The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-14

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Stud it is, with the One-eyed
Jacks wild"
Could that be the voice of Great
aunt Hannah?
Toni crept close to the win
dow. There, Allen BartelPs voice:
Here's your five and I'll raise you
FIVE"
Five, you weakened puppy"
giggled Great aunt Hannah's
voice 'Tl see you and raise you
ten"
Toni risked one eye. Great-aunt
Hannah, who would allow no man
to sr1cl,e in the house, sat
wreathed with the blue vapor ris-
ing from cigars. pipes and Gig
arettes. Her pompa dour had
slipped TO one side Shed taken off
her heavy brooch and turned her
collar back.
Great-aunt Hannah had a stack
of chips like a medieval fortress
before her Great-aunt Hannah
was playing poker.
Toni crept back to bed.
From the safety of the divan she
addressed Timothy Toland's por-
trait. "If Allen Bartell can do this
TO Great-aunt Hannah. no wonder
he could make you draw up that
utterly cockeyed will"
II was the next day she discov-
cred Great-aunt Hannah on the
beach.
Toni had served breakfast. The
family had been there-that is. the
feminine members. Looking out of
the window, Toni had identified
the male members. The Major.
who had struck up an astounding
friendship with Old Abe. was
withdrawing the hen houses.
Darlington. on hands and knees,
was wedding a new crop of carrots.
Other Tolands were here and
there. Only Bartell and Great
aunt Hannah were missing.
Aunt Hannah had slept at home.
Her bed had been used. but she
hadn't donned her stays. new or
old. or any of the few clothes she
had carried into quarantine.
!. so Nerve Wracked'
EEARFULLY, Toni began
l. search of Bartell's property.
The house was ii perfect order. No
signs of life on the deck or IN the
barbecue grove.
Toni returned TO her own place,
then. riqid with apprehension.
sought the cove where she had
spent those unhappy hours the
dsv of the will contest.
Toni stood on the cliff and
looked down. Allen was padding
a few yards out. but on the sand
lay Great-aunt Hannah in a most
becoming sun-suit Great aunt
Hannah's face was covered with a
sun-hat. Her arms still beautl-
fully shaped. were turning deli
cate pink Toni looked across the
exDanse of dark blue polka-dOtted
satin and gasDed. Great-aunt Han
nah had legs.
The next day the quarantine
was lifted. Toni would never for
get that day. It nurt her to see the
reluctance with which the family
hacked. the pathos of their words.
They were going back home; back
10 tripe and mutton, and gray and
brown clothes. However. their
faces would brighten. Some day.
when she had won the farm and
the stipu.ations of the will were
lifted. they could return for visit.
Hannah Toland alone remained
silent. Not until Bartelrs car had
called for her. followed by the
cars of a half dozen friends of his,
did she speak. and then sharply.
You little fool" she snapped
I'm going to draw up a new
viii"
The door closed. Cars roared,
then gradually their roar dimin-
ishod with distance
Toni turned 10 look at the
house. Once again il was hers, all
hers. every room in il. Once again
she was free to fight for it.
She went to the divan. burrowed
her head into the cushions and
cried.
He's alienated the family from
me. too" she sobbed.
Pierre found he there He gath
cred her into his arms and rocked
her. He found a cool cloth for her
tear-burning eyes. And he soothed
her with his voice
There. there, cherie,' he. muir
INJURED "Poor little girl. so tired
so nerve wracked.
81 but. Pierre" sobbed Toni.
Allen has taken them away from
me. Great-aunt Hannah called me
a fool and said she was going tc
make new will.
Were Won to be in her will?"
demanded Pierre.
/ Mono" shifted Toni. mot that
l know of. But don't you see what
an influence he has over people?
Two weeks with the Tolands and
he turned them from stuffed shirts
&c utter idiots"
"And without me having q
chance at them" exclaimed Pierre.
WHAT" burst from Toni.
81 mean Pierre fastened to
say. that / could have mitigated
his influence"
'Umhuh. agreed Toni. but
thew did have a wonderful time"
Mrs. Dorothy Dougherty re-
turned that evening. She greeted
Toni ruefulls And to think I was
cheated ont of the quarantine" she
cried.
/. Cheated" echoed Toni. But
you didn't like the Tolands."
81 hadn't had time to learn what
a grand gang they were. Allen says
they're tops"
Tops. repeated Toni ALLEN
said that?"