The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-04-17
Chapter Nine
Lunch With The Boss

Luncn w lth he BOSS
I'm afraid" David remembered
L saying. "that the pipes which
used to bring the water down
from the spring are all rusty and
clogged, But I'll see what can
do"
David now turned an invoice
sheet and went on with his check
ing. Not bad idea, having a place
to swim when the hot weather
set in. But like everything else,
money was the chief issue. II
would probably take quite a sum
to put the pool in order.
He heard football behind him.
and turned to seq Mr.. Powers.
Hello, David" the lumberman
greeted That's a beautiful lot of
pine we're getting off in this ship
ment." -'--....-.s-.~
Yes. SIR" said David. ut is.
Smells good. too. doesn't it?"
Mr.. Powers breathed deeply
Nothing more fragrant than the
odor of clean ;hlnber,'' he said.
And then: By the way, I've just
gotten hold Of a very good book
on reforestation. | thought you
might like to read It, since our
talk the other day about the time
when all the trees would be
felled"
Thanks" said David. Il would
like to read it." He grinned. Il had
a dream the other night, in which
| was wandering through huge
tract of land on which was moth
ing but endless tree-stumps. And
all at once | seemed to hear a
voice saying. Please plant new
tree every time you cut down one
of us. 1t sure got lie to thinking.
I've seen just such tract OF
land in reality" Mr.. Powers said
cts a pretty tragic-looking sight
tell you, come on up to the house
to lunch with me! I'll give you the
book, and you can have look al
the rejuvenated tennis court
MARCOS been getting it in shape
Maybe YOU two can get in a sci
or two"
Are you sure it won't inter
fere with Margo's plans?" Davlo
asked. Having guest for lunch
on such short notice."
Certainly not" said MIR. Pow
ers Bat I'll 60 telephone her thai
I'm bringing you with me
"AiI right" said David Thanks
would like to see that book -+bu
reckon my tennis is pretty rusty
| haven't played for a mighty
long time"
A short time later he was If
the lumber plant Office He hac
Just begun a typed tabulation n
the shipment of lumber he has
been checking out in the yard
when the telephone rang.
"For you. David" said someone
who answered it,
Thanks" said David. He walked
over and took the receiver. "Hel'
To-" he said.
David. this is Polly I'm calling
you from the tearoom. Could yol
come here for your lunch today
1 want to talk to you for a few
minutes"
David was on the verge of say.
ing he would be there. when hi
remembered Mr.. Powers invita-
ton.
Gosh. honey" he said. "rn
sorry. Mr.. Powers has asked mt
to go up to his house for lunch.
"Ohi" said Polly.
"He's got book on reforesta'
ton he wants me 20 read" Davic
went on We're both interested
in that sort of thing, you know.
eyes. I know" said Polly Anc
then; "All right; what I've got t.
talk over will keep" !
Couldn't | come over to you,
place this evening" David asked
"Of course" said Polly. "unlesi
Mango Powers dates yeu up"
Tonight At Eight
THAT, David thought, didn'
L sound a bit like Polly This
slight tinge of sarcasm he detect
ed in her remark wasn't charac.
teristic of Polly-not bit.
There's no danger Of that" HI
said. Girls like Mango don't dat
up STnalltown guys like me"
Mo-" Again that tinge of sar
casm. I'm afraid you don't know
vey much about women. But II
look for you around eight"
"rll be there" David assured
Can't you tell me now what's OF
your mind-and then discuss il IL
detail this evening""
I'D rather not" said Polly
Not over the telephone"
"Okay. then Tonight at eight
David hung up the receiver AM
went back 70 his tipping. Some
thing was bothering Polly. II
could tell BY the tone Of her voice
Il was probably the same thin
that had beer bothering her tn
other evening eat at the Inn. ]
worried hInls He &ished that h
hadn't told Mr.. lowers that b
would 20 I'D 10 the house for hi
lunch hour He would mucl
rather lunch az the tearoora. an
find out what was on Polly
mind He waS even tempted :
break the engagement. ask MI
Powers Il he could make IL som
other dsy And yet he didn't Xix
-. DO this. After all. Mr.. Power