The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-04-27

10 Ildh6 tlGE 4GG1 q 4OO1s
do what you want with Il,
Abe" she advised and turned to
Prudhome. 'You must be mis-
taken, I have no father. For whom
are you looking?"
Prudhomme brought out news
paper clipping-"this T. Toland
who advertised for ranaculturist.
I few out from Louisiana because ]
believe am the man for the job"
Toni studied the man anew.
Sleek dark hair, a small black
mustache, intensely blue eyes and
a look of trim efficiency. He was
certainly the antitheSiS OF Old
Abe, in everything from years to
wearing apparel. But, after all
Abe had specified a college man.
He obviously wasn't in any finan-
cial difficulties or he wouldn't
have flown West. That indicated
success in his profession. And she
admired his plan Of appearing In
person. There was something de
rect and businesslike in that.
IT am T. Toland," she told him.
won't you come in? Well talk
things over"
Toni waited to call Abe, for he
must pass on the mans ability.
Then the three of them went into
conference.
Abe approved of the man. The
way the old fellow chuckled when
pleasing answer was given to
his questions made this apparent.
When the two men went down to
look over the farm. Toni went up
to her room to look at herself in
the mirror, then h earring the
horns of approaching cars. hur-
ried to the window
Three carloads of young people
in sports clothes and laden with
hampers of food were unloading
at Bartells cottage. Toni picked
BartelPs long, active figure from
the crowd. So Allen was home,
How long had he been home?
And why hadn't he let her know?
All, there was Lily, looking like
a stick of peppermint candy in a
pink and white striped sailor suit,
Willing And Unwilling
CWIFTLY Toni changed to sheer
- white linen, knotted a scarlet
polka-dotted kerchief about her
throat, and buckled a slim red
belt in place. She picked up a
broad red linen hat, knocked a
fleck of dust from white slippers
and started downstairs.
Bartell stood in the open front
door. "Oh. there you are" he
greeted, "all ready for the party.
l brought the gang over to meet
YOU"
Toni had to smile at aim. He
did look especially fine in white
Stacks and shirt, a friendly smile
on his lips. And then she remern-
bered. This Pierre Prudhomme
hadn't waited to write. Suppose
Allen should decide she didn't
need him. how could she explain
to Prudhomme?
$50 nice of you to let me
know" she murmured and con-
tinued her descent.
How could II" he countered.
Il only got in town this morning
and you have no telephone"
And it didn't occur to you that
! might have previous engage
ment?"
You know you haven't. You
don't know single soul within
two thousand miles of here"
At that moment Pierre Prud-
homme appeared behind Allen in
the open door.
May | present Mr.. Prud-
homme. from New Orleans. My
attorney. Mr.. Bartell."
The introduction slipped glibly
from iomi's lips. Allen wheeled
tc confront Pierre. Toni thought
it must be the dusky hall which
made it appear the two men were
fen cling rather than shaking
hands
Then Allen turned to Toni, q
peculiar expression on his face.
why don't you both join us?" he
asked, and told the guest about
the party.
Toni wondered if Old Abe had
told the gentleman from LOUISE
ana what part Allen played in
her business life. for he became
suddenly affable.>
IF Miss Toland is willing?"
Toni was both willing and un-
willing She wanted to belong to
a group that looked as gay as Al
lens, but she wasn't sure that she
wanted to introduce Mr.. Prud-
homme into that group before she
had settled her business with him
Unable to refuse without an un-
graciousneSs neither man de
served, she consented.
At first Toni thought Aliens
guests were legion. then she dis
covered that this was due to their
ability to be in more than one
place at time. Those she met
lowering over the barbecue pit
were sud denly in the house.
Those in the house were on the
deck by the time she reached
there.
The house. of which Allen was
proud, was really a one room
apartment. Bunks were built into
the walls. A compact kitchen app
peared by merely opening two
doors A sh-button released ta-,
BILE and chairs.
There was a huge fireplace for
driftwood and, grouped around it
were divan and deep, mannish-
looking chairs. Toni had never
seen so many windows. Two
opened onto the deck where glass
windbreaks gave them view to
the bay and the long line of the
coast range.