The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-09
Chapter %
Demonstrating The Crime

'hecOnstructIng lhe OrIme
QY THE next morning, Kay had
II reached point of tense anxi-
ETY. that demanded action.
There was no use denying to
herself any longer that Ted meant
more to her than any man she had
ever known. The sympathy for his
desperate plight that had first
drawn her to him, had changed to
admiration, for The clever way in
which he had helped her. And this
feeling again had given way to
something much deeper, as she had
watched him fighting for her, and
during that magic ride back in the
sunset, before he had said goodby.
She admitted now the cause Of
her intense restlessness when he
had failed to appear at the time
she had expected him. She was IN
love with him, and somehow she
knew that he cared for her too.
The first thing to do, she decides
was to ride over to the Flying SIX
and see if there had been any news
from the sheriff. Babs wouldn't be
able to come over with any mes
sage until after school, and Kay
simply couldn't wait until then.
After the way she and Josh Has
tings had last parted, it was fairly
certain that he wouldn't take the
trouble to bring any message over.
In spite of her vow not to go
near the Flying Six again, Kay felt
she couldn't possibly wait until
afternoon to hear any news there
might be. Let Josh Hastings think
anything he wanted tol She was
going over there.
Eating a hasty breakfast, she
ran down TO the. corral, saddled
Flicker and was off.
In the morning sunlight, her
fears Of the night assumed less
tragic shape. The fact that Ted
hadn't been found anywhere
would seem to indicate that he
couldn't have been so severely
wounded. The only thing for her
10 do was to have faith in him, and
try to talk down the ugly rumors
that were running rife about him.
To her relief, Josh Hastings was
nowhere in sight as she rode up to
the ranch house of the Flying Six.
Aunt Kate was summing herself on
the porch. She waved q greeting.
SIN glad to see you amt such a
fool, after all. she said compla-
Gently as Kay came up the steps.
Ignoring this remark, Kay ran
over and kissed her peppery old
relative, then eagerly asked, HAS
Zeke Farley telephoned any mes
sage for me, here?"
mot that / know Of" Aunt Kate
wrinkled up her face and squinted
speculatively at Kay. "He stopped
here on his way to find that fine
new puncher of yoursl / don't
know any stronger proof that you
need a husband to manage you
and your affairs, than that you 90
of and get murderer in your OUT
fit And give him your fathers
gun 10 do the numbering With"
She gave a snort of diSapproval.
Kay bit ner lips TO keep back the
angry retort that sprang to them.
Quarreling with Aunt Kate wasn't
going to get her anywherel On the
contrary, here was her chance to
set her straight about Ted.
Il thought you had more fair
ness than to Jump to conclusions
that way" she began, in carefully
controlled voice. you
How DO You Know?'
WHO'S jumping to concni1
w sions?" Kay started as Josh
Hastings appeared suddenly in the
doorway. He had a sly smile of
satisfaction at seeing her there. It
made Kay regret her iFnpulsipe
haste in coming over. especially as
there hadn't been any message for
her after all.
Why, Kay here says ann
Aunt Kate answered in an az
grieved tone. I'VE were talking
about that man the sheriff is after. .
Il didn't expect you to have
proof of what | was telling YOU. SO
soon, Josh Hastings looked tri-I
umphantly at Kay. There's no
question Of jumping to conclu-
sions. The mans a proved MUIR
derer. And IL he hasn't escaped
over the border. he'll be brought
back and hung" He watched Tor
kay'S reaction TO these words.
Kay controlled her expression
ny a mighty effort. Fortunately.
every one isn't as ready to condemn
> eaan unheard as you are. she an
a Sared eoldly.
Don't be a fooll" Kay's GOODNESS
touched of Josh Hastings easily
aroused temper. The Gaynor
MACS gun was found with two car
tvsages exploded. where he drop