The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-22
Chapter 80
Through With Women


right dizzy" he complained. "what
with Little Sweetheart poppin' up
everytime / bring down a net"
Toni nodded in understanding.
Little Sweetheart was a mascot.
"Dog-gone your spotted hide"
walled Abe. as he brought her in
by mistake. IF you don't keep out
from under my net you're a goln'
TO winter in somebody's stomach"
Toni shook with silent laugh
ter. Little Sweetheart was plump
ed into the water only to come up
on lily pad right under the next
strike of the net. Abe reversed the
pole and showed her off. He showed
too hard; reached too far.
Toni heard screech and a
splash. She turned but saw moth
ing. Then she noticed Abe's hat
floating on the water. A moment
later Abe's head appeared. Walrus
mustache dripping with mud. Sc
curely ensconced on his bald pate
sat Little Sweetheart. eyes bulg-
ing no more than those Of Old
Abe.
Abel" gasped Toni. Whats
the natter"
Natter" he sputtered in
queer tone. Doctor Smiths teeth
-. / left 'em on the bottom"
It was more than Toni could
stand. She had ludicrouS vision
of the pearly white Iplates gnaw-
ing lily roots or biting the mud,
and she started to laugh. She
laughed until the tears streamed
down her face and her limbs grew
weak. She laughed. even as she
reached hand to her caretaker.
II happened then. She slipped.
She gave one narrowing scream
which stopped abruptly. muf1ed
By the thrush of muddy waters.
Down. down she went. then up.
and when she reached the surface.
footsteps were pounding down the
path from the house. Into the pen
came Allen Bartell: a handsome
immaculate Allen. in top hat.
white tie and tails.
Top hat and tails were thrown
to the ground and Allen kneeled
on the edge of the pool and held
a succoring hand to Toni.
Gratefully she accepted it; then
she looked up.
Bartell's chin was steady; his
mouth was grim. An, but his eyes
they danced like the waters of
the bay at sunrise. And the front
of his white dress shirt Quivered
convulsively. Allen Bartell was on
the verge of more than the pool:
he was on the verge of hysterical
laughter.
Toni was satisfied with his
nearness to the pool. She thought
of Lily's party. She thought of the
reason for Lily's party Il was too
much. She gave the rescuing hand
a quick. forceful ierk-and there
were three in the frog pond.
Or were there?
Allen Bartell was down for
long time and when he came up
he looked as though he had spent
the time gathering tulles. A
wreath of them stood upright on
his head Water hyaCinths draped
their fuzzy. film clogged roots
over his shoulders. One eye was
black with mud. the other was
black with anger.
Shut Up
you little devil" He made
leap in her direction. caught
his foot in a lily root. and went
down again.
TOM scrambled up the edge of
the pond and collapsed on the
edge TO howl with laughter NeUer
had she seen anything as satisfy
ingly funny
Abe and Bartell rescued each
other. Through a sliding process
of mutual support they reached
shore. Old Abe shaking his head
mournfully at Toni.
Now you done it." he accused.
Lost your farm. Won't get an
other frog out of here"
Tomis laughter stopped. why
not?" she demanded.
bad enough us bein' in the
pond. but Allen was born in No
Vember. Frogs don't like Novem-
Der folk. Frogs is. fussy!"
Toni faced defeat and loved it.
II she had to lose the farm, she
was losing it with laugh.
Stop that grinr"
Toni. removing her sodden
boots. looked up at the roar of
anger.
''Oh. go look in a mirror" she
giggled.
"Shut up" Bartell stood over
her.
But Toni jumped up and her
stockinged feet went flying out OF
the pen and towards the house.
TRY to make me" she called back
over her shoulder.
He did. He caught up with her.
wheeled her around with crush
ing grip of her shoulders. then
shook her until she was dizzy.
I've listened to you wisecrack
until I'm tired of it. Now you're
going to listen.
ITO your wisecracks?" she Of
fered.
I'm sick of you, understand?
I'm going to tell you just what
! think Of you. and when | get
through / want you to 60 in and
get on your knees before Timothy
Toland's portrait. / thought old