The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-07
Chapter 19
Picnic For Two

that thought. Allen wasn't going
to have the farm.
She slept that night, slept to
make up for the twelve nights she
had been away. And in the morn
ing she surveyed her books
Il believe I'm going to make
it" she said aloud, IF things will
just keep up. We have the frogs,
if we can find enough buyers -. 4.
and if they keep on increasing in
number as they have this last
month, | can make that black army
swallow the red.
ABE" she called from the win
dow. exactly tUhen do the frogs
go DOWN."
Abe ground stalk Of bergamot
between his teeth. Depends" he
answered. ION the weather I've
seen them down, come the first of
October and I've seen them up.
come Christmas"
But, Abe, this year - what
about the weather this year?"
"Oniy newcomers and DANCED
fools predict weather in Califor-
MIA and | amt a newcomer and
I'm DANCED if I'm goin' to be a
DANCED fool"
Toni laughed helplessly. well,
If you have any influence with
Little Sweetheart, tell her TO keep
her gang top side until Christmas.
will you?"
Toni was happy, joyously hap
by. She wanted to be in the house,
the farm and the garden all at the
same time. She was in the garden
when Allen Barteil found her.
Startled, she waited. the smile
with which she had greeted rose
of her own planting still on her
lips.
He came towards her with both
hands outstretched and, involun-
tarily, she lifted hers. He glanced
at them, and his face, which had
been Swallowed, frightened.
1--we been hearing fine things
about you" he told her, "and also
that you've been working hard
enough TO rate holiday. The
gangs coming over and have
new speed boat. How would you
like to try if out with me while we
wait for Lily to buy something
to match it?"
Toni a u G h e d. Lily always
bought clothes to match car, boat
or background.
I'D love it," she admitted. She
1-ssfa lfIro AIlav, 4k-se rn0r1S-rT 10
cause she wasn't afraid of him.
Then get into something warm.
Well" he added, seeing her frown,
Garry something warm. It's liable
TO be colo and damp on the wa
ter"
Toni looked up at the sun, still
a little pallid as il waited for the
fog to hurry back to its waiting
post over the ocean, then sped in
to the house to change.
Her scarlet bathing suit was
donned, and over this went a dark
blue knit suit, blouse and slacks, a
knit cap of dark blue and scarlet,
scarlet socks and Del Monte sneak
ers of dark blue, laced with scarlet.
II wondered if / were never 60
ing to get a chance to wear this, !"
she told the watchful house
keeper.
you look like something cut
out of a magazine cover" Mrs
Dougherty told her.
Allen. in white duck and a
heavy white wool pull-over was
awaiting her. At the end of his
little pier the Speed-boat danced
on the waves. Toni looked at it
and stifled remark. Lily would
look atrocious in that mahogany
shade, though her hair would
match the brass trimming.
First, before we set foot in the
boat, you must promise me some
thing" Allen said gravely.
Forget The Farm
TONI started to draw back.
From the moment you leave
this pier until you return you're to
forget about the farm. Forget
there is such a thing as a frog, OF
a will, or million duties pressing
down on your shoulders. Prom
ise?"
Toni gave him a radiant smile
81 do" she answered.
And, you must promise that
you viii forget, for that same
duration Of time. that have any
thing TO do with that will, that !
am or ever was an attorney"
"Are your" asked Toni pertly.
There are times when I queS-
ton IT," admitted Bartell But
seriously. have complete faith in
your word of honor. / want you
to give me your word that you viii
look upon me as-well. any fellow
you'd meet socially, will you
Tomb"
Toni looked up and looked
away. There were no dancing
lights in Allen Bartelrs eyes. They
were as serious as Pierre's had
ever been.
She thrust out her hand. "All
right, promise" she agreed. 81
/ think l." she stifled the words,
that she would like him If ne were
not Timothy Toland's attorney.
4Yes7" prompted Bartell.
Il think I'd enjoy you better Il
you were a-piano tuner"
My word" breathed Allie n
Now have to take piano tuning.
Come on"
Hand in hand they raced to the
end OF the pier. Jumped into the
boat There was the roar OF the