The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-08-07

said thoughtfully. "But, after all.
I'm in the realty business I'D to
my neck. I've been in il since my
high-school days when old Pro-
lessor Smithson told me he'd pay
me a commission If I'd rent those
five old shacks down by the rail-
road; you remember, Marie, the
houses his aunt left him over
where we kids used to play"
@Yes," said Marie without In
terest. Il remember. But don't
grow reminiscent on me just now,
Henry. We've got the present to
consider, and the future. Let's not
talk about the past"
"All right. But what I mean is
that I'm tied up with renting
apartments and selling lots. OF
course ] like working on my
verses, and get as excited as 9
kid when / think of having you
sing them for me, and vet"
of course you get excitedl"
Marie cut in. who wouldn't? RAJ
dos an exciting business. And
look at your business, the realty
businessl It's dull and tiresome.
and ] don't see any future in il.
You'll just 60 on renting apart.
ments and selling lots. year in and
year out, until you're an old man,
all tired out"
"Gosh, you certainly do paint
sad pictured" Henry said.
ut is sad" said Marie, "watch.
ing a man Of promise stagnate in q
realty Office"
What would you have me do.
throw up my job?"
Certainly not. But you can
keep right after Rector and Ever
EFT. The job they have in mind for
you or someone else Is Just the
sort you should have. Program
planning, you know - selecting
talent, planning the songs and the
sketches
But I've never had any expert
ence along such lines" Henry
said. * IN
aOt, yes, you havei" Marie con-
tradicted. Down home, working
with our local entertainments, di-
recting our plays, playing my ac-
compartments. All that has helped
to establish background for
YOU" She smiled into Henry's
eyes. Besides, / know the right
people. And I've gotten a good
idea about radio work in general.
may stand up in front of a mike
and sing, but I've kept my eyes
and ears open. MARKELL help you
with all she's got"
Taffy For Henry
THAT'S darned sweet and gen.
Il erous of you, Marie. appre-
ciate it, too. But there's a heck of
a lot of competition around here,
you know. I mean there must be
hundreds of men who are far
more capable of holding down the
sort of job you mention"
''What of it? There were hun
dreds of singers with far more
experience and training than !
had, but did that prevent me from
coming UP here and having q
! try?"
f'No. But you had a definite
something to offer-your singing"
We'll. you've got something
definite to offer. too" said Marie.
Then: There's just one thing
that's worrying me, that's Alma
Lathan1's attachment for Malcolm
Rector"
why should that worry your"
"The job I've been telling you
about is one Alma might be able
to fill, and ! think she's after it.
And with the hold she has on NAL
colm--he's in love with her, or !
don't know the symptoms - she
may persuade him to forget ev-
eryone else. and give the job to
her. Marie paused, gave Henry
searching look. "But you can still
put up fight, can't your"
Certainly ! can" said Henry.
THAT is, ii finally decide to give
up the realty business"
"Don't tell me there are any
doubts in your mind!"
.As a matter of fact, there are"
said Henry. "A married man can't
afford to gamble on his future. If
I'd come here alone--I mean be-
fore Luella and I were married
and found matters as they are, I'd
have taken a chance. But it's diff
ferent once a man marries."
He lesitated a moment, took a
drink, remembering Luella and
the strained something that had
sprung up between them since the
Rector party. and which had
grown and grown, like a wall that
was slowly but surely being built
to keep them apart. =
"And take Luella," he went on.
She feels very strongly about my
giving so much time to the songs:
not that she says very much, but
/ sense it in the way she looks at
me at times, and in the things she
doesn't say"
"Oh, all married women are
like that!" Marie said airily. "Lu-
elias probably a little jealous Of
the way you've gone ahead in
New York, while she's Jagged be-
hind. But once you've gotten into
radio, and are making name for
yourself. to say nothing of a big
salary, she'll feel differently. You
owe something to yourself, any
way, Henry my dear"
Her hand was on Henry's now,
patting it gently. "You're man,
and man has a right to make his
way in the world. Don't be hem
pecked husband. Henry, one of
those detestable men who let their
wives influence them by using Q
lot of feminine tears and tan
trums. Men like that never get
anywhere"
apm not that sort Of man, Ma
RE Henry said, annoyed. Sand
I never shall bel"
@Very true. my lamb Marie
smiled. "But don't let Lue1la's