The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-31
Chapter As
Fire Claims Its Own

IN a few broken words, Marion
i related how her father had come
back after his mysterious absence,
and how she had discovered that he
was the firebug that everyone was
hunting.
'He didn't know what he was do
ing" she moaned. "For a whole
year he hasn't been himself. He
collapsed, after he got back, and for
several days he was as helpless as
baby. Then, he suddenly began
raving, and declaring that he must
get back to his fire. It was awful!
lie talked as though the fire was a
clildI Again and again, he would
say, It's calling mel It needs meP
Lei me gol' "
Marion buried her face in her
hands, and Kay put her arms
around her in silent sympathy.
Time after time" Marion went
on. she'd try to get up and 60, but
he was too weak. / counted on that
to save him until his frenzy should
pass over. But one evening, when ]
had gone out for water, came
back to find him gone"
How terrible! What did you
dor"
81 acted like a crazy thing. l
guess" Marion answered. Il ran in
every direction, calling until my
voice went completely. ] never
dared get too far from here, for
fear he would come back and not
find me. After searching all night,
] gave up. There was nothing to do
but wait. It was the next night that
Ted appeared after had about de-
cided that would Just head out at
random for the fire. I'd gathered a
general idea of where it was, and ]
was crazy enough to do anything.
Ted brought me back to my senses,
and said ne would 60 after my ia
Their himself, If / would promise to
wait here. It's too soon to expect
news, suppose, but it's terrible,
waiting without word of any kind.
For some time, the two girls
chung together, the thought of each
filed with foreboding for her own
loved one.
Don't you think we ought to go
and try to find them?" Kay said at
last.
Marion shook her head. "Ter-
rible as it is to wait, I'm sure it's
the only thing to do. / promised,
and somehow / have faith that Ted
will get back. They might need our
help desperately, and If we started
out, we'd be almost sure to miss
them"
'Tll stay with you, then" Kay
declared. Il promised Ted to stay
in hiding from Josh Hastings until
the trial, and can do that here as
we'll as anywhere. Then If :. ]
mean, when" she corrected herself
with catch in her voice, he comes
back, I'll be able to see him before
he gives himself up"
Marion's face lighted up with the
first real smile Kay had seen on it.
Ted told me how wonderful you
were" she said, "and ] guess he
was about right"
Kay gave a violent dissenting
shake Of her head, but her heart
sang with reckless happiness that
not even her fears could dispeil.
Duty Despite Risk
vxyHEN Ted left Marion on his
w quest for her father, he pointed
down the south ridge, heading for
the faint distant glow that illu-
mined the southern sky. II was
cloudy night. but no stars were
needed 20 guide him to the fire.
He did not minimize to himself
the danger of going into the fire
fighting region, where he would be
almost sure to run across someone
who would recognize him. But he
never questioned his duty in the
matter.
Marion had saved his life. II was
up TO him to save her father If he
could, without regard to his own
safety. There was q slender chance
that in the excitement of the fire
his presence would pass unheeded.
II not unnoticed, and il was up 10
him TO do his best for Marion.
Obviously, the strength Of his
position IN the trial would be
greatly diminished If he was cap
tured. instead Of giving himself up,
but that was no longer the main
consideration He reflected bitterly
that nothing much mattered. any
way, now that he knew his love for
Kay could never come 10 anything,
blighted as 1t was. by the knowI-
edge Of her treachery.
Marion, at least, had been true.
so he owed all his effort TO her. He
could hear again Marion'S indig-