The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-22
CHAPTER IA
Old Man Warren's

At Old Man Warren's
d TDING in to Red River over
N the same route that Kay and
he had taken that morning, Ted's
thoughts Of Kay were so absorb
ing that the time passed almost as
quickly as it had in her actual
company.
It seemed impossible that he
had known Kay only about "a
hoursl Because of that meeting,
which might have had such a diff
ferent ending if anyone but Kay
had found him at that act of des-
peration, his whole outlook on
life was changed.
Just the relief Of knowing that
his mother and sister had home
to come to was enough to make
q new man of him. But added to
that the thought that he was to
be near Kay, helping her and
planning for her, opened up UNI
fold vistas Of magic hopes.
Easily finding Old Man Warren's
shack. Ted knocked on the door.
After a moment it was pulled
open, and he found himself facing
the grizzled old prospector, who
eyed him with suspicious surprise.
What do you want?" he de-
manded.
II wanted to see you about buy
ing some of that timber land you
hold on the south ridge of the Bit
ter Root" Ted answered. It was
all he could do to keep from
laughing aloud at the comical
change that altered Old Man War
ren's fierce expression.
What's that?" he asked, his
face screwed up and his eyes
squinted as though he doubted the
evidence Of his senses. "What'd
you say?"
Ted repeated his words.
Gosh Halifax Almighty" The
prospector opened the door wide,
and pulled Ted in, hastily closing
1t behind him. II sure never
thought I'd live to hear that Yuh
got any real money!" He blinked
suspiciously.
1--we SIS to say I'm in earnest, |"
Ted answered. "I'm offering you
500 for 10 acres and an option on
another 10 at the same price. And
I'm ready to pay that Is right now
on deposit"
Say, young fella, what's yuh
gamer Old Man Warren demand
ed. "Yuh been prospectin' up
there"
Ted laughed. 'sNo. That's out of
ny line. ! don't want it for myself.
I'm buying 1t for Kay Crandon."
Old Man Warren's suspicious
little eyes screwed up still more.
whats she after? Started already
TO have a ding with her insurance
money!"
Maybe" Ted gladly let his host
put his own Interpretation on
Kay's purpose. The less he guessed
kay,s vital need for the property
the better.
Well, II she wants 1t that bad,
strikes me she'll pay more, now
that she's got all that money to
sling around the old prospector
announced with cunning. "You tell
her ] amt selling for mite less
than $50 an acre"
Ted turned carelessly toward
the door. mo point telling her
that, he observed. There's plenty
Of tifnberland 10 be bought at $40
an acre and even less. I'll Just
pick It up somewhere else without
bothering you any more. Kay
thought you'd like TO sell and told
me to give you the first chance. .
He pulled open the door. so long.
Vii, therel Wait a minutel Yuh
don't need to be in such a doggone
rushl ! didn't say ] wouldn't sell,
did II" Old Man Warren pulled
him back. Have ii yuhr own
way, he capitulated. adding
greedily. Where's the Is buckS?' =
Well get this down in black
and white first. Ted sat down at
the rough pine-board table and
drew up a memorandum of the
AAneaSduns WllCh IllQ Man war
rem signed.
An Optical Illnsions
uERE you are" Ted handed
"A him the money and put
the precious memorandum in his
pocket, smiling Is he watched the
old prospector count Il over with
loving care. You're well rid OF
i" be observed as he turned "a
the door again. Buyers aren't any
too plentiful these days"
Old Man Warren nodded inn
patiently, but made no response
as he started TO count his unex-
pected wealth again.
WIfh 3 so long, that was &C.
cepted this time. Ted went "a
and mounted his horse. wcil
fled with his afternoons ,ses