The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-09
Chapter q
The Whole FAMILY


gree And then she explained. She
said it looked as though you were
going to win the farm"
Pierre, snap out of it and talk
sense. What has a third degree to
do with my success with the
FARM"
When ever Bartell sees he's
losing a case, he turns his charm
on some feminine opponent. He
makes her want to lose, so he can
win"
Tomi's hands gripped the edge
OF the bench. Last night she had
thought just that. She hadn't
cared about the farm, about sue
cess. only about Allen BarteIl.
Lilly said from now on Allen
would be dating you regularly so
he could keep you away from
your work; make you lose interest
In 1t. Toni, look at me. Do you
think I'm species of rat for tell
ing you this?"
Toni looked at Pierre without
seeing him.
Don't you understand? If any
one were to treat my wife that
way. I'd have right to forewarn
her. wouldn't II"
TomTs eyes were shining like
two black diamonds. "Of course,
Pierre. and you are French. | I'M
derStand. We feel things different
ly. We react differently"
And. Toni. you vii. marry me.
after we've won the FARM"
Toni looked down at him and
again she nodded with under
standing. Il think so, Pierre. I'm
not sure now that want to marry
anyone. | mean, don't want to
think of marriage until this season
Is over. After that"
I'll wait" He spoke with con-
fidence. Meanwhile, you will
have nothing to do with Bartell."
Toni stood up. That's where
you are wrong. Pierre. I'm going
to see as much of Bartell as I can.
I'm going to stay so close to him
l can watch his every move. No,
Pierre, | won't listen to you. | am
not your ffancee yet. I'm free, and
/ want to be free. By the way. will
you go to Sacramento for me this
week? haven't been able to sell
the buyer for The Senator Hotel.
That's one OF the best markets in
the valley"
Pierre was satisfied, elated.
Again, he was the dignified bust
ness man. The boyish, appealing
Pierre was lost behind the brisk
busineSs-like attitude.
You'd better drive up today so
you can see him first thing in the
morning" Toni concluded.
She went to her room to sit,
tense. bitter. Everything Pierre
had reported tailed with what
had occurred the previous day.
Allen had thrown her off-guard.
She had seen him as a man. not
her great-uncle's attorney.
Dotty had warned her he could
turn his charm off and on, at win.
He had willed to turn it on her
for that brief time. She had
basked in it. gloried in it. What a
fool she had been.
So the feed-line had Uibrdted
loose, had it? And that island
obligingly appeared at the proper
time. Something else was going
to vibrate loose before she got
through with Allen Bartell.
See him again? She certainly
would. Shed be the Toni he pro-
fessed to like. Other men had
found her enticing before she ever
heard of this legal gigolo.
I'm So Happy
1.-TWO can play at your game,
l. Allen Bartell, she prophesied.
and started towards the window
which gave view of his house.
She wheeled before she reached
there and went to the front win
dow. She wouldn't even look al
his place.
And Lilyl What a fine wife she
would make. divulging Aliens
professional secrets TO his oppo-
nentS. Dotty said their engage
ment had never been announced,
50 she, Toni, wouldn't be violating
any ethics il she gave that brassy-
headed little blonde long stretch
OF unhappy hours.
Pierre had driven the car TO the
spot nearest the veranda and was
slowing his bags inside. Toni
opened the screen and leaned out,
watching him, talking to him.
"Pl bring home that order" he
assured her.
The car door slammed. He
waved goodby.
Toni kneeled before the win
dow and watched the car Jog
down the dirt road. Dear Pierre.
Why couldn't Allen look after her
interest like that?
And wasn't il a glorious day?
Wild mustard, like strips Of pale
sunlight, lined either side Of the
road. Pierre was slowing down.
Oh, there was a group OF people
in the middle of the road. Prob
ably neighboring farmers walking
back from High Mass.
All but one had stepped OF
into the wild mustard. Pierre was
forced into il himself. The one
figure had refused to give way,
On it came, the others falling be
hind like a little band following
the Maior-domo.
Amused, Toni watched until
she saw the leader was a woman
q tall dominant figure. Little
wisps OF dust arose as her Ions
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