The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-11-16
Chapter 20
Apartment Bargain

before they started apartment
- hunting, David sat her down
in front of him, and talked at her.
''Now listen, baby. lot of
things are bound to come up that
are going to need adjusting. What
do you say we look ahead a little,
right now -. and forestall them?'
"Fine. What things, darling =.
money things?"
"Um-m, mostly"
''Well, right here / want to say
that although Daddy left all his
money to Honey she's always
given me an allowance from it,
and | knoU she'll want to 90 on.
We can use that towards nice
apartment. -"
Here her husband interrupted.
''That's one of the things. sweet
heart. You can use your money for
all the personal pretties you want,
that's none of my business; but
food, rent, living expenses
that's little David's affair. Def
nitely. -. Okay?"
"Of course, okay, darling, "
quickly. She had known he would
feel that way really =. but it did
seem-silly.
"And it won't include caviar for
breakfast or at any time, for
that matter. We're poor, Nina.
Fifty bucks week means $50 q
month for an apartment. vt will
seem like being a pauper to you
But you knew it beforehand.
didn't you? Didn't your"
His brown eyes were pleading.
ooh, David. !" She got up and
went over TO him. Into his arms.
"Oh. David.
But David's attitude was not
one of humble, establishment.
He wasn't making much now
but he was young. and would do
better. Nina had cast in her lot
with his. and there was nothing
for either of them to feel sorry or
ashamed about.
a FFlenu IN 1cDuM
THEY took the first apartment
1 they saw, partly because it
was a good bargain, and party be-
cause the superintendent was
such an engaging fellow.
When he pushed open the door
into the tiny. dark cubicle of a
hall. and paused. dramatically.
David said, from the rear: Lead
on. MacDuffl"
But the superintendent held his
ground.
Madam" he said. grandly. with
q hand flourish, you are now in
the foyer!"
Well. that was right. Nina was
being in the middle. But David
was still half out in the outer yes
thule. and their guide was bulg-
ing over into the parlor.
The elegantly named foyer
was all of three by three.
Very nice, said Nina. gra-
ciously. and the man led on.
There was living a
bad size really, and a smaller
bedroom. and still even smaller
kitchen. and a timer than that
bath.
Certain features that practically
brought the tears to the superin-
tendent's eyes, were the inciner-
ator in the kitchen and chan
delier of many loops and coils. in
the center of the living-room.
'Noo-veau art" he said, inn
pressively. and made them stand
and look at it.
The apartment was in a new
elevator building. between Lex
ington and Third. on 48th St.
McDuf. the superintendent
his name really was McDuff---ex-
planned to them that these ex-
stremely spacious rooms, with
their fine view of the court and
the delivery entrance. so that
there was a cross ventilation.
usually rented for $50 a month;
but since they absolutely refused
TO pay cent more than $50 he
was sure the owners would be
willing 10 let il out. at that ridicu-
lousy low figure. on a month to
month basis. lust to have someone
in it.
That was to say. that the apart
ment would have 10 be open for
inspection at all times. and that
they would have to move out
within the month. should tenants
be found. willing 20 sign a lease
at the higher figure.
Nina and David aSSimilated
these facts. and decided il was
worth the gamble.
"C0nidentiallY speaking" said
McDutT. in q stage whisper.
there's another apartment like
this on the floor above. I'd do any
. thing IN my power 70 rent that
first though it's SIS a month
higher. on account of seeing over
them there roofs in back"
II was evident that in McDufl
they had found a friend.
They decided 70 take =.
They remained az 4ha hotel "a