The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-01
Chapter IS
Invifafion To The Ball

Invitation To The Ball
THE undivided attention Of the
i entire company Of freaks was
now riveted on the shooting-gal-
lery man and William. So was the
undivided attention of the group
of bystanders. The shooting-gal-
lery man, evidently accustomed
TO publicity, bore up exceedingly
well under these batteries Of eyes.
Not so William. He began to feel
acuteiy uncomfortable. Striving
for nonchalance, he passed a finger
around the inside of his collar.
Then, aware Immediately that this
gesture had failed to establis him
as a gentleman who is confidently
at ease, he took off his hat and
wiped his face with handker-
chief.
Tee hee," gurgled Pearl the
snake-charmer, in the midst of this
operation.
William redeemed. His not to
know that Pearl was merely gig
Cling out of the hghtness Of her
heart.
The shooting gallery magnate
spoke again, testify.
well. c'mon, c'InJn," ne said to
Hora ce and Morris. whats da
matter wild you dopes?"
The fact that they were sent for
seemed to dawn simultaneously on
Horace and Motifs East. They
arose as one. As one they pushed
their way through the assemblage
of monstrosities. As one they COW
cred the few feet to the edge Of the
platform. And Mr.. William Steele,
gazing at them with eyes that
would have been notable even in
the head of fiabbergasted gold
fish, experienced a sudden sinking
sensation. He gripped the platform
with both hands and turned to the
shooting-gallery man.
Good gosh" he exc1a i'm d
hoarsely, what is it,"
The shooting gallery man was a
sticher for facts.
ct amt an 'if,"' he corrected.
Its two of EN-"
YES. see. B-but -"
"Aw." said the shooting gallery
man, what's da matter? Amt va
never seen Siamese twins before?"
Came the dawn for Mr.. William
Steele of California. At long last he
understood the mystery of those
perpiexing letters after the name
of the East brothers in the Man.
h attan telephone directory. He
was suddenly aware of the reason
for the sinister leer and cryptic
speech of the delicateSsen man.
And he was likewise aware that,
unless he wanted to drop one thou
sand cold smackers, he would APP
pear in due course in fashionable
section of Long Island looking like
the guy who invented that useful
crack anent two birds and but a
single stone. Ii"
Recovering somewhat from his
establishment, he now took time
out and studied the Messrs. East.
They were small men, smooth
faced and owlish OF eye. Separated
from the other, either would have
been a Grade A nonenity. They
got across purely because they
were joined together. Morris lay a
short degree to the left Of Horace
and at a weird, obIique angle. Hor-
ace returned the compliment by
striking off short degree to the
right Of Morris at similar angle.
To add to the confusion. they were
dead ringers for each other. Fur
fher than that, through long and
close association perhaps, they had
formed the habit Of acting stimuli
taneously. Did Horace cough, Nor
ris did likewise. We're Morris to
incline his head in one direction,
Horace felt it incumbent to incline
his head in the same direction. If
Horace's nose twitched slightly, so
did the nose of Morris.
Verbal Bait
THE shooting gallery man made
i small talk.
"Dey was born dis way" said
the shooting-g gallery man, with a
certain ill-concealed satisfaction.
William turned, to the East
brothers.
rs that a fact?' he said pleas
antly.
Absolutely" said Mr.. Horace
East.
Positively" said Mr.. Morris
East.
Norris said Horace, "be
quiet"
But 1 only said.
An exasperated expression
crossed the face of Horace East.
Morris" he demanded sharply,
who is the brains of the act?"
Why-er-oh. / suppose you
are, said Morris gloomiiy.
Exactly. Now viii you be quiet
and let me handle thiS?"
Mr.. William Steele, the first fine
fiush OF his embarrassment gone,
had been probing the recesSes of
his mind for some enticing verbal
bait with which to lure Horace
and Morris East TO Long Island
and still abide by the rules of the
game of North, South, East and
West Nothing, however, of a very
exhilarating nature had occurred
to him. But he realized that he was
on the spot here.
Listen he said abruptly, 'you
fellows want to go on a swell
loop2" He was aware, as he spoke,
that this reference to festivities
might be construed as breach
Of the rules. But, for the moment,
he waived the rules. William was
feeling hard-pressed.
"Eoopf' said the section Of the
East brothers known as Horace,
blankly.
YES You know. sort OF q
party"
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