The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-23
Chapter I5
Rescue with Fury

!
d ESOLVING to get up on the
IN open range, bonds or no
bonds, Kay managed to edge pain
fully up the slope, using her ell
bows and knees to pull herself
along.
The distance, which could have
been covered in few strides on
foot, seemed endless when nego-
tiated in this painful fashion. At
last she reached the top and sank
back, faint with exhaustion.
Opening her eyes, she could see
the range stretching out in undu-
lating waves to the horizon on the
south and east; while to the north
and west the mountains rose to
intercept its vast sweep. There
was not a sign Of life In kind Of
gtupor, Kay watched the flicker
ing waves of heat that made the
air seem to vibrate against the
blue sky.
A merciful oblivion was steal
ing over her, when suddenly
against the sky on the horizon to
the south she saw outlined the
silhouette of a horseman.
The first sickening dread that it
might be Scrap johnson passed
with the realization that he
wouldn't be riding so far to the
south. Resolving that whoever the
rider vas, she would rather trust
herself to him than TO johnson,
Kay took fresh courage.
Strengthened by new hope, she
struggled to her knees. gazing in
tently at the distant apparition.
Unless she could stand up, there
wasn't chance that he could see
her.
She edged her way over to a
smooth boulder and, bracing her.
self against it, managed to pull
herself up on her feet. AS she
wavered uncertainty on the one
foot that was in a position to take
a solid stand, her heart gave a
great leap and a strangled cry
beat against the muffiing ban
danna.
The horseman had come to a
standstilll Speck as he was in the
distance, Kay knew he was look
ing her way.
In an instructive impulsive ef-
fort to jerk up her arms and sig
nal to him, she lost her balance,
and slumped to the ground. Strain
ing and painting, she tried again
to get Up. Her eyes never left the
silhouetted figure.
She groaned with desperation
IS she saw him resume his way.
Then her courage forsook her, and
she gave IN to the rushing black
ness that enveloped her.
The Thud OF Hoofbeats
"CLEEPING beauty, chr"
~ Kay came to to realize that
Scrap johnson was standing over
her. She kept her eyes closed as
she summoned all her courage to
meet the ordeal ahead. If she kept
her wits about her, there might
yet be some way out. The man
must have some decency she could
appeal tol But she mustn't show
any fearl
He gave a low whistle. "Ill say
you've done some travelinrl' he
observed. Kind of hard going.
what?"
He stopped down and loosened
her gag. No point in covering I'D
those red lips, any longer" he
la4snf,ol ~ fsefr ~ efts. -. -. &c.. 10
ened up again. Come on, Cutie.
know you're shammingl Open
up those brown eyes of yours
like to see 'em snap!s
Kay opened her eyes and looked
straight at him, without moving.
All her will power was shining IN
their hypnotic depths, and, in spite
Of himself, Scrap Johnson gave
an embarrassed laugh. and took 8
backward step.
IF you'll cut these bonds and
ride away from here, kay'S voice
was low and intent, as She held
him with her gaze. "I'll agree to
keep still about what's happened.
That's your only chance 70 stay on
this range and live"
For a moment he wavered.
Then. with a hoarSe laugh, he
stopped down beside her, and ptit
his arm around her.
"A bird in the hands worth two
In the bush" he gloated, breath
ING heavily. His eyes avoided hers
and focused on her lips, and KAY
felt a sick rush OF terror.
IN their absorption. neither had
heard the thud OF distant hoof-
beats. but now, at The same mo-
ment. they both became aware Of
them.
Scrap Johnson dropped Kay
with an oath, sprang 10 bis feet
and seized his gun.
II the same instant. Kay kicked
cut nercely against his shinS her