The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-23
Chapter SO
Look Before You Leap

Look Before You Leap
DONE it agin'," accused the
~ toothless Abe. "losht your
man thish time"
my MANI" echoed Toni and
shivered with something nearer
ecstacy than cold. She savored
the words. And he had gone to
the mountains.
Toni sped in his wake and ar
rived before the house just in
time to see the tail lights of her
own coupe give one malevolent
wink before they disappeared.
How can l catch him when
he's in my carr" she walled.
Take hish," advised Abe,
pounding up behind her.
But Bartell didn't leave keys
in ignition sockets as Toni did.
Reckon he was sho exchited
he forgosh il washn't hish no
more" offered Abe.
The world dropped away from
Toni ABE. which are his
mountains"
Abe didn't know. She could
call a cab but by the time it
reached the farm and turned
back ABE" she said firmly,
you're going to have to drive
after him"
mot wishout my teesh!" stated
Abe, Stubbornly.
Then back the fool thing out
and / will"
Miraculously, Abe's car stayed
in the road. benevolently it didn't
break down on the bridge and
when it reached Central Avenue.
it was still going strong:
Toni marveled at both the car
and herself. She. Toni Toland
was running after man and that
man. of all men, was Allen Bar
tell. What she was going to do
when she caught him she didn't
know. she just didn't want him to
get away from her ever.
A traffic light bloomed red be-
fore her Toni pressed stockinged
feet to brake and clutch. They
didn't give. She stood up on
them and the car. having slithered
into the intersection came to a
sudden. neck cracking stop.
The clutch and brake had
given. and having given the
clutch remained pressed to the
floor boards. Horns sounded.
traffic bells rang. a police whistle
shrilled and Toni went down I'M
der the wheel to work on the
clutch with both hands.
II came up suddenly and she
with it. her head contracting the
wheel with emphasis. Earnestly
she addressed the wheel in her
native tongue and looked up to
see a black moustached police
officer watching and listening in
rapt admiration.
''It's all right. Risso," offered
the weary voice of Allen Barteil
10 the officer "I'll get rid of her
Slide over" ne ordered Toni.
Toni slid
Under the 81, 1T minist-ation
of Bartell. Abe's car gurgled,
purred gave a Jump and went
leaping across the intersection.
the BartelI nigh hat smacking the
roof with each leap. the Bartell
brow growing darker and darker
Shed have TO make him talk
IL should have asked that of
ficer 10 arrest Won for stealing
nv car. Toni offer ed with
spirit.
She Had To Leap
pARTELL turned to give her an
10 angry glance - You could
have asked but George and 1 went
hunting in this car last fall. Be-
sides. do you think any officer
would take your word for any,
thing looking the way you dog"
Toni couldn't help il. she
giggled-"I don't look like I'd
come home with the milkman"
anyone with one grain of
common sense would know bet
ter than 20 run around in wet
clothes"
Isn't it tn truth?" agreed
Toni. happily He'd noticed she
was still in her wet clothes. He'd
noticed and he'd talked And he
was still in his wet clothes.
There's YOUR car" he was
drawing up to the curb. "the
heaters on. | was just returning
il. I'll drive Abe'S-"
If she. let him 60 he'd 60 to
his mountain before she'd e.
whatever il was she was going
to do TO hold him.
Il | can't drive" she Of
fered with sudden inspiration,
my wrist" she dangled a wrist
before him. pulling the clutch
up-"