The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-19
Chapter II
Kay Talks Too Freely
KAY held Ted back as the others
~ entered the mess shack.

Il brought you this" she said,
suddenly shy at the look in his
eyes, as he gazed inquiringly at
her. She unbuckled a cartridge
studded belt with a swinging gun,
and handed it to him. gbig@sg (
"You said you'd sold yours she
explained simply. This was one of
Dads. I'd like to have you have 1T. 2
A huskineSs came into Ted's
throat as he tried to thank her, but
she hurried in without waiting for
him to voice his feelings.
BY the time Kay got back to her
cabin, the bitter blow of the morn
ing seemed nothing more than a
joke. It would be a great relief to
have the $4,000 insurance money
paid off on the mortgage, and she'd
have her house and barn into the
bargain.
A sudden impulse decided her
to 60 over and tell Aunt Kate and
Babs about it, and she turned down
to the corral to get Flicker.
won't Josh Hastings be mad,
Flicks?" she gloated, with a tri-
umphant laugh. eff he did have
anything to do with the fire, he's
had his trouble for nothing"
Planning how she could arrange
to get Aunt Kate and Babs home
as soon as possible so as not to be
under any greater obligation than
she could help to Josh Hastings,
Kay decided to get the boys to
throw up an addition to her cabin
the first thing so that they could
all fit into it, while the building
was going on.
Ted Gaynor had gone off right
after lunch, and was planning to
bring his mother and sister back
within two or three days.
It'll be no end of fun, Flicks,"
she murmured, with sparkling
eyes and heightened color as her
mind dwelt on Ted Gaynor. We'll
all be regular pioneers, and live
just as they did in the early days.
Her mind full Of schemes and
plans for the future, Kay covered
the 10 miles to the Flying Six in
what seemed no time at all, and
came trotting up to the ranch
house to find Aunt Kate doing on
the porch in the sunshine.
There's A Fine Man.
"uELLO there!"
L 4 Aunt Kate awoke with
start at Kay's call.
well, it's about time you were
coming over to see how / was get
ting on" she grumbled, but the
affectionate welcome in her eyes
belied her querulous greeting.
Come up here and give an ac-
count of yourself"
Kay dismounted and ran up the
steps, looking about with an in
vestigating eye to see if there were
any signs of Josh Hastings. She
was torn between the hope of get
ting away without seeing him, and
the mischievous desire to fiaunt
her new plan before him.
Il suppose Babs isn't home from
school yet" Kay observed, as she
kissed her aunt. Il was so upset
last night that I'm afraid didn't
give you a very cordial welcome,
she added alphabetically.
Made me feel about as welcome
as a pole cati" Aunt Kate was
never one to mince words. But ]
don't hold ii up against you. con-
Siderin' the circumstances. Luckily
Josh Hastings did the welcomin'
for you. There's a fine man for
you!' She shot Kay quick shrewd
look out of her bright black eyes.
1T was good OF him to step into
the breach the way he did" Kay
answered evasively. Is he back
from town yet"
How'd you know he went to
town."
Before Kay had a chance to an
swer, a deep bass Hello" sound
ed from the direction Of the corral,
and the next minute Josh Hastings
rounded the corner OF the porch.
Hello, therels There was moth
ing in his greeting to indicate
whether he had overheard Kay's
TRADE against him. He came up on
the porch and held out his hand.
which Kay was reluctantly forced
to take. you were sure in q hurry
the last time saw you. he added.
"Had some bad news2"
1T seemed like mighty bad news
then" Kay answered. hut now
see It in q different light. It's
opened lp all sorts Of possible
ties
Sensible girl. he commented.
So yca've come over about the
ogfer / NADER Well, I'm standing
right behind IL