The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-08

pier.
And then Toni had hooked her
arm through Pierre's and sung q
snatch Of Thanks for the Memories,
to Bartell.
Toni beat at an innocent pillow.
She would spend the entire day in
bed. Why? Couldn't she take 1t?
Hadn't she asked for it? Hadn't she
known that there were two kinds
of love? All right, she'd been in the
clouds for whole day, and now
she was back down to earth and
decidedly bruised.
Good morning" purred Dotty,
from the door. Here's your break
fast. Pierre is haunting the house
looking like Banquo in the flesh. ]
thought you might need little
fortitude before facing him."
Toni sat up, the wings of her
black hair swinging. Darn Pierre.
Darn Allen Bartell. Darn every
thing, including you, Dotty Dough-
erty. You conniving-"
Taste these eggs and see how /
connived to make them taste like
anything but eggs. A dash of this
and dash of that. Go wash your
facet"
Toni rumpled her hair, then
catching a Whit of the coffee,
jumped out to return in a few mo-
ments in a becoming negligee Of
lemon yellow.
''Those gorgeous roses! Where
did they come from?" Toni cried,
touching two perfect salmon-pink
buds. ''They smell like cloves.
What are they?"
Dotty tucked the corners of her
lips into place. They're Wdrd-
tDees, and they come from a florist
and note came with them"
My Wife
TONI knew she would not touch
L the note with ten foot poker,
but there being no poker at hand,
she waited only until Dotty left
her alone.
Bartell's signature flashed up
like his smile. Il cut a hunk out Of
that sunset sky last night" he
wrote, land had it made up into
these roses. They're to remind you
of what could happen if we could
make enough promises"
And just what did he mean by
that?
She hid the note where a knot of
velvet ribbon tied the lacy flounce
of her robe together, when she
heard Dotty's step.
when are Lily and Allen 10 be
married." she asked, innocently.
Dotty looked at her, sharply.
"About the same time you and
Pierre step off. / imagine" she re-
turned.
Pierre and n" asked Toni.
From the way Pierre acted yes
terday, | didn't know but what you
were already married"
Tomi's laugh dubbed out. How
did he act?" she asked.
Dotty laughed with her, then
shook her head. He'll probably
tell you," she advised. AAnd do
come down before he wears a hole
in the living room rug. He's been
pacing back and forth since dawn"
Poor Pierre. She might as well
go down and get it over. Assure
him of whatever it was he wanted.
Dressing, she stared at the mir
ror in surprise. She looked almost
pretty. 1t must be the dress-white
lawn with tiny black dots, the full
gathered skirt, the square neck
with little knots of black ribbon.
Pierre stopped his pacing as she
came down the stairs. then rushed
to meet her. "Tomil"
He was haggard. Poor, poor
Pierre.
toni, you wouldn't talk to me
last night. couldn't Sleep"
swell, Pierre. if I'd tried to talk
to you. I'd have gone to sleep sit
ting up. | was tired"
II must talk to you Immediately,
and alone" he insisted. as though
he hadn't heard her. "Alone."
Toni looked around. They
seemed to be alone. "Will the gar
den be alone enough?" she asked.
Pierre led her out to seat that
Old Abe had built near the garden
pool. A weeping willow threw lacy
curtains on three sides, the fourth
gave view to the house and the
drive and paths.
But having led her to seclusion,
Pierre said nothing. He resumed
his pacing until the fish, who had
come up to nibble at the rice flour
balls Toni tossed in. retreated to
the shelter of lily pads.
Pierre" she said at length,
what is the matter?"
He paused before her, blue eyes
dark with worry. Il don't know
how to tell you," he began. Its
about Bartell, what he did yester-
day. his motive in kidnapping
you"
kidnapping" scoffed Toni.
That's ridiculous. You heard the
mechanic say the feed-line had be-
come disconnected"
"You admit, don't you, that you
didn't know he'd planned a
picnic?"
"Pierre, what right have you to
question me?"
T-that is. you are going to be
my wife. have right to look after
you"
Toni was suddenly startled
Pierre had never mentioned mar
riage. She had taken his intentions
for granted, just as he was assum-
ing now that she had.
docs il occur to you that you
have said nothing to me about mar
riaga?" = -.
Oh. Toni. He was on his knees
his head in her lap. i've been SC
completely upset, so worried. Foui
hours yesterday until Deity broke