The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-20
Chapter Il
Race 10 oId Man Warren,s


THERE'S something l want to
4 ask you, said Josh Hastings.
who was the fellow you were in
town with, today?"
Hes a new puncher I've just
taken on" Kay dextrously evaded
his grasp, and ran lightly down the
steps.
What's his name?"
Kay pretended not to hear as
she swung into the saddle and
picked up the reins. "Pll tell you
about him some other time" she
called, with an attempt at gaily
nonchalant tone. Controlling her
impotence with a mighty effort,
she headed Flicker for the Lazy
Nine at a leisurely cam trot until
she was out Of sight of the ranch
house.
Once safely hidden in a coulee,
Kay swung about at right angles,
and touching Flicker with her
heel, started off on a dead run for
Red River.
Stupid, garrulous fool" she
stormed at herself, as she urged
Flicker on. why did / have to
be so smarty about telling all my
plans? It would be no more than
I deserve if he did get that timber
land away from mel"
Resolved to make every effort to
undo the possible mischief her ILL
considered remarks might have
caused, Kay busily made her plans
as she raced across the mesa.
Old Man Warren was an old
prospector who lived in shack
Just outside Red River. He had inn
pulsively invested his savings
some years ago in the timberland
that was so necessary to Kay's
plans, and had been cursing his
luck ever since.
Kay had no doubt at all but that
be would be only too glad to sell.
But once let him get the idea that
two people were after his prop
erty, and his price would sky
rocket out of sight.
As Kay pulled in for few min
utes 70 let Flicker get his wind,
she laughed at herself for her mad
haste.
II suppose I am as crazy as that
locoed coyote Josh Hastings was
TALKING about she observed.
Probably Il hasn't occurred to
him at all. to buy up this land, and
I'm having all this panic for Moth
ing. Just the same it's lucky Old
Man Warren hasn't any telephone,
OF he might beat me to it, even
now"
Spurred on by the sudden fear
that Hastings might send a mes
sage TO the store Tor Warren to
60 over there and call him up, Kay
urged Flicker on again. Gradually
through the clatter OF Flieker's
hoof beats, she heard the insistent
pounding Of more hoofs behind
her.
Sudden panic seized her, and
she gave Flicker a touch Of her
spur. not daring to glance back, in
her certainty that she would see
Josh Hastings following post-haste
on her trail.
Imperceptibly she could feel the
pursuing horse catching up, and
at last, unable to bear the suspense
and uncertainty any longer, she
glanced around.
She gaSped out her relief. and
refined in slightly AZ the sight of
the mysterious horseman. She had
no idea who he was, but that slight
figure couldn't be Josh Hastings
Il would be better, she decided. to
wait and see what he wanted. as
he was obviously trying to catch
up with her. His horse being faster
than Flicker. he was bound TO ac-
complish his purpose sooner or
later, so il would be more dignified
70 slow down than 70 appear TO be
frightened into fiighs.
Gradually pulling Flicker in, she
rode ahead more at ease. and as
the pounding hoof beats behind
her drew near. she refined in, and
turned TO fa>e the stranger.
No Fear For Herself
KAY had a vague feeling Of hav-
N ing seen the man who was
coming on az 4 hard gallop. but
Ter the moment she couldn't place
hisa Tier. as he drew nearer, she
reyE E-lized him as one of the Fly
ing Six punehers.
She couldn't remember bis
name. but she clearly recalled
having seen him At the last dance
on the range. Something about
him had distinctly repelled her
She had diSliked his narrow face.
with its close-set gray eyes. broken
nose ard the unpleasant tWiSt u
his mouth. He'd tried to dance with
her. but she had deity eva3ed