The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-09

Dorothy Dougherty uttered q
pious phrase, appropriate to the
day, and sank into the nearest
chair.
But Toni raced down the stairs,
out to the gate, and through the
gate down the road.
"Aunt HannahI" she caroled.
ffDear, dear Aunt Hannah"
The Queen Mary hat which rode
the high pompadour went side
ways under Tomfs onslaught.
'Must you always Ieap?" de-
manded Miss Toland.
"Of course" laughed Toni. "Oh,
Agatha, Amanda, Parilla. May
hello. And Darlington. Austin,
Major, HaroldI" She screamed
the last word, for Harold. May
Toland- Carrington's nine-year-old
son, called her to attention with a
vicious pinch.
I'm so happy" Toni dubbed.
She was. The farm was going to
be hers, and now the family had
forgiven her.
They proceeded towards the
house, fiaying her with remarks.
you look like a picked chick
en-" condemned Great-aunt Han
nah.
Cant you afford to have your
house painted?" inquired Austin.
"And why must you live so
far from transportation" whined
Agatha, limping.
Il don't think slippers like that
appropriate for country roads" "
shifted Parilla.
Toni laughed happily. The old
Stiles. Where had they found new
clothes that looked so exactly like
the ones they had started buying
back in 1898? And didn't they
know there were other colors than
brown and gray?"
4 Was Here First
CHE ushered them through the
- gate, thankful the garden was
in such riotous bloom, up the path,
grateful that Abe had moved the
lawn early that morning, and into
the house, confident no one could
find a Speck of dirt.
In the living room they sat and
became silent. Harold had diSap-
peared. Great-aunt Hannah looked
around, then said:
Your Great uncle Timothy's
will states that no relative may
visit you more than once a year,
or remain longer than twenty
four hours at visit. Therefore, /
decided we should all come to-
gether to spend the allotted time"
Toni gasped. "Oh, lovely" and
INDUCED in mental gymnastics.
How would she sleep fourteen
people? Had she enough groceries
to feed them? Why must there be
Sunday closing law affecting
food stores?
Toni introduced a grim and dis
approving Mrs. Dougherty who
promptly counted noses and
sighed. Then Toni was engulfed
in talk.
She listened avidly. Never had
there been such a trip, They had
travelled on a beautiful new
streamlined train. Such comfort,
such food, such scenery.
Toni smiled. Heretofore the
family had thought the continent
started at New York City and
ended at Chicago. The girls hadn't
been to New York since Captain
Tom embarked for France. They
had visited him at Garden City.
Toni assigned them to rooms as
best she could. She would bring
their beds from the shed where
she had had the extra ones stored.
Then. while they toured house
and grounds. she hurried to the
kitchen to help the silent Dotty
prepare dinner.
A high. shrill screech broke the
Sabbath Stiffness. Toni rushed to
the front porch to see Old Abe
fishing Harold out of the goldfish
| pond. He applied a sharp cuff to
| the boys ear
"That'n learn you to catch
Tomi's pets. you little heather"
Get off of this propertyI" de-
manded the voice of Great-aunt
Hannah and she sailed into view.
Get off yourself" spat Abe.
Who do you think you are. any,
how?"
Il" proclaimed the woman, "am
Hannah Tolapdl"
We'll, I'm Old Abe" he pro-
claimed in return. And / was
here first"
Toni sped to the rescue. She
soothed Abe and soothed her aunt.
then sent Harold in to don dry
clothing.
sit down." ordered Great-aunt
/ Hannah.
Toni sat on the bench she had
occupied earlier that morning.
81 Just want to tell you, ] forbid
you marrying Allen BartelL"
Toni wondered il she were GO
ing into mysteries. In a moment
she was going to shrek with
laughter. Desperately she con-
trolled herself. Yes. Aunt Han
nah, she murmured.
THAT Is all Now I viii 20 TO
my room New stays" she ex-
planned.
| Toni looked at her aunt and
something akin to pity welled up.
The poor old honey. She was
tired. Her eyes were bloodshot
She had probably absorbed every
inch of scenery as long as there
was daylight Her skin was habby
with WEAKNESS, heavily lined.
i Toni guided her UP to her own
room. Helped her into q brown
| quilted robe. pulled the blinds and
raced back to Dotty in time 70
hear a wild suuawking from the
chicken yard. followed by a howl
| OF rage.