The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-08-14
Chapter 10
The Brink
n THOUGHT i Wound be Gun,

IT THOUGHT it would be fun,
L Luella went on. ~and that we
might get to be the Henry and
Luella we used to DC"
always the sentimental little
woman, aren't your" said Henry
II reckon so, said Luella, But
l was under the impression that
sentiment was a part of marriage,
She shut the suitcase, and tight
ened the straps. Then she straight
ened. She looked Henry directly
in the face, and asked:
I'm just what way have failed
your"
Henry was startled. Il don't
know that you have failed me" he
said. "I-I--suppose we're both 20
blame for the way things are.
think sometimes, Luella, that we
made mistake--that's all. =
"You mean--in marrying?"
an getting married just when
we did, yes, said Henry. He got
into fresh undershirt and shorts.
Maybe we should have tried be-
ing separated for little while. $,
Found out how we feel about each
other after living away from each
other for few months. :. Pro-
pinquity probably had something
to do with the way we felt about
things-you know, being together
SO much as kids, and after we
grew Up"
A pause, a cropping for words.
"And another thing, Luella-you
don't seem to have any interest in
what I'm trying to do
'Then you do think I've failed
you'll" Luella accused She didn't
wait for Henry's denial, but went
on. 81 am interested in what you
do, and / do want to encourage
you, Henry. Really | do. / keep
thinking that Marie has d lot to do
with your interest in radio--that
if she wasn't in it--you'd not care
so much about il yourself. And
that is what makes me disagree
able at times. If Marie hadn't used
your song and asked you to do
others for her, We we might have
gone on as we were You were
eager to make good with the real
tv people when we first got here,
Henry.
What MAKES you think I'm not
still eager to make gooa?" said
Henry.
Luella shrugged. ooh, I don't
know she said helplessly. But
you don't have the same enthusi-
asn; all YOUR enthusiasm seems to
be for radio work And I don't like
the idea of you quitting the realty
people--it seems unfair, after the
real estate men got YOU up mere. "
That's sentimental view
point" Henry said And senti.
ment should be left out CT hu j
ness. A mans got 10 l9ch OFT fcS
himself This il not the FIRST tirro
you've BROUGHT up the subject.
Il1ella, and / don't like it'll don't
like the way YOU act as though |
we're being dishonest or s3me
thing. in considering a CHANGE
SIN sorry" said Lucia. She
didn't seem to be getting any
where at all. Then suddenly she
agked another UNEXPECTED ques-
ton: DO YOU think Marie under
stands YOU better tran / do?"
Good Lord" Henrv was grow
ing more and more annoyed and
uncomfortable. But since you've
come right oft ard asked. | think
navbe she might. ANYWAY, so far
as nv work is concerned"
"Weisld you marty her if YOU
co,f9?"
'Oh, the devil. T,aellan Henry
fares, 'tDo stop asking silly ques-
tons. Let's drop the subject. All
we 10 is lust go around in circles. .
"No. I won't drop H. said
Lucia stubbornlv. Now that I've
gotten the COURAGE to BRING it uu
I'm gong on. Henry would Marie
be wiling to rn9rry you if / got
out of the way?"
Henry's Answer
HENRY, who had sat down to
4 A tie his shoes, now looked up.
His eyes We're full of misery. Lit
tie Luella May Brown, asking a
| question like that trying to be
modern, trying to find a way out.
For a moment he was tempted
| to take her in his arms, hold her
| close to him. But a vision of Marie
swan before him; Marie, beckon-
| ing, holding out exciting promises
of gay and thrilling life TO-
observation-disclosures
Answer me, Henry" said Lu-
ella.
YES" said Henry 81 think she
would. Anyway, she feels that
understand her and her work, and
she feels we ought to 90 far to-
gether in the radio world"
Il see" said Luel1a And then:
$50 this is marriage!"
Listen, Luella," said Henry,
don't sound so tragic. We haven't
--er-separated or anything like
that. Good, gosh, honey, you
make me feel like a heel! THAT
Is We
@Your suitcase is all ready" Luz
ella cut in. 'sI'll 60 fix a quick sup
per. I've got some cold cuts, and
can heat some rolISsslT
She walked out Of the room
Henry, still sitting upon the side
of the bed, watched her. Damn
he said half aloud not knowing
| just exactly why dc swore.
3