The Key West Citizen Newspaper, September 17, 1947, Page 3

Chapter 1 HE orchestra eased into sa its theme song, an odd bit called Piano Madness, the tune spotting Bruce Crane pestoening| in his own incredible style at the piano. The throng, wedged deep around the orchestra dais at one end of the ballroom, whistled and cried for more in a prolonged ovation. : Finally, in spite of the howled ; protests, the members of Homer} regg’s band got their instru- ments cased. Forming a protective cirele around Bruce Crane, and the chanteuse, Gail Lake, they forced a path through the mob of squealing fans to their automo- biles in the parking lot. Once out, of the parking lot, all of them ex- | cépt Austin Hammond, the tenor, went speeding gaily out Cahuenga Boulevard. They were headed for | § the San Fernando, and for the snack which Antoinette Crane had prepared for them. Bruce, with Gail at his side, led | the pack of sleek convertibles. As he swung in a wide arc through the gateway in the stone wall) {x that led to his low, white-washed | 3 brick ranchhouse, he gave three |’ short blasts of the horn. The lights in the entrance to the house went up: and Bruce was first to reach the open door- way where Antoinette Crane T’nette’s gown was flaming red, had no shoulder-straps and very little back. stood ho aes “Happy?” T’nette whispered as/sweet confusion she motioned Bruce kissed_ her. them into the brilliantly lighted “Closing night was a success,” | house. he said indifferently. And then h's “Your party” she said, wishing indifference dissolved into sur-: at the same tinie she could feel at prise as he noticed T’nette’s| home with tnese people just once, —_ The dress was flaming red.| “is waiting in ‘the dining room.” ad mo shoulder-straps and very|She tried io watch their airy little back. ‘ mood. “With purple ice cre>m and T’nette laughed softly: “It being} pink cake and—-and cverything the beginning of our first whole | else.” week of evenings together for} “What a ghastly combination,” ears, I wanted to start out look-|Gail said and Swent on past ing like a—a gay lady of pleas- | T’nette. ure.” The men followed Gail. Cf Somebody started whistling and | course, T’nette bad been joking | Gail Lake said: “It’s a stunning gown. You should go on tour with us—as a sort of ornamental added attrac- | tion, darling.” — Bruce gave Gail a doubtful eve: She had managed to imply that there was something almost in- decent about T’nette’s dress. “Harvest time for the claws again, Gail,” Homer Gregg said. allantly he kissed T’nette’s hand in a touchingly sincere gesture. “You’re the only genuine lady I know, Mrs. C. And the dress—” His usually hard, beady eyes soft- ened. “Nobody,” he concluded, “nobody but a lady could get by j L with it.” The phonograph went into action, With so much attention focussed | blatant in the night air. T’nette’s upon her, T’nette blushed. In’ heart sank. When the boys went about the purple ice cream. She end Mes. J.yons, the housekeeper, had careiully prepared for each member of the band his favorite cish; and the dining room table did look be2utiful. But T’nette made no rerly to Gail’s remark. Instead, she left the group and went to the nurs- to look in on Julie, just to be certain the ‘ittle girl was sleep- ing soundly. Then, expecting to find everybody in the dining room, she. hurried back. But it was empty. A From the en, across the patio, came the raucous laughter that made up the spirit of the band. THE KEY WEST CITIZEN MUSIC OR MEDICINE By ‘Frank Riordan AP Newsfectures into one of those sessions with the phonograph, they all. got strange unseeing expressions on their faces; an nette ‘never knew quite how to behave. Angrily she crossed the patio. As she entered the den eget. 04 - pile of new recordings on* oor. “Look,” she said loudly. “Your 4 anes ‘|party will get cold. You—” |- Nobody heard her, 42 Just then Mrs, Lyons shuffled awkwardly in, She bent close to T’nette’s ear, “It’s Mr. Austin Hammond,” Mrs. Lyons whispered, “He says something terrible is happening. He’s on the telephone.” ae, Quick fear hurried. T’netté’s nce as she left the room. Only Gail, who was smoldering in her usual discontent in the bar- rel chair by the fireplace ‘saw T’nette leave. And only Gail’s sharp ears caught the une hum of an automobile leavi f grounds a few minutes later. . Gail’s mental’ eyebrows lifted. T’nette wasn’t the night-hum- mingbird sort. Or was she? _Homer Gregg had put a new disc on the turntable. The record-_— ing was one of Bruce’s special- ties: an extremely — stylistic. bit from the Emperor which had a the heppies in the country in'a dither. : : Homer, standing in critical ‘at- tention by the fireplace, and feel- ing that he had held the men | down to a solid stretch of. busi- ness, groaned oe: . “It will pay all of our. income taxes.” His voice took’ onh.a Sa@r- donic shade. “Even the feols who scream at our, what they c ‘butchery’ of the classics—evé they will buy it so they can sym- pathize with Beethoven.” .°* gee felt embarrassed; and: he said: roy “Give that phonograph to, the Good Will.” His eyes caught, sight . of the ‘clock. “Good Lord!” ‘he - said, swinging off the couch’ onto his fee, “T’nette’s rty. Let’s eat.” veo oven He led the way.to the d room, expecting .to find T’ é fussing about the table. But’ room was dark. owes “Where,” he asked, “has our hostess gon:?” ne “T’nette left the recital] an hour ago,” Gail said, : ra Bruce forced a smile. “Tll:go hunt for our unmusical friénd,” Before Gaii had a chance to say that T’nette had gone off in. automobile, the telephone rf out in the pantry adjoi tH dining room. : (To be continued) | (Copyright i947 by Frank Riordan) « * —— CO ee ee eee A ee EN oO: A RD Florida P-T. A. To Convene In St. Petersburg TAMPA, Sept. 17 (FNS).—Re-| NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 17. (FNS) minding Florida Congress of Par- —A-new streamlined train will |! ents and Teachers members that the annual convention of the or- ganization will be held in St. Petersburg, November 4-6, Mrs. J. Floyd Griffin, Tampa, presi- dent, urged that resolutions in- tended for consideration at this convention be submitted in ad- vance so that proper time will be allowed for study by the Resolu- tions Committee. Mrs. Griffin stated that any proposed resolutions must be in the hands of the committee well in advance of the meeting since ne resolutions will be received during the convention. She points out that since these resolutions, if adopted, become the basis for action for the en- suing year by more than 600 PTAs in Florida, it is essential that time be allowed for careful study. Mrs. Dora Skipper, preliminary meeting on Monday, November 3. The Executive Committee will also meet on this date. President Griffin has also call- ed foy a meeting of the directors ot the ten PTA regions in the state to discuss a reorganization of the regional set-up. Attending this session will be Mrs. E. C. Rogers, Pensacola; Mrs. N. B.. Bevis, Greensboro; Mrs. Ellis Putnall, Mayo; Mrs. Leon Forbes, Jacksonville; Mrs. H. A. Owen, Palatka; Mrs. Frank M. Pumphrey, Daytona Beach; Mrs. S. E. Horne, Tampa: Mrs. W. Gwynn Foxx, Sarasota; Mrs. Henry Pacetti, Lake Worth, anc Mrs. C. B. Tutan, Miami. This group as well as the committecs will make a report to the full Board of Managers on Tuesday, November 4. A ppl y To Wed Applications for marriage li- censes were filed yesterday with | County Judge Raymond R. Lord, | by, Clarence S. Singleton, 24, of | the Tradewinds Club, and Olga G. Hernandez, 25, of 1018 White | street: by Aibert F. Puckett, Jr., 40, and Inez V. Joy, 31, both of 620 Ashe street; and by Charles! 1206 Pine street, | and Edwina M. Hensen, 27, 517; B. Milord, 26, Margaret street. ) j | ' i | { { Streamlined [LAUGH AWHILE © 6 99 Income “All Net” ee | No one in the courtroom. seem- ‘ed to know just what the case was about. The lawyers’ them- ‘selves were mixed up. Then’ an important witness . was. presently asked to tell the’ court the total of his gross: income. He refus¢d; Train To Join “Silver Fleet” join the “Silver Fleet” of .the! « i oo ; ajilrop oe > ae — Seaboard Air Line Railrozd Com the counsel appealed. to.» the pany December 12 for travel be- judge “You; must=, answer. the tween Néw York and both: coasts “°° 77. ,= GEE, 4 : of Florida, it was announced last iquestion,” said the judge stern week by C. E. Bell, passenger ; ; : traffic manager of the road. The witness fidgeted about, Traversing the same route as |@nd then burst out: “But.... . the “Silver Meteor,” the new | but, your honor, I have no-grtpss . . : . ‘9 > ! ’ ic ¢ (at 7 srain will provide one-night-out |mcome! I’m a fisherman, and’ it is service between New York, Phil- jall net!” Tallahas- see, second vice president of the ! Florida Congress, is chairman of ; the committee and has called a- SE A RS le te a AN. CCT CG A LE LL LLL: ELL: ELC: adelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, the Carolinas | and Miami-St. Petersburg, Flor- A person with blue eyes does ‘not see colors in the same hues ida. The new. streamliner will;as does a person with brown leave New York each morning. | eyes. The “Silver Meteor” departs each | afternoon. ‘less why the name submitted is A contest will be announced most appropriate. Neither rail- shortly to select a suitable name road employes nor employes of for the streamliner. Five hun-ithe Pullman Company are elig- dred dollars will be awarded to ‘ible for the contest. Judges will f . . the person choosing an acceptable {be Seaboard Air Line officials name and stating in 10 words or'in Norfolk, Virginia. | | A ET Real ICE is Gua-2atead PUKi. Fiace You Refrigeration on @ REAL ICE BASIS and ‘You Will Get GUARANTEED Reizigeration Service REAL ICE 2 | Thompson Enterprises, Ine. ‘fealthy and Safe (ICE DIVISION) KEY TR WEST. FLA. I EN A AE ETRE ALT a A DES SE ST PHONE NO. 8