The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-01
Chapter IA
DOtty DOugherty

her.
Toni read it, a pleased smile ap-
pearing. "Why, this is splendid.
Fine character, and he was reared
on one of the greatest OF all frog
farms. don't see why you took
such an attitude towards him?"
'Tt's what the telegram didn't
say" Bartel explained.
'fBut what else could it say?"
aside from giving a cut and
dried report, the only human word
in it is his nickname, the Shiek."
Tomi's laugh rang out. why
Allen Bartell, believe you're jeal-
usl That's right, Lily did make a
play for him, didn't she?"
'Lily!" blurted Bartell, then
quoted. "That's an idea" he MUIR
INJURED. "All right, Miss Tolandr
again you've asked for it. I'm going
to comply with everything you've
asked for. providing you place an
advertisement in the TimeS-Std7
for houSekeeper Immediately.
Toni extended her hand, and
Bartell met it with firm clasp.
"Friends?" he asked.
until we meet next time.
agreed Toni, and left.
She fairly flew to the street. The
hotel was only two blocks away,
but she must telephone. She did
from a drugstore, then learning
Pierre would meet her there, wan
dered restlessly among the books
In the library nook.
No one of these gaily jacketed
books held a story as exciting as
hers. She could handle Bartell!
And without Delaying pin. Some
day, perhaps, she could make him
sit up and beg.
Prudhomme appeared, matched
Tomi's gay spirit with his own, and
they hurried to place a house
keeper advertisement in the news
paper, then stopped next door at
Ole's to drink to their success, in
coffee. Tucked away in a booth. Sc
cure from curious eyes, Toni felt
they were arch conspirators.
'Pm surprised and relieved,
Pierre confessed. 81 didn't think
Bartell would come through"
"Why?" asked Toni.
well, after all, that ten thou
sand was a gift to him. The less he
spends. the less he loses, providing
you don't win out in the end"
Tomi's eyes were wide. How did
you know about the will and the
terms?" she asked.
Pierre shrugged. 81 get around.
he explained. ''The will was pretty
thoroughly discussed by the news
papers, wasn't it?"
81 wouldn't know" unused Toni
thoughtfully. She hadn't read the
western newspapers.
"You don't mind my knowing
this?" Pierre asked, blue eyes
anxiouSly surveying her. 81 want
to be real help to you. I'd like to
see a girl like you win out against
that-against such heavy odds.
he corrected. II think it's sporting
of you to accept the challenge"
Toni warmed to the young man.
Then he too had seen the will as a
challenge.
"Tell me, as a ranaculturist,
what chance have of winning?"
she asked.
Il could say every chance in the
world" he returned. I'm not GO
ing to. You have an even chance,
The farm is run down. You have nc
established markets. You can al
ways sell to the canneries, but moi
at the top market price. as you'll
have to consider the shipping.
"You have one thing in your
favor-the time. However, that
will be of more advantage next
year than this. And / am confident
that can help you materially
First, I'll have to learn more Of
the climatic conditions. I'll 60 Il
the weather bureau tomorrow and
check average daily tempera'
lures"
'But what have temperature.
TO do with frogs?"
Everything. Frogs are fussy, a.
your Old Abe says. If it's too cold
they go down and delay the
spawning season. If it's too hot
they deteriorate so their meat be-
comes Stringy and flabby"
Toni laughed. Don't tell me yot
are going to do something about
the weather"
looming Spirits
DEERE laughed with her. But
Il am. Your pools are shallow, no
like the deep bayous in the Soutt
where the frogs can find the tenn
perature they want can builC
shelters, plant vines and shrubs Il
give them shade and to shade tn
pools.
He talked on Of the changes HI
would make and Toni. listening
rejoiced at having found him. HI
was going TO be well worth hi
salary. And then she wondered a
him accepting a salary as low a
the one she was offering.
why did you take this posi-
tion?" she asked. abruptly.
Pierre smiled at her. 'Becaus
] wanted to see what l could dc
I'm like an architect who finds al
old, well-buil. house and want
TO bring if up to date. My father
farm is definitely his. But then yo1
know the French"
Toni was satisfied. He helpe,
her into her car, then stood, ha
lifted, while she drove away. H
would bunk" with Old Abe afte
the houSekeeper was installed. Un
I'll then he'd remain at the hotel.
And now Tomi's spirits Zoome
and circled with the silver winge
ships. OF course she didn't agre
with Pierre. Allen wouldn't with