The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-23
By Peggy OMore

Bartell looked at her suspici-
ousIy but he helped her out Of
one and into the other car with
a certain gentleneSs.
Now, she decided as they
rolled back along Central. she'd
tell him.
But he only rolled the car two
blocks before he turned into the
curb again.
Doctor Tillman's," he ex-
planned, starting to get out of the
car, your wrist"
Doctor Tillman. Anyone but
that doctor with an x-ray eye.
zzfs-thiS is my final act as your
Guardian" Bartell was saying, @if
you must leap before you look,
you're going to have to find
someone else to pick you out of
the mess"
Tomi's hands closed firmly on
Bartells coat tails.
Allen" she pleaded. He'd said,
leap she'd have to. Shed
have to leap into the darkness
ahead of her without knowing
what lay there. JOY or humilia-
ton.
He was looking back over his
shoulder at her wrists, both of
them.
ALLEN l know, they D.. or it is
all right. But / had to talk to you.
Allen, you're right. | do leap be-
fore / look because if / didn't
I'd never never dare ask you to
marry me because if / did ask you
and you said yes, think what an
awful life we'd live"
Bartell folded his length back
into the coupe. turned on the top
light and stared at Toni.
did hear you say something
about asking me to marry you?"
he asked. increduously.
Toni nodded miserably. Shed
made the leap and it was dark
ahead-"if you should 60 to the
mountains maybe | couldn't find
you to ask you before leap year
was over and"
But you hate mel"
I've Been Looking
Il KNOW" agreed Toni, SOL
EMMY. but hating anyone as
much as I've hated you takes lot
of thinking about until by now
well just can't face the flu
ture without having you to hate
for wanting my farm and my
frogs"
Frogs" snorted Bartell.
Toni un d erst o d. Il know
they don't like you, Allen. frogs
are fuSsy but I'm not"
Bartell's head went back and
the little car shook with his
laughter.
Are you serious?" he asked,
after a moment. Are you really
proposing to me, a girl like you
proposing to a man like me?"
Toni stiffened Every nerve
stood on protesting edge. Every
ingrained inhibition clamored for
revenge. Words. slashing soath-
ing words. drummed at her lips.
"a girl like you"
The dark window threw back
her reflection. mud caked hair,
mud streaked face. mud sodden
blouse. She looked like a gGaiTl.
That's what she was, half this
and half tina: and nobody loved
her; really
~ clean up we'll" she offered.
hopelesSly.
"Oh. Toni, darling, | didn't
mean" Toni sank her head into
the suddenly close shoulder,
lifted il to receive an ambroSial
kiss favored with tulle and pond
mud.
Il meant that it took courage
for a girl of your spirit to pro-
pose to a man who lad talked to
you the way talked after my
submeTSion."
Toni nodded. It had taken
courage. But Allen Bartell was
worth it-"and you'll teach me to
look before | leap?" she pleaded.
submiSsively.
Look before you listen,
we re getting right back to the
farm and into dry clothes. I've
a change at the cabin. And then
we're hopping a plane for Reno"
Reno" gaSped Toni. ALLEN.
we're not married yet"
"And we have to wait three
days after filing intentions if we
marry in this state. I'm not tax
ing any chances of you looking
before you make this leap"
"But shouldn't your"
Il have been looking ever since
you slid into my arms in the
Toland parlor- And what's more,
I think our friend and great
uncle Timothy Toland looked for
both of us and prayed we'd
Leap"
THE END