The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-04-29

Like q I1OLIlGI, SuRp4AG0 4OAIAAS
who had softened at his evidence
of concern, then WINGED as he'd
attributed it to promise given
her great-uncle.
"Are you trying to tell me you
suspect Pierre of dire motives"
she asked.
mo. After all, we do belong to
the same fraternity. He wouldn't
have let me in on that if he couldn't
stand having his past record
checked. But" he looked at Toni
with a boyish grin-"to break
down and admit the truth, I'd
planned on taking you myself"
Toni didn't understand the sud-
den rage which shook her. Your
ne1D car will carry three, won't
it?" she asked. "And without
rnussing either Lily's or my frock."
Bartell' stood up abruptly. 1--we
been waiting for that, and / be-
lieve will ask Lily. She doesn't
scratch when you try to be nice to
her"
He was gone suddenly, the door
banging behind him. Tomi'S door
also banged as she went in to don
a house dress, preparatory to fix-
ing Abe's dinner.
Toni dressed for the dance with
unusual care. She reveled in dom
ming clothes without the feminine
members of the Toland family sit
ting r o9u nd. criticizing every
move. She also missed their caus-
tic remarks; wondered why they
didn't write and if they were never
going to. q
Slipping into a pale yellow
frock, its only claim to distinction
being its lines and the fat white
jonquils appliqued to the shoulder
and cascading down the full skirt,
she thought it bit ridiculous to
take such care. After all, she was
dining and dancing with a man
she expected to hire. Wouldn't
Great aunt Hannah throw fit at
such democracy IN Toland?
Angry Heart
uER prospective mployee
L L called in cab at the appoint
ed hour. He looked distinguished
in his dinner clothes.
you have French Woman'S
flair for the right ensemble" he
complimented.
The Alameda, where the dinner
dance was to be held, was the am
tithesis of the hotels Toni had
known 1t was a low, Spanish
structure, rambling in a half moon
about a velvet lawn studded with
palms and magnolias. Inside. it
was built about glassed patio
where fountain and pool ridi-
culed the idea of its being conn
meicial institution.
Most of the crowd had gathered,
but Toni was there in time to see
Lily's triumphant arrival. She
chung to Aliens arm "as though
she were afraid someone would
snatch him from under" scoffed
Toni.
They dined, and they danced.
Pierre-she might as well call him
that; everyone else seemed to-
danced perfectly. She felt she
could dance with him forever, give
herself up to the Joy of rhythm
and music.
She danced with others, then,
somehow. found. Bartell pushing
them away
She couldn't criticize his dane
ing, that is his footwork. but there
was som ething wrong. She
couldn't hear the music for the
thudding of her angry heart
Angry. because she must go the
way he directed. And she was con-
fusingly aware of his arms, of the
lazy, teasing smile he sent down
when she dared to look up.
Sometimes she was afraid the
music would never stop. And
sometimes she was afraid it would
stop too soon. And then it did, and
Bartell. escorting her back to the
table, thanked Prudhomme, for
the dance
"The-the conceited prig," she
murmured And, to Pierre's atten-
tive, Il beg your pardon" she
said: MIR. Bartell seems so very
sure of himself"
But of course" agreed Prud-
homme, with exaggerated nom.
chalance. Il am told he is the most
successful young attorney in this
community; specializes in estates,
and in the drawing of wills. That
Miss Toland," he sent her quizZi-
cal glance, should make you feel
very secure"
It made her feel very insecure.
TomiS worries descended in
cloud, cutting her off from the
gayety of the party. When Bartell.
a protesting Lily clinging to him.
paused at their table to say good
night, she was sure he was up to
some mischief directed at her.
Lily's words confirmed her fear.
The little blonde pouted prettily
at Prudhomme. ALLEN has some
silly old business to attend to. so
| have to go home"
Lily had made this a challenge
to Prudhomme, but he didn't &C.
cept it. He merely bowed and eX-
pressed his sympathy.
Toni found the party increas-
ingly drab. She wondered if she
had taken cold. Something caused
her to feel depressed when she
should be happy. and when Prud-
homme expressed fear that she
was tired and suggested he take
her home. she accepted with alac-
rity
She remained silent as their cab
sped down tree-lined venues
where street lights seemed strung
like fat Chinese lanterns, the lacy
branches of pepper trees silhou-
cited against them.
Il should discuss business with
you" she offered as they crossed