The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-20

ties were seated at one end of the
long wooden table that stood on a
raised platform at the back of 1t.
Joe motioned Ted to his place at
the other end, and then joined
Sam Cutter. At another table,
alongside, sat the IL men who were
to decide Ted's fate.
There was a small space left be-
fore the rows of seats began. Ted
could see at glance that the room
was even more crowded than it
had been on the day before. Every
seat was taken, and standing room
was filed to capacity.
In the sea of faces before him,
Ted's glance caught Josh Hastings
and Tom Runyon, but he passed
them by without change of express
sion, his eyes seeking Kay in spite
Of his resolution tc ignore her COM
pletely.
There were comparatively few
women in the room and he singled
her out almost Immediately. His
heart gave great throb as he
caught her eye.
She was looking at him with
parted lips, her head held proudly,
but a hurt and bewildered express
sion in her eyes. She gave hest
tating half smile, but Ted allowed
his eyes to drift past her, without
flicker of recognition.
Out of the corner Of his eye he
was conscious of the sudden rush
of crimson that dyed her cheeks,
then his attention was summarily
drawn to Sam Cutter, who pound
ed on the table, calling loudly for
order. The buzz of talk subsidized,
and in an important voice he out
lined the events of the preceding
day.
Ted listened attentively, even
Kay forgotten, as the vitalmoment
approached when he must make
his plea. e y48 bnG
The sheriff finished at last, and
turned to him.
We'll hear the prisoners story
now" he announced in a pompous
manner.
Kay Calls A Halt
TED stood up, and in a firm voice
1 recited his story, which he had
rehearsed so many times to him
self. He found his eyes uncon-
sciously straying to Kay's face.
And when he came to tell how
Scrap Johnson had stolen up on
him as he had been taking a drink,
and shot him down by the waters
edge, he saw her blanch, and, with
her hand at her throat, as though
suddenly short of breath, glance
over at Josh Hastings.
Going on with his narrative, Ted
told how he had dragged himself
along the streams bank until he
had come to the clearing, and Ma
rion had taken him in. and saved
his life.
There was dead silence as he
stopped. Then, Sam Cutter cleared
his throat, and rose to his feet.
How about that fight you had
with Scrap johnson at Kelly's?
Do you admit you threatened to
kill him that timer"
Ted hesitated a moment. He saw
clearly enough the trap that the
sheriff was trying to lead him
into, but he decided to stick to the
absolute truth.
Il believe I did," he answered.
But that doesn't prove I did it."
Who was the girl you were
fighting about?"
A dull red crept up behind Ted's
ears, as the sheriff brought out this
unexpected question.
Il refuse to answer" Ted re-
turned Sam Cutters look with set
tied defiance. THAT has no bearing
on the case"
I'm the Judge Of that" Sam
Gutter snapped angrily. Zone of
the witnesses yesterday said Scrap
johnson had referred to her as a
red headed filly.' Is that sol"
Il refuse to answer" Ted reiter-
ated stubbornly.
The jury'll do well to make q
note of that" the sheriff sneered.
Only / reckon they won't need it.
All they've got to do is to take the
facts into account. They've got the
gun, and the bullet that came from
1T They've got the prisoners adj
mission that he threatened TO kill
the murdered man. 1t amt even
worth my while to cross examine
his cock-and-bull story" he ended
scornfully. - S. NN
Turning inpresSively 20 the
jury, he began, Il charge you to-2T
Wait a minutel"
A ripple of excitement ran over
the room, as every eye turned TO
Kay. Her cheeks crimson. but her
head held proudly high. Kay stood
facing Sam Cutter, her yellow
brown eyes black with the intensi-
~ of her emotion.
Il object TO this trial going any
further! It's illegal!H
Sam Cutter banged on the table
10 stop the buzz Of comment that
greeted this surprising interrupt
ton.
Il don't understand you. Miss
Crandon. !" he said severely. You'll
either have to keep still or get
out"
but I protest this trial." Kay's
voice grew steadier as she went
on. Ted Gaynor cannot be tried
IN Idaho. Scrap Johnson was muir.
dered in the state Of Montanal"
fcePyrisht, 1857. Maris Dc Nsreandl
Tomorrow, Josh Hastings kidnApe
Kay aud imprisans her.