The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-10

L INV
you are and it's a horrible sight.
But you'll have to do better. CUT
Ter. If you've got to get that weight
off Immediately, there's only one
way to do it. That's in the sweat
box down in the Turkish bath.
Come oni"
Wait" ordered Jumbo. 'eYou
mean that coffin thing downstairs
with all the mirrors and electric
light bulbs in it,"
That's right
Jumbo looked doubtful. "I'm
scared Of that thing"
its your only hope. Come
along"
He turned and started for the
elevator. Jumbo followed. protest
ing weakly.
I'm not so sure about this, said
Jumbo. isn't there anything else
! could do? Take a pill or some
thing?n
mot a thing" said Tacks mex
orably. Look alive, Cutler. !
haven't got all night"
The spectacle Of anyone sojourn-
ing in sweat" or baking" box
is always extremely exhilarating
to the risibilitieS. Facls Adams,
gazing at the strained and rubi-
cund visage of Jumbo protruding
through the hole in the top of the
box, treated himself to the first
real laugh he had enjoyed in
weeks.
my gosh" he said, wiping his
eyes. 'You look silly in that
thing"
Listen, Adams" said Jumbo.
Hurry up and get this over with.
It's hot in here"
Tacks turned on more current.
Don't rush mel" he said. I'VE
haven't begun to heat up that box
yet"
.sYou take it easy" Jumbo
warned. Inside the box his body
was beginning to feel the power
of the electric bulbs. It dripped
perspiration.
How you doing, boy?" inquired
Tacks conversationally.
Jumbo pulled. HAS this got to
60 on long?"
well, the longer you're in there
the more weight you'll lose"
Il I'm suffocating," gasped
Jumbo.
. Nonsense I Don't give way like
Tits all fright for YOU to
t-talk," painted Jumbo. "Y-you're
out there c-cool as a cuc-cucuna'-
ber."
'tNow see here, Cutler" said
Tacks, q wish you'd just sit there,
lose weight and stop kfbitzing. I
can't work when I'm badgered like
this"
'B-but I'm s-s-smothering."
interruption
THAT part Of Jumbo's anatomy
4 which held forth from the neck
down felt as if it had been assigned
to a room in the sub-cellar Of
Hades. His eyes goggled. His
tongue hung out.
Tacks was enjoying himself
hugely. He allowed more voltage
to flow into the sweat-box, sat
down and lighted a cigarette.
Jumbo emitted choking sound.
"L-l-lemme out of this. live had
enough
Don't be a sissy" said Tacks,
I'm out to do job on you, CIT
ler." q
Ill !" began Jumbo. bab-
bling.
He was interrupted by a voice
b wiling Tacks' name. Tacks
stepped to the door.
Yes" he shouted.
The owner of the voice APP
preached It turned out to be a boy
in buttons. He handed Tacks q
letter.
'I-l-listen," spluttered Jumbo,
ST. w-want out of t-thiS."
= TackS hardly heard him. He was
staring at the letter, addressed to
him in a firm feminine hand. Then
his heart, a normally placid organ,
set a new record for the run from
his rib region to the back of his
throat and he tore off the envelope.
The note was brief. It read:
Mr.. Adams:
do not consider q promise
giUen under dureSS as binding.
I am therefore breaking our
engagement. for tomorrow
night as the idea of spending
an evening Nth you is err
treTnely diStdSteful to me. This
Is final and I hope you tDilI
make no further attempts TO
phone or see me.
Patricia North.
Had q maestro of the sandbag
Sneaked up behind Mr.. Adams he
could have produced no more
stunning effect upon Tacks than
did this brief TniSsive. The aristo-
cratic Adams jaw dropped. The
Adams eyes bulged. The Adams
frame SaRgeu. Tor second ne
stood there with his world Keeling
about him, punch-erunk and in
capacitated.
S-smatter?" inquired the en-
purpled Jumbo from the sweat
box. "B-bad n-n-news?"
The sound OF Jumbo's voice
snapped Tacks out of it. He blinked
twice and then, examining the
letter into his pocket, wheeled and
tore from the room.
Jumbo Cutler. imprisoned in the
Sweat-box, gazed after him in
stunned surprise. Then he gave
tongue in a terrible way.
Heyl" he reared. @C-come back
here. Y-you want me to b-burn up?
Heyl Hey, TT Tacks. H-have you
gone n-n-nuts?"
His only answer was the
clatter Of Tacks's feet negotiating
the staircase. And then Jumbo
screamed in earnest, employing
the tirne-honored slogan az thew