The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-07-18

had complete set Of great dark
eyes that reminded you Of black
stars. Her hair was ravens wing
spun through with blue fire; her
mouth was wide, with humorous
little cFinkles at the corners.
Somebody or other appeared to
have mashed roSe-petals and late
autumn leaves to get the color for
her cheeks. Match all this with
svelte sapling- in-the- breeze figure
and you've got Paeky. One million
dollars farrned out at exoTbitant
interest couldn't have looked any
more inviting.
On this particular afternoon,
Packy was pirouetting about her
apartment. Not that she was SCI
cret dancer or anything. The cause
of the pirouetting was simply a
new song number which she was
obliged to learn and which was
running through her head and out
of 1t again via her perfect red lips.
There was a foot tick ling quality to
this song that seemed to drive the
singer, involuntarily, into Ia dance.
Packy would have sung and
danced with less abandon, how
ever, had she been aware of pres
ence standing IN the hallway just
outside her door. The presence had
gained admission to the apartment
house In which Packy lived by the
simple expedient Of waiting until
the combination doorn1an and ele-
,vator operator was aloft in his
chariot and then sneaking into the
building. This procedure had nee
essitated a great deal of shopping
IN front of doors on the part OF the
presence. On the third floor, how
ever, his snoopery had been hand
somely rewarded. Packy's name
was on a card Just above her door
bell and the presence's fingers had
been stretching toward this same
bell at the precise moment that
song had arisen from within.
Tacks removed his hat and lis
tened almost respectfully. The
voice was the kind that always fas-
cinated him, low-pitched, bluey,
croony. So he waited until the
song was finished, applauding si-
lently. Then he squared his Shout
ders, gulped, shot a glance Heavens
ward as if seeking divine assis-
lance and landed a straight left to
the doorbell,S chin.
Within, Miss p acky Nor tn
whirled gracefully across the
room, jerked the door open.
.
Inspiration
r EFT door be flung wide to re-
II veal precisely the sort of girl
you've dreamed about since you
were knee-high to tumble-bug
and speech does not always flow
with rhythmic nonchalance.
'Uuuugh!" Mr.. Adams managed,
without undue brilliance.
Packy looked at him out Of great
cool eyes.
'Well?. she said. in a puzzled
voice.
The individual before her pulled
himself together. Of stern stuff are
the sons of Eli.
Erah-a--are you Miss Pa
tricia North?" be began.
Il am" said Packy.
There was an uncomfortable
pause. Then Heaven sent Tacks
Adams an inspiration.
eI'm a radio mar" announced
TackS Adams.
The puzzled expression still dec
GRATED the face of Miss Patricia
North.
rs that so9r she said.
Il mean, I-er-I sell radios"
said Tacks hastily. Il fix them,
too"
''Well, I've got a radio and 1t
doesn't need fixing"
So much for Heavens inspira-
ton. Mr.. Tacks Adams dropped
Heaven like hot potato and be-
come Of the earth earthly.
But I'm really here" he said
briskly, Ito read the meter. IL
only sell radios on the side"
Well" Packy said, Il haven't
got a meter
what? No meter?"
This time Packy gave way to inn
pulse.
do I look like taxicab?" she
said, and Smiled.
That smile hit Tacks Adams
right where he lived. It was the
most dazzling, charming smile that
he could remember since he had
become smiles conscious.