The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-16
Chapter IS
A Disturbing Return

"uOWD you come to be here in
! ! the first placer" asked Sheriff
Zeke Farley,
Marion steadied herself . meet
this question she had been dread
ing.
my father and I were on a
camping trip" she began, agree
ably surprised to find herself
speaking so easily and naturally.
He had to go back for week or so
on business, and I decided to wait
for him here"
"All alone?" the sheriff exclaim-
ed. you weren't afraid?"
I'm never afraid in the noun
taifsP Marion smiled family at
him. fAs it happened, it was lucky
stayed Ted Gaynor wouldn't be
alive today, unless someone had
taken care of him"
Reckon that may turn out to be
wasted effort" Zeke Farley COM
mented grimly. "But that's neither
here nor there. What are you aim
ing to do now?"
Marion looked at him with wide
eyed surprise that he should ask
such question.
why, wait here until my father
comes back" she answered.
What's your fathers manner"
the sheriff asked abruptly.
Chris Howell, and we're from
MisSoula. I'm Marion Howell"
Chris Howell" Zeke Farley re-
peated the name rehectively.
Strikes me I've heard something
about Chris Howell, and just lately,
too"
Marion paused a moment, to be
sure her voice was under control.
What rumors had he heard? And
how much truth was there in
them?
you may have heard that he's
been sick, she said finally. That's
one OF the reasons we came up
here, to give him a complete rest.
He'd seen this old deserted shack
once, and always had notion that
he'd like to camp out here some
time"
Maybe that was It." the sheriff
agreed. It'll come back to me
later" He rubbed his chin in q per-
picked fashion as he gazed at Mar
ion i reckon there's nothing can
do about you, If you're hell bent to
stay here" he said at last. "But you
must let me know when you leave.
You ] be wanted as witness at the
trial."
I'm ready to do anything / can, !"
Marion promised. Sim convinced
this charge against Ted Gaynor is
all a terrible mistake. That mans
no murderer"
He sure has way with the
women. all right" Zeke Farley
commented. That's what Kay
Crandon says"
ooh, you've seen her, then?"
Marion asked with eager curiosity.
Sure I've seen her. II was her
Dads gun, that she'd given to Gay
nor, that the killing was done with.
But even in face of that, she's sure
he's innocent. Or was, when Il
talked with her, at least. Seems
like she's changed her mind,
thought"
Zeke Farley stopped down and
picked up his hat, preparatory to
joining the others outside. Then he
paused, as sudden thought struck
him.
Z do you kaow Kay?n
Marion shook her head. "Ted
Gaynor told me about her. I'd like
to meet her some time"
4 She's an AL girl" Zeke Farley
answered. "And smart, too. don't
know Just how she found out Gay
nor was here. but she sure did CUT
ter and me good turn when she
tipped US of.
whats THAR" Marion asked In
Mortified amazement. KAY Gran
don tipped you Off"
Sure she did. Or rather, she got
q friend of hers to do il" Zeke Far
ley pulled open the door as he
spoke. and before Marion could saw
anything more. he had waved his
hat to her, and stepped out to join
the others.
Thoughts About Kay
WITH a dizzy sense Of having
w passed through a nightmare Of
unreality, Marion held on to the
door frame of the shack and
watched Zeke Farley and his men
ride off.
Sam Cutter had left with his
posse and Ted, while she and Far
ley had been talking inside. Marion
felt a sick disappointment 70 think
that Ted had had 20 so OF without
one word from her.
A wave Of sympathy swept over
her, as she thought Of what the
sheriff had said about Kay Crandon