The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-22


ing his groom to bring his hunter
before the door. And now it was
becoming more and more apparent
that she was confronted by an
other gentleman who labored UNI
der decisions.
It stood to reason. Obviously,
anyone who would suspect that
nice Van Hardness Of evil designs
upon towering womanhood was
not in his right mind. No, it was
only too manifest. The gods had
sent her a man OF regal aspect.
But he was little touched in the,
head. And, thought Mrs. Dipsang,
it behooved her to keep him in
her care for two reasons-(D that
she had completely succumbed to
his charming manners and digni-
fled department even while real
izing that he was distinctly potty
and (2) that she owed it to her
employer to prevent man witt
decisions and, possibly, homicide
tendencies from wandering al
large about the house.
Therefore, she would detain him
by gentle means. Then she woule
nurse him back to normally, feed
ing him carefully and seeing to
that he got plenty Of broth.
''What you need now" she sale
beginning her campaign, els s
good hot cup of broth"
The Chiseler could not agree
with this prescription.
What I need" he said fervent
ly, ARE my trousers.
The way to handle this, decidet
Mrs Dipsang, was firmly.
You cannot have your trousers
again tonight" she said, as one
speaks to the cfafnoring child.
Behind his screen the Chiseler
jumped ana Swore.
Mrs. Dipsang smiled. 1t w;
only the second time that TIL
gentleman had sworn. His de1r
sions doubtless took a milder forr
than Dipsang's. When in tire throe
of hallucination Dipsang had fire
quently been won't to curse til.
entire personnel of his estate u,
hill and down dale.
4Now don't take on" she sal.
sooti1ingly. I'm a little while yor
can lie down and get good rest
I've nice room for you. And ser
Your pants are finished They'r
all ready for you tomorrow"
Woman" said the Chiseler
give me my trousers"
I have told you" said Mrs. Dip
sang, with some severity, "thf
you cannot have your trouser
again tonight"
Mental Case
I'm HEAVENS name !" bega,
l the Chiseler and stopped sud.
denly. There was no questio,
abou. it. The woman was menta'
case. He should have perceived j.
long since. In all probability she
was an INDECENT relation of the
head of the houEa, suffering from
some mild form of imbecility. Tc
cater to her, Mr.. Adems hac
doubtless given her this post oil
housekeeper which she held ir
name only. Because she was nuts
Incontrovertibly nuts.
Bitterly the Chiseler cursed the
cupidity which had led BIN to as.
cend the rainspout. But no usc
trying to undo the past, The only
thing for it now was to come out
from behind this screen. watch
his chance and grab her throat
Then he would have to gag he,
and lock her in the closet. He dis.
liked these measures intensely
But there was no help for it now
He was confronted by an inferior
mentality against which subtlety
would be unavailing.
Conscious of the loud note struck
by his under pants he stepped
from behind the screen somewhat
sheepisialy.
4 want my trousers" he said in
a pettish voice.
Now, now" said Mrs. Dipsang.
What did l tell your"
The ChiseIer, in a casual man.
ner, inched nearer.
Tell me, Mrs. Dipsang," he
said, with apparent irreleVance,
about how many servants would
house like this have?v
We'll now, let's see" Mrs. Dip
sang computed on her fingers.
There's Mr.. Matherton. he's the
butler. And Marcel, the chef. Then
there's Higginson. |"
She broke off abruptly, emitting
a subdued cry. The Chiseler,
hands stretching for her throat,
was bearing down upon her like
ferocious species Of whiskered
grampus in red-and-white under
wear.
But the outstretched hands
didn't quite make it. With unsus-
pected agility Mrs. Dipsang was
out of her chair. Still clutching the
trousers, she ducked under the
Chise1er,s arms and slid around
behind the chair.
See here" she painted breath
lessly. You 60 straight back and
sit down. Or I'll scream. really
will. You oughtn't to be running
around in your underpants, any
how. 'Tisn't decent"
But the Chiseler had made UP
his mind. He glowered at Mrs.
Dipsang over the back of the chair.
Then he made q sweeping lunge
around il.
It was the wrong move. It had
the effect Of driving Mrs. Dip
sang to desperate measures. She
glanced wildly at his grasping
fingers and backed against the
wall. She was somewhat terrified
The gentleman's mania had sud-
denly taken violent form but, for
all that, she didn't intend to losc
him. He was a gift from the god
and it was her Job to take charge
of him and nurse him back TO san
ity. But she eoudn't do If If he were