to me. If it were Allen
nowl'
Maybe Allen is on his way
there" her husband suggested.
"Shall / find out?"
Sue nodded, and Bob put in the
call.
Evidently he knows nothing of
Pats Illness" he informed her at
last. 81 suppose you'd better fly,
Sue. I'll call Kansas City and find
out when the next plane goes"
She raised darkly unhappy eyes
to his. Somehow ] have a feeling
it's wrong for me to 90. Bob!"
81 expect it's the thought of leav-
ing the children" He smiled at her
reassuringly. Faced with the need
for making plans for her, Bob was
his kindest and most resourceful
self.
Pack what you need. Remember
to keep down the weight of your
bag. I'll have to drive you to Kan
sas City. l suppose. I'll call now
and find out"
Dazedly she put on a dark blue
swiss with white organdy collar
and cuffs. A light silk travelling
coat. a small close-fitting hat, the
expensive dressing bag containing
everything she needed, which had
been Bob's last years birthday
present. a pair of loose soft gloves
her preparations were made by
the time Bob had secured his in
formation.
Robert. listen!" She knelt and
took the little boy in the circle of
her arms. "I'll talk to Selma be-
fore l go. but / want to put Sister
in your care. Promise me-prom-
ise me. my own boy, that you'll
look after her! And, Susan, you're
to do what brothertells you. If you
don't want to. do it anyway. and
then talk to Dad about it when he
comes home. But obey him
promptlyl"
She was in the car beside Bob,
giving him last directions; she was
in Kansas City, being directed to
her seat in the big plane. She was
flying through the night, her mind
at last emptied of all save specu-
lation about Patsy. Pats dyingl Of
an illness, an accident? Had she
wanted Allen? Would Allen go to
her if he knew? Why should Pats
wish so intensely to see a woman
she had never liked? Would For
est have tired of her greediness.
her selfishness in these years he
had been married to her. or would
the infatuation which had held
Allen so long still keep him bound
to her. even though unwillingly?
A phrase of her brothers flashed
through her mind: "the tingling
awareness that gives meaning to
existencel"
How many men had been thus
aware of Patsy? Allen, Forest
even Eric perhaps, temporarily.
Men in New York too. in all likeli-
hood: men unknown to Sue but
whose attraction to his wife had
undoubtedly frayed the edges of
Forests patience as Aliens had
been frayed.
The big ship moved swiftly,
smoothly eastward. Sue thought
Of all the emotions which were be-
ing bound by the fiery ribbon of it's
passage: the stark and hopeless
grief. the wild incredulous Joy. the
dull resignation. the sleek sense
Of righteousness. the rebellion
against tyranny, against law and
order. against, in some case. love
and tenderness. Hearts burned
hotly or slowed to fluttering close
below her, but here all was space
and freedom and an unconscious
dwarfing of human problems.
nvM~aS- G..~S
OATS! Sweetheart H ear is
dearest!"
It was Forests agonized voice.
He knelt at the bedside, Sue stood
close at hand. At the foot of the
bed was nurse.
"Pats, here's Sue! You wanted
to see Sue, beloved! Can't you open
your eyes? Oh, darling, darling!"
Down went his head on the clean
hospital coverlet.
Doctor will be in to give her a
stimulant soon,, Mr.. Webb" the
nurse said, clearing her throat. 81
expect she'll know you then.
But Forest kept on with his at
temptS to rouse his wife. Sue, after
the one shocked glance at the face
on the pillow, had resolutely kept