The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-07-20
Chapter Six
Miss Dorothy South


Miss Dorothy South
THE terrace Of the Penguin Club
4 was deserted Of all save Gus
the bartender, when Tacks re-
turned. He entered Gus,s domain
with heavy tread and d0Wncast
eyes. In truth, Mr.. Adams was not
feeling so well. He was expert.
encing the same sensation that he
had several We ars previously
when, in the Yale Harvard tussle,
a beautiful forward pass had fallen
into his arms behind the crimson
goal-line and he had subsequently,
let it slip through his fingers. That
had been a decidedly unpleasant
feeling. But it was no worse than
the one which afflicted him now.
Mr.. Tack Adams had made q sorry
mess Of it.
OF course, it wouldn't have
been important had not Miss Pa
tricia North been so like - well,
like Miss Patricia North. Resting
his elbows on the bar, Tacks gazed
vacantly into space and marveled
upon the shifting tides of Life. An
hour earlier he had set forth upon
his mission, whole Of heart and
fancy-free. He would have been
prepared to bet real money that
he would return In the same con-
dition. And had he? He had not.
On the way back from Packy's
apartment he had had the feeling
as Of one who walks in chains,
Now, with the sound Of the Slam
ming door only just beginning to
quit his sensibilities, he was per-
ceiving why. He was in love, that
was all, suddenly, desperately in
love.
Gus cut in upon these dark
musings.
Have anything, sir?" he In
quired professionally.
Tacks regarded him with melan-
choly eye.
Listen, Gus" he said, whats
the best drink when you're feeling
sunk?"
Gus set himself for weighty
speech.
well now, I'll tell you, sir" he
said. IF you've maybe got a little
unsettlin' of your stummick, there
amt nothing like nice glass Of
gin and bitters." He eyed Tacks
reprovingly. IF more of you
young gentlemen was to drink gin
with a dash of bitters in it an less
Of these personous cocktails, you'd
be doing better job for your
selves. often says to my missus.
] says
Tacks interrupted. He cared not
what Gus often says to his miSsus.
Put a bottle of gin where ] can
get at IT," he ordered.
Gus reached for the bottle and
Tacks returned to his seif-upbraid-
ing. If only he'd had the common
sense TO put his foot in the door
way, as Jumbo had done, and pro-
woke Patricia into planting her
adorable right fist in his eye!
That would have been better
than nothing.
Something violent assaulted his
back, causing his teeth to chatter.
He turned his head YEARLY. Jumbo
Cutler and Van Hardness stood
there, grinning hatefully.
Hey, Taeks," said Jumbo, in
alarm. Whats the matter? You
look sort of green and kicked
around"
II feel sort Of green and kicked
around. Go away, will you? ] want
70 be alone"
CaIIOusness
WHATS biting you. guyl" said
w Van.
Nothing" said Taeks shortly.
Gone to see your girl yeti" in
quifed Jumbo, unwittingly rub
bing Satin an open wound.
NC" lied Tacks.
eHals said Van, with sudden
penetration. FT'll bet that's whats
the matter with him. He probably
saw her and she gave him the air
Well cheer up, Tacks, my boy
Anyhow you didn't stick your eye
out like Jumbo did,"
Tacks WINGED. What callousnessl
What brutality!
II don't care to discuss ny-er--
Miss North with you" he said.
-Okayl Let's sit down and have
one. BY the way, Bills out making
q pass az the East brothers"
~ wish him luck" said Tack:
listlessly.
Van ordered drinks.
IT know" he said, shat / agreed
II was okay for Bill to bring ont
Of these East fellows to this shin
dig. But ! still think he has tn,
The telephone, jangling behinC
the bar, interrupted him.
Bar" said Gus. answering Il
Who's that? Just q minute" HI
beckoned TaclS For you, sir"
To the party on the other end o
the wire Taeks spoke for severa
minutes. And the astute observe
would have gathered immediatel,
that the person calling was plead,
ing with Tacks for something
Whatever that something was.
seemed 70 be highly amusing 4
Mr.. adams. Despite the leader
weights depressing his soul, q gril
spread slowly over his face.
The person at the other end o
the wire appeared to yanmer.