The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-03-28

| a ND that afternoon her gang
"A broke a rare Ming vase, a Cos.
grave heirloom, handed down for
generations. The value of things
in the old mansion had penetrated
| Lovely'S aWareness. She had a
natural liking for beautiful things.
| She stood for moment, suddenly
white faced, looking at the broken
pieces.
'Louts! Scum! On your way!
Get out! Get out of here before l
throw you out. everyone of you!
And don't come back again!
Ever"
Mari turned from Joe, who had
been responsible for tipping the
small table on which the vase
stood
Shut up!" she said. you can't
order me, you Tenth Avenue
termagent! l knew this house long
before you ever muscled your
way into it! It's people don't go to
pieces over the breaking of vase
or two! You're giving your origin
away noW!"
ut wouldn't be broken if you
hadn't been keeping Joe tight for
days" Lovely screamed. "He was
decent until he knew you!"
Decent" Mari famed. "You
gutter rat, what do you know
about decency! YOU"
Joe. standing beside her. livid.
turned swiftly and struck her
across the mouth.
"She knows more about de-
cency than you'll ever know" he
said fiercely, suddenly sobered.
You're not fit to speak to her.
You're not fit to be under the
same roof with her. Neither am
T."
He started toward the door.
you wait for me-" Mari said
fiercely. reaching out toward him.
But Joe brushed her aside rough
| ly and pushed on.
Joe! Joe! Oh, joe" Lovely
cried, alarm suddenly coming to
life within her.
But Joe rushed on, humping
into Roger standing in the hall
listening to his wife's voice. Roger
was bringing Marcia home from a
community meeting.
where are you going, Joe?"
Roger asked.
Anywhere away from here!"
his words foated back.
whats happened?" Marcia
asked.
And then they saw. They stood
in the door and looked at the
wreckage Of the vase on the floor,
at Lovely's angry, startled face. at
Mari's livid one.
Lovely what does this mean?"
Rogers voice was stern, more
stern than it had ever been in
speaking to her. He knew Mar
cia's feeling for the Ming. It was
not replaceable. "You and your
hoodlums-"
Lovely's face lifted to him. her
eyes widened and darkened. It
was Marcia's voice. however, that
interrupted him. light and smooth
as a rose petal. Her hand touching
his arm rested there easily:
"Roger please" Marcia said.
AFTER all it's only a vase. Yes,
treasured it. but life is full of so
many more important things than
Ming vases"
Rogers face was threatening as
a thunder cloud. Mari glanced at
him and then gathered her things
and walked toward the door.
wordless. The others of the group
followed in embarrassed silence.
KemOrse
IT was Lovely's voice that broke
the tense stiffness as the three
found themselves alone. She
lung herself impulsively into
Marcia's arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm cory! I'll
never forgive myself! How you
must hate me-"
But forgive you. Lovely"
Marcia said gently II forgive you.
dear Come. pull yourself to-
Gcther Go up and wash the tears
away. I'll have this cleared up"
Roger, following Lovely up
stairs little later. found her in
tears.
ooh, ROGER. I've been horrible!
Horrible! How you must hate me.
I'll do anything YOU say Roger.
/ y ! can only make up for this.
/ Wen 60 up to Granny Hale's This
! minute if you want Anything.
love YOU so. and I don't want you
to hate me-"
"Wjll you honey bee? Will you?
The Ming vase was well broken
( then Oh. darling! Darling"
They were close again. with a
closeness that was Of the spirit as
well as Of the body. Roger felt
the warm glow of contentment
/ about Lovely as he hadn't for
weeks She was back in his arms
again. in his heart with all OF her
vital Young beauty. She was his.
Lovely packed with a high
heart
oh, darling" as she folded
filmy underthings into a case,
I've got so much. so MANY beau
tiful things More than I'd ever
dreamed I'd have. And you've
given il all 10 me You've made
my life beautiful and | owe you
much. I'll never be able 10 repay
YOU"
She was glanorous and gentle
I and affectlonate. She was every
thing he could ask
I'm 50 sorry" Marcia said
: when they broke the news TO her
that evening y had hoped you'd
stav With US"
Or. IA like TO-" Lovely replied
:ouickly bu, Rogers answer came
FIRMLY;
We'd like our own home for a
while anyhow. Marcia Maybe