The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-11-09
Chapter IA
David's Proposal

THE second horse-which was
l. the dreaded Worthington crea
lures - fell also, but while its
rider was thrown clear, Nina was
pinned under the two animals in q
tangle Of reins, stirrups, and eight
wildly kicking black hoofs.
Twice, Gray Dawn struggled ur
a little, but could get no foot
hold on the hard, frosty surface OF
the road, and fell back again .
knocking the breath clean out Of
her mistress's body. Nina's right
leg was twisted behind her into an
unbearable position and a weight
like the rock of Gibraltar was rest
ing on her left.
The sky overhead was segment
ed by what seemed, to her tor
tured eyes, a thousand waving
legs; and over and above the
grunting Of the animals, a rushing
sound was filing her head, like
the overlooking of mighty river.
Gradually her legs ceased to
ache, and the sky above became
overcast by a great dark cloud.
-. In a detached sort of way, she
wondered If che were dying.
"Heyl Careful there. :. You'll
get kicked to DEATH" Through the
whirring noises came Lilith's
voice, harsh1y frantic. Dear, sweet
Lilith, she'd turned back.
And another voice. "What the
he'll are you just going to let
her lie there?"
And now Nina was quite sure
she was delirious. if not actually
at deaths door.
The voice she heard was David's.
''You damn fool! They'll quiet in
. second. :"
And David's taunting: "Oh,
yeah? Coming, Ninal Hold
everything, darling. I'll get you
Into the blackening sky came
David's copper head. /. His brown
eyes. with a mad. terrified light in
them. His arms reaching down
10 her. -.
She was beyond trying to rea-
son 1t all out, why he should be
here =. but she made an effort
to gasp Don't" before the dark
closed in. She thought she heard a
cry Of pain, and hoped, frantical-
~, that it was she, not David. But
she could not be sure.
Nina You've GOT Tor
NINA opened her eyes and dis
covered that she was in the
bottom Of a station wagon. The
back seats had been removed, and
they were progressing at a snail's
pace. She could see the legs of two
horses and two riders, one on
either side. Carl was one, and as
she turned her head to see who
was the other she looked
straight into the troubled brown
eyes Of David Day, lying on pile
Of coats, beside her.
David +. So it was you'll"
Nina - nigel are you all
''The funny thing is, / think I
am practically. But you, you
crazy lamb, you brave fool you
-. how do you happen to be here?
What happened?"
His nice face was glowing with
relief.
Nothing. The very efficient
young lady on your right, got them
up. | only succeeded in getting
myself knocked out, so that there
were two of us to rescue instead Of
one. Great little helper, Da-
yid.p
Great little helper"
Don't be too nice to me, darling.
I'm unstrung. And speak quietly
he was whispering, II don't want
them 10 hear us till I've proposed
marriage. =. Darling Nina, I'm
so crafty, madly in love with you.
Sweetheart, / only make so,
or at best so dollars a week I. .
could you? On that? was deliver
ing a car. Remember said I'd try
and catch a glimpse Of you? Well,
suddenly, you all tore out in front
Of me. and when saw you &c
down, and thought you were be-
ing smashed to a pulp. Nina,
you've got tol"
He was incoherent and-dear.
He was pale and GREATNESS, and q
tiny triekle of blood oozed from
ais temple.
nina. :"
"David - dear. Could we stop
4alking. just for now? Ny head IS
whirling." He looked Instantly
contrite. But, David, II you would
Just lean over and kiss me. -"
lie WINGED with pain as he lift
ed himself on his elbow and bent
over her but when he drew
away again, he was the happiest
docking person in the world.