The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-05-02
Chapter Is
Trial

l. nagerie. Even when driving
back from the apartment Dotty
was deserving, the car crammed
with clothes, she suddenly found
the dog around her neck, the cat
climbing one arm and the goldfish
feebly Tapping on the floor, she
didn't mind. A car had stopped
suddenly before them. She had
damned on her brakes.
The fish restored to the portion
of water remaining in the bowl
the dog and cat under control, they
proceeded, laughing Historically.
Toni overheard Mrs. Daugher-
tvs brief encounter with Bartell
She was in the little bedroom she
had turned into an Office. There,
buSily engaged in working out a
bookkeeping system for the farm,
she heard and recognized his foot
steps on the porch, then started at
his explosive: 'Dottyl What are
you doing here?"
Toni laid her book aside and
smiled.
What business is it of yours"
asked Mrs. Dougherty. But to
keep you quiet, I'm housekeeper."
"Oh," moaned Bartell, and a
chair creaked as he sank into it.
"You, of all persons. Why can't
you stay put? Gladys is getting
gray-haired with worry. Besides
you're not the person for this
place. Now quit on some pretext
or I'll tell Miss Toland things about
you that will make her want to run
you off,"
For inStance?"
"Oh - well, l don't know. You
would complicate things"
Mrs. Dougherty's round chuckle
sounded. Il know. You're afraid
I'll tell her the truth, aren't you?
Well, / won't, not as long as you
behave. But try to have me fired
and I'll let down my hair. short as
it is"
Toni quivered with delight, and
with apprehension. But she heard
no more. Bartell had walked Dotty
to the veranda and their voices
were low.
When Dotty returned she busted
Tomi's Office with unnecessary
thoroughness.
Il heard part of your converse
ton" Toni ventured. Il wish
you'd tell me what you know that
Bartell is afraid you'll tell me"
"Humph!" snorted Mrs. Dough-
erty. Look at the dust in this rug.
Pm going to turn this house upside
down. You'll know when it's time.
Don't worry, I'll look after you.
Young whipper-snapper, some Of
these days I'm going to forget my
self and turn him over my knee
again."
Mrs. Dougherty did turn the
house upsid e down, but when
everything was back in pla e.
Toni marveled. BY sheer dint of
persuasion, the houSekeeper had
caused Old Abe, Pierre and Allen
to paint the woodwork cream. $50
we can see when it's dirty"
When they refused to paper the
living room, Tomi'S room, and her
own. she had shamed them into it
by starting the job herself.
Toni, working nearby, and
watching, laughed inwardly at the
constant warfare between Allen
and Pierre. The huge purple roses
on the living room wall had given
way to indistinct plaid, but some
of the seams didn't match because
Allen had deereed his should 60
one way, and Pierre decreed an
other.
And then, on her birthday morn
ing, Toni awakened to a peaceful
world. Her one personal extrava-
gance had been the raZing of the
wall between her bedroom and the
next room. Now the rising sun
Streamed in on a scene of order
and beauty. The walls were soft
green to Offset the glare Of the sun;
ruffied curtains of cream and rose
amber repeated their color in eush-,
ions, spreads, pillows and dress
ing-table fiounce.
No Sign OF Life
TONI looked a bit incongruotls
L as she dressed in breeches, high
boots and mannish shirt. Pierre
was going after major market in
Sacramento that day. and she must
help on the farm.
The frogs were ready TO spawn.
With Abe, she must lift the pairs
from their old pens and carry them
to the new pools, now filed with
silt. water lilies, hyacinthS, water
creSs. and odd logs and stuInpS set
in the water; solids to which the
eggs would adhere.
Toni allowed herself a few mo-
ments of heartache. A year ago she
had come down to breakfast to find
presents piled beside her plate, and
GFeat-aunt Hannah had ordered
hot biscuits and honey as special
feature of celebration.
Great aunt Hannah had evil
IDENTIFY forgotten the day. this year.
The others didn't know it was her
birthday.
Then, outside, she forgot to feel
sad. One couldn't on such a morn
ing. The irises were stalks of royal
purple. snow white. pale blue. and
edging them were rows Of daffo-
dis. A single rose, white petaled,
pink hearted. had braved the April
weather.
At first Abe worked beside her.
He had his teeth now and was ire
mendously proud OF them.
And then Toni realized Abe was
no longer there. She called and
there was no answer. A few mo-
mentS later she went to the house.
Everything was in perfect order.
But there was no sign Of life.
Puzzled. Toni went on 10 her Of
ice, to place an item in her daily
cash book. It wasn't there. Startled
she hurried through her desk to