The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-09-04
Chapter So
Ted Gives Himself Up


TOR a long moment the two men
II glared at each other, uncon-
scious for the time being of any,
thing but the conflict of will be-
tween them. Then Ted's hand
dropped to his side.
You're right about that" he
agreed. ''But l have better
weapon than a gun. l reckon /
won't need your confession after
ALL. He put his hand in his pocket
and pulled out the notebook Kay
had given him. "I'll just quote you
few extracts from this diary that
was found in the cellar of the
blacksmith shop at Clear Water.
know it by heart"
'Tfs all lies!" Josh Hastings
broke in hoarsely on Ted's recital.
'It's frame up!"
"It is notl" Kay faced him with
blazing eyes. "And / have another
piece of evidence to prove you
were on the spot!"
"And I can testify that Ted
Gaynor swore again and again in
his delirium that he had seen you
bending over him!" Marion added
her voice to the chorus of accusa-
ton. I#.f
"Sure you can" Josh Hastings
screamed in sudden frenzy. Sand
I can testify that you're all lying,
lying, lying, do you hear! Oh-oh!'
He gave a groan and toppled back,
moaning, ''My head! My head!"
In a second, Marion was kneel-
ing beside him, expertly bracing
his head against her knee, while
he muttered inarticulately.
"It looks like a stroke" she
whispered to Ted. "Have you any
Water?"
Ted made for his saddle, and
pulled off the canteen. "a little.
Not much" He held it out to her.
Marion tried TO force some be-
tween Josh Hastings teeth, but
unsuccessfully. With a final moan,
he slumped to the ground uncon-
scious, and breathing in heavy.
stentorian gaspS.
eft is a stroke" Marion rose to
her feet. HE may come out of it,
and he may not. What shall we
do?"
There's only one thing to dc"
Ted answered. Wen have to take
him with us to Clear Water. I'll
give him and myself up there.
Well have to leave the decision of
who's guilty up to the Red River
jury"
DissOlving A misunderstanding
A CCEPTING Ted's decision as
"A final, the two girls helped him
lift Josh Hastings onto his horse.
Across that third ridge" Ted
announced. 1--WE ought to strike
the Clear Water trail. Are you
girls good for it,"
He looked inquiringly fr ON
Marion to Kay, and Kay felt her
heart contract as she caught the
subtle change in his expression as
his eyes shifted to her.
After the first wild moment of
aboiA0OAAs leu ilclQ AdldiJ SPOfNCAl
to her, except to address her gen.
orally. with Marion. And now all
the warmth of that first passionate
embrace had given way to a hard
cold imperSonality.
As clearly as though he had
spoken his thoughts aloud, Kay
knew what was in his mind. She
joined perfunctorily in Marion's
assertion that they were ready for
anything, but as Ted started off.
leading his horse with his I'M
conscious burden, Kay grabbed
Marion's hand and held her back.
Let me 60 ahead with Ted"
she whispered. With an under
derstanding nod. Marion made
way for her to pass, and dropped
a few PAGES behind.
Ted"
Ted started at Kay's voice close
beside him. She slipped her fingers
into his free hand. which hung
loosely at his side, and clutehed
on to it convulsively. in spite of
its lack of response to her clasp.
Ted. you must listen to mel"
she began desperately. II didn't