The Key West citizen., 1940-04-26

WIFI Oh GIkI1G W1l1Cu puEIGQ IKE
a kitten at sixty miles. tested on
the long road to the Pan Ameri-
can clipper base.
Allen argued against it until
Toni warned him she'd purchase
| it out of her running expenses il
he wouldn't let her have II any
other way. "You won't be sorry"
the salesman assured her when
Bartell again disappeared. The
man who owned It previously
kept it in top condition"
When Allen again appeared an
the scene he was accompanied by
a state police officer. "Just watch
her." he ordered the man in
Tomi's hearing. II don't mind
bailing her out Of Jail, but if she
lands in a hospital she'll have to
stay. I've no influence there"
After the officer had put her
through an oral and action ex-
animation, Toni tucked her IL
cense into her bag and proceeded
about town. She felt gay, absurd
ly happy. She, Toni Toland, had
a car and surely the car had
wings, or was there some festive
spirit abroad in this island city2
She stopped at the telegraph
Office to send pert telegram to
the Tolands, another to A. J.. then
proceeded with her shopping.
When she finally reached the
bridge and the car went spinning
merrily across the draw, she
patted the steering wheel. you're
adorable" she confded. Il think
your first owner must have been
a dear. He left such happy
soothing atmosphere inkhere" :
Toni drew up before her new
home with flourish to find old
Abe staring at her in ludicrous
establishment.
Like it?" she asked.
always have" he answered.
Special make, good engine. han
dies like a baby carriage. Once
Allen let me drive it clear to San
jose"
Louisiana Frogs
"A LLENw sputtered Toni.
1 n "What has he to do with
this carr"
'Tts his. isn't it?" queried Abe
innocent1y.
Toni found herself patting the
wheel. After all, the car couldn't
help to whom it had belonged.
Abe had fires going in both the
fireplace and the kitchen stove.
The walls of the house closed
about Toni like comforting arms.
and across the yard yellow lights
shed a diffused gleam from Bar
tells house.
Toni slept that night, because
she couldn't stay awake. Valiant
ly she propped herself in the big
bed. pillows behind her. lamp on
the marble-top table. pad on her
knee, pencil in hand.
First on the list went the re-
minder: ABE to dentist for ex-
fractions. 8 Am. Must talk to him
before" A few of the questions
she would ask followed. Then,
somehow, she slipped down lit
tie. eyes dreamily contemplating
the cabbage roses on the Wallpa.
per as her thoughts drifted aim
lessly here and there. She had a
new car. It had belonged to Bar
tell. Tomorrow her trunks would
be here with her new clothes. Lily
was planning to marry BartelL
Shed train Little Sweetheart to
jump to her knee. She loved this
new country. =.
Toni reached for the lamp,
turned down the flame, and snug
gled into the pillows. Abe slept in
shack near the pens. The fog
was no longer a thing.
Dear Uncle Time n.y." she
whispered as she closed her eyes,
but her last thought was of Allen
Bartell.
Heavy fog still touched the
windows with gray fingers when
Toni awakened. Looking out, she
could see only the white lip Of
waves and few disconsolate sea-
gulls huddled above the tideline.
And yet she liked it, liked the
cool, damp air, the salty tang.
Old Abe confronted his break
fast like a condemned man fac
ing his last meal.
"Ain't sure steaks are worth
this" he muttered when Toni
hurried him, saying she'd better
talk to him while he could an
Swer.
About marketing" she began.
aHow many legs have we ready
to sell?"
"You sell 'em by the head"
countered Abe. Reckon we got q
thousand head. Sell 'em dressed,
they bring six dollars a dozen: on
the hoof. FIVE. We'd have to sell
'em for five cause we amt got an
ice and packin' plant"
Quickly Toni c m puted the
amount Fine. Well start right
away"
"Where?" queried Abe.
"Where have you been selling
them?" asked Toni.
Amt" came the illuminating
answer.
Toni had one moment of de.
spair, then she rallied. "And why?
There IS demand for them, isn't
there?"
Sure is. but it's this way, Miss
Toni. Markets that use frogs legs
regular on their menus wants to
know they can get them regular,
so they tie up with them markets.
We amt been in fix to deliver
regular, what with changin'
hands and Timothy being sick
and dyins' Besides
ffBesides what?" she urged.
We'll, these here restaurant
fellows, they like Louisiana frogs
best. s'ita'f
"But whyf What have the