The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-03

she felt against her aunt for being
such an easy tool in Josh Hastings
hands. 'I'll have to be getting
back, now"
"Tm going with YOU" Josh Has
tings announced.
NO, you mustn't" Kay expos
tulated, angry at herself for not
having foreseen this outcome of
her visit. 'Id rather go alonel It's
moonlight, and I'm not the least bit
afraid"
"That's not the point" Josh
Hastings reached up for his hat and
coat. I'm doing this for my own
pleasure
Realizing that she was fairly
caught, and that to protest any fur
ther would be to attach undue
importance to the situation, Kay
gave in as gracefully as she could.
After saying goodnight to Babs and
Ter aunt. the two started of to-
gether.
For some time they rode through
the moonlight without saying any
thing. As he had insisted on COM
ing, Kay decided to leave the
burden of the conversation to him,
and the magic of the night inevi-
tably drew her thoughts to Ted
Gaynor. l
The long rolling reaches Of the
mesa stretched out in silver Tadi-s
ance before them, broken only by
ghostly clumps of brush, with their
weird twisted shadows. lengthen-
ing in the moonlight. wsf
If only Ted had come when he
had said he would, she would be
taking this ride with him instead
of Josh Hastings, Kay reflected,
with a renewed wave of disap-
pointment.
It's An Ugly Story
a S though reading her thoughts,
"A her companion suddenly broke
the long silence, Ginning in with
what she was thinking with an UNI
canny insight.
'sYour Aunt Kate was right
about that Gaynor guy, Kay" His
tone was full of a friendly protec-
ton. There are few things /
want to tell you about him, and
then I think that you'll agree with
her"
''Yes?" Kay waited on-commit-
tally for what he had to say, al
though her eyes held q hostile dis
belief of whatever it might be.
"pm surprised that he'd have the
nerve to come to any range where
he knew was" Josh Hastings
went on, s'but / reckon he won't
stay long, even If he does show up
which / doubt"
"Why?"
Josh Hastings hesitated, then
spoke with a show of reluctance.
Its an ugly story, but think you
ought to know it, for your own
protection. When ! had my ranch
over IN the Clear Water basin, this
Gaynor was punching for Old Man
Gage of the x Bar L. He was in
vosved in rustling raid of his
boss's cattle, and the shooting of
his son."
He paused a moment, then add
ed. There was a girl mixed up in
it. too. but / won't 60 into that"
you may as well give me the
whole story, now you've started"
Kay's voice was coldly uncon-
WINGED and Josh Hastings fiared UP
at her implied disbelief.
Just a pretty case of getting the
girl in trouble and then deserving
her" Josh Hastings shot a sidelong
look at Kay to get her reaction to
this news. and as he caught the
quick look of surprised unbelief,
he added, "She committed sui
eide
How do you know that Ted
Gaynor was responsible?" Kay
demanded hotly The story was
certainly ugly, but she found il
impossible to associate IL with Ted.
He couldn't have been guilty of
thing like khatI II sounded much
more like the sort Of thing Josh
Hastings himself would be capable
Of
1T was common talk" Hastings
answered her indignant question
with more tolerant tone. Il don't
wonder you are startled. But now
you can see the probable reason for
his disappearance He knew you'd
hear his story sooner or later from
me. and figured he'd better clear
out while the going was good
For several moments they rode
on in silence, then Kay said slowly,
'sTm certainly not going to con-
denim anyone by common talk and
sumor. You ought 20 have some
thing more tangible to 60 on, be-
fore you spread story like that TO
ruin a mans reputation"
Josh Hastings gave short laugh.
Il must say your confidence in me
isn't any too catering"
Would you repeat that story 20
Ted Gaynor's facet" Kay de-
manded.
sSure / would But don't worry
II won't have 20, Hastings
sneered. Take my word for il, that
talk about showing up again with
his mother and sister was all one
grand blum
Kay made no answer. but she
touched Flicker with her heel. and
ses q sharper pace for home. She
didn't Tor one minute believe Josh
Hastings story, but she was AMI
mated b. q sudden imperative de-
sire 20 set rid Of bis hatefuI
presence.
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