The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-16
Chapter 81
Train Trip

Need anyone know?" asked
Pierre seriously.
Il would know" answered
Toni.
Then, cherie-" he came close.
his arms extended-''let me lend
you the money. We can slip it in,
a little at a time. No one will
know the difference.
THAT isn't honest. Pierre"
Toni objected. Il couldn't play
underhanded."
Pierre shrugged his shoulders.
do you think Allen Bartell is
playing an honest game with
you?" ne asked.
Toni shook her head hopeless
ly. 1T doesn't matter what he
does. l don't have to live with
him. do have to live with my
self"
Toni. don't you see that is why
a woman fails in business? She is
too Inherently honest to fight fire
with fire. Do you want Bartell to
VIM"
Toni stood up resolutely. Bar
tell is not going to win," she
stated emphatically. 81 still have
a fine chance. The Tolands threw
me off the track, but l can make
up the time lost there. You're a
dear, Pierre, to want to save me.
but it's my fight"
You'll winl" Pierre shook her
hands, warmly.
ABE" Toni called him back
in, Il want you TO check the
number of frogs we'll have avail
able for sale between now and the
last of October. See where you
can cut down on feed cost"
Pierre remained after the others
had left. you won't let me help
you with the bookkeeping.
Tomb"
ITS nice of you, Pierre, but I've
been a bookkeeper."
My salary could be suspend
ed" he offered.
"Oh. Pierre. if there were only
a few more men like you. No.
dear. The principle of the will is
that | should prove my right to
the farm. That is something l
must do alone
my valiant" murmured
Pierre.
Toni went over her market list.
Everything within the radius of
three hundred miles had been
secured No further markets there
were available. She'd have to ex-
tend her territory. But how could
she do that and cut her sales
cost?
Il can't let Pierre live in cheap
hotels and dine at hamburger
stands. I'll simply have to go
back on the road, myself"
But where? The sensible thing
would be to go to the places
where the greatest number of
markets were within the smallest
radius. Los Angeles was the
answer.
Toni acted quickly. The next
day was Saturday. She could take
the Daylight Limited on Sunday.
rest Sunday night and be fresh
for work Monday.
She telephoned for reservations
the next morning. She could take
a train from Oakland at seven
forty Sunday morning and con-
meet with the Limited at San
Jose. She sent Abe for her reser-
walton. then -tarted to pack.
Dotty lowered over her,
pressed clothes. checked lingerie.
assured her she would keep the
two me nand the million frogs
well fed and contented.
AS~@lnset Toni. from Dotty's
window. watched a strange pro-
cedure at the pens. Old Abe had
erected a pulley line across the
main market pen. He was stand
ing at one side working the
pulley. Occasionally he would let
out triumphant "whoop!"
Toni sped to the pen. ABE
what in the name of goodness
are YOU doing?" she asked.
well now -" Abe looked
abashed - frogs is fussy. They
take their food movin' or not at
all | was experimental"
"You were what?" gasped
Toni.
MAXIM 'em think they was
gettin' live meat because it
moved. See? | puts a strip of raw
stew beef on this here little hook
| draws it slow-like over the
feedin' grounds and they snaps it
up. Now watch"
Toni watched. They did. Raw
beef or horse meat might be
cheaper and more Killing than the
soft-shelled mollusks she was
buying for them every day.
Soft-shelled - the word stayed
with her. ABE" she cried. why
not try the soft-shelled crabs on
the beach. It's alive with them.
Come on. we're going to test them
out"
'Conceited GirIv
THE next morning Toni, look
L ing very much the heir to q
million dollars rather than a mil
lion frogs. embarked on the
branch line. She was feeling tri-
umphant. The beach was to be
cured of those spider-like little
crabs which, once inside of her
frogs. would materially assist the
black army in defeating the reds.
The Daylight Limited. a cream
and orange Streamline. slid into
San Jose like something out Of
another world. Even the porters
were CARRIED to match the train,
and the interior of her car was like
nothing she had ever dreamed OF
seeing. Pastel walls, overstuffed
chairs. wide crystal-elear win
dows. Toni sank into a chair. re-
moved her hat and relaxed For