The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-03
chapter %
A MoonIight Ride

A Moonlight Ride
IT was quite dark when Kay clat-
4 tered up to the Flying Six ranch
house. At her whoopee, Babs and
Ruth came dashing out. Dismount-
ing, she met them at the foot of the
steps, and they all three burst into
the living room together, their
arms intertwined.
well, well, bless me if you don't
all look the same agel" Josh Hast
ings got up and came toward them.
Though he addressed the whole
trio, his eyes were fixed on Kay,
with her bright eyes and flushed
cheeks framed in tousled mop of
auburn curls.
Kay instantly Strengthened up
and snoothed her hair. 1t was all
she could do to represS the angry
contempt and scorn she felt for this
man, who had tried by such sneak
ing means to get the best of her, but
she realized that for the moment,
at least, she must act as though
nothing had happened to change
her usual attitude toward him.
"Where've you been all day?"
Aunt Hates querulous question
broke the awkward moment, and
Kay turned to her with relief.
Il was terribly sorry not to get
over sooner, she contritely went
over and kissed her, "but / was
waiting around for Ted Gaynor to
come back with his mother land
sister"
A curious pause followed these
words, and something made Kay
glance up keenly at Josh Hastings.
His eyes were narrowed on her
with an enigmatic stare, and a half
smile twisted his lips into sinister
line.
Kay felt a cold unreasoning
clutch at her spine. With great diff
ficulty, she repressed the involun-
tary shudder that contracted her
muscles.
The memory of that premonition
she had had when Ted said goodby
TO her flashed over her again, but
she sternly ignored il. No matter
what Josh Hastings had tried to do
70 her. she couldn't blame him for
Ted's failure to appear! She at
least had to be fair enough to
admit that.
Il reckon you've made a mistake,
taking on that man and a whole
parcel Of relatives" Aunt Kate
broke through the strained mo-
ment. "It'll be a good thing If be
doesn't show up at all. !"
Josh Hastings let out a great guf-
faw. Trust Aunt Kate TO hit the
nail on the headl" he exclaimed,
with indulgent appreciation. shes
said q mouthfull"
"Sure / have" Aunt Kate agreed
complacently. a pleased smile on
her lips at the fiattery of her hosts
glance.
Perhaps / haze made a mis-
take" Kay obeyed a sudden mis-
chievous impulse. eff they weren't
coming. you and Babs could come
back now and have that cabin.
Well. SEEM you've promised It
- them, ! reckon you'll have to see
II though
Kay smiled at Aunt Hates hur-
ried change of tactics. as she saw
herself transferred from the com-
fort Of her present quarters to the
rigors of the pioneer life in a small
cabin.
Unavoidable Escort
HOW about that cumberland you
were thinking Of buying the
last time you were here?n Josh
Hastings tone was deliberately
careless as he put this question,
but his eyes were alert as ne
studied kay's expression Ia try 70
discover whether Scrap johnson
bad told her what his errand TO
town that day had been.
The fact that Kay had come over
10 the Flying Six would seem to
indicate that she had not diScov-
cred his effort TO double-cross her,
but Josh Hastings was eager TO get
this point cleared up. IL Scrap had
told her, he'd have quite q bit of
explaining to do. and he had a
plausible yarn all ready. But If she
knew nothing about it. his best line
obviously was to let well enough
alone.
''Oh. yes. traS telling you about
thar KAY met his glance with
wide-eyed innocence. Il bought L
up. In fact. one of my punchers
was IN town attending 10 Il for me
thai afternoon I was here. Didn't
! mention it7"
mo. you didn't" Josh HASTINGS
efforts 20 conceal his feelings were
less successful than Kay's, and she
smiled inwardly at his disguised
tone.
We'll. II you take my advice,
ycun sell out while you've got a
chance." Aunt Kate put in her
word. josh Hastings. here. is Civ