The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-06
Chapter ~
ANarrow Escape

Chapter ~
A Narrow Escape
A FAINT call from the inside of
the shack sent Marion rum
ming back. As soon as she stepped
in the door and found Ted's dark
eyes fixed on her, she knew she
had really won the battle.
For the first time, his eyes gazed
at her with a seeing look, and his
pupils dilated with surprise.
sWho - what - where am I?''
Ted tried to raise his head, but his
strength failed him, and he sank
back exhausted by even that small
effort.
Marion crossed quietly to his cot
and put q cool hand on his head.
He stu had fayer but she no long
er 6ne0untsred the hot, dry skin
she had learned to expect through
. the past week fs11 81
you muStn't. Try to talk yet, /"
she warned hhdnl You've been
very sick, but you are going to be
all right now"
For sbfnestime he pondered this,
his eyes fixed on her face.
Where's Kay?" he said finally.
Marion shook her head. Il don't
know. I can't tell you anything, so
please don't use up your strength
by asking questions. There is no
one here but me"
'How-how long," His lids
began to droop. Instead of answer
ing, Marion lightly held her hand
over his eyes, and in few min
utes his regular breathing pro-
claimed him asleep again.
Stepping to the outer door, Mar
ion drew it to, leaving it slightly
aJar and sagging on its hinges as
she had first found it. Although
she had been forced to break her
promise to her father when she
had taken in this young man, she
had scrupulously kept her word in
every other regard. Anyone COM
ing unexpectedly on the shack
would have unhesitatingly pro-
uOunced IL oeSerIeQ.
She moved quietly around the
two rooms into which the cabin
was divided, putting them in order
while she waited for the water to
boil on the single oil burner which
was her only source Of heat.
She had taken chance on build
ing q fire in the stove at night, but
with the first coming of dawn she
had put it out. so that no telltale
smoke should betray their pres
ence.
Humming a little tune in her re-
lief that her patient was out of
danger at last, Marion looked spec
ulatively at the rough planks that
boarded the windows on the out
side.
If she could only take them off
and let the sun stream in, instead
Of creeping through the cracks, il
would be so much more cheerful
She started toward the door. with a
sudden decision to obey her inn
pulse. After all, il was ridiculous
20 stay cooped up this wayl If any
searching party had been out for
this wounded puncher, 1t had evil
IDENTIFY passed by this hidden spot
long ago.
As she reached the inner door
that led TO tiny vestibule, she
suddenly stood rooted to the spot.
Her hand clutched the door frame
and her breath came fast. She lis
tened with desperate intentneSs
for a repetition of the sound she
thought she had heard. A second
later. she heard with unmistak-
able distinctregs 4 shout in the
distance, and an answering call
somewhat nearer. Ia
Don't Make A sound
GUSHING the inner door shut
4 again, Marion darted TO the oil
stove and turned 1t out, then sat
down by Ted's cot, her eyes fixed
on him, watching for any sign that
his sleep had been disturbed. With
bated breath. she waited, while
the voices drew nearer, her mind
torn by INDIGESTION.
Should she make her presence
known? II Ted had been still in
danger, she would have felt that
she must get what help she could
TO save him. But now that she was
sure he was on the road 10 recov-
cry, her first duty was to her IA
Their.
II the dread suspicion she har-
bored as to his activities was true.
IL would mean certain imprison-
ment and possible death for him II
he were taken. To find her there
would inevitably put any search
ers on his track. and they would
wait 20 take him when ne came
back.
She put one hand on Ted's fore
head and felt his pulse with the
other. There was no doubt but that
his fever was down and his pulse
much stronger.