The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-10-25
the dark ships /
~ HVLnERT FooTAER 1870, y -

| for the poor wretch. Don't go,
he said. This ugly business will
soon be over and we can all get a
fresh start"
"You cam" said Eyster. 81 wish
you luck"
''Well, anyhow, stick around for
awhile, and we'll talk things over"
"All right" said Eyster.
However, within an hour he had
disappeared. Neil never saw him
again.
Since the jail at Kings Green
was not suitable for the confine-
ment of so important a prisoner,
Kettering was carried up to Bal
timore to await trial. After he was
taken away, the village of Absa-
Ions snapped back into its former
calm, broken only by the arrival
of the weekend fishing parties.
Virgil Longcope, however, had no
notion of wasting the worldwide
publicity of the case. Virgil and
Neiu made it up between them
that Neil was to suppress his
share in solving the case, so that
the whole credit might go to Mark
Bonniger.
There is a Democratic caucus
next week." said Virgil. 'I'll pre-
sent Marks name as our candidate
for state senator, and it will be
carried with hurrah. Not only
with the Democrats, but with
every voter in the county. At one
and the same time we will make
the Republicans look sick and get
us a Bonniger for our leader Just
as it used to be, in the old days.
After he's elected, I'm figuring
that he'll see the need Of getting
married and carrying the family
on
"You are looking long way
ahead" said NELL grinning.
Its my motto" said Virgil.
When Kettering's safe deposi.
box was opened, and they united
the little package they found IN
it, flood of shining diamonds,
emeralds, rubies and sapr, -ires
poured out. Tanning had put alt
his ill-gotten gains into unset jew
els, as a currency easy to Gerry
around, and good the world over.
All this reverted to the estate Of
Miss Rayner. BY will she had left
everything to found home for
INDECENT gentlewomen. So the old
ladies got it. The yacht was sold
and the proceeds added to the
fund.
Ira Buckles left Baltimore
breathing threats against Nell for
having fooled him. However
Neills business lad won him
many an enemy Of Buckles kid
ney, and he knew how to take care
of himself.
On Ronniger's Porch
At Absalom's, Neill and Janet
n were followed by a cheering
mob wherever they went. To give
them a little peace, Bonniger car
ried them off to his old square
house on a hill above the POGO
nico. He locked the gate of his
place and, as the gate was a mile
from the house, they were not
troubled by unwanted visitors.
On the evening of the day after
the general showdown had taken
place, the three of them sat on the
porch OF the old mansion slipping
mint juleps inifrosted glasses, and
looking at the glorious panorama
of the river and its hills. Strange
" enough, they did not find much
to say. It was sufficient just to be
sitting there together.
After a silence, Bonniger said,
well, anyhow, one good thing
has come out Of this sorry bust.
ness"
What's that?" asked Neill.
"A friendship that will last as
long as we do
Lets drink to it."
They raised their glasses.
Bonniger said, with his dry
smile:
Virgil wants me % run foF
state senator,
Well, you will, won't your
= 0h, ] reckon SO. I've got a taste
for excitement now.
This old house needs d mis-
tress. nlurmured Janet,
Find me one, " said Bonniger.
You haven't got a twin. ] sup
poser"
Pretty soon Bonniger rose with
a transparency busy expression.
saying that he must 20 look IT Il
pigs. Everything had gone to rack
and ruin during the past four days.
he said. He disappeared into the
house.
Neln moved closer TO Janet and
drew her arm under his.
rs your yen for independence
satisfied" he asked.
All, don't make fun of mel I
was such fo0lsa
''Oh. that's al right" said Neill.
II you weren I fool I'd be az too
great disadvantage"
"Idiotl''
You haven't answered my cues
ton yet
what have you in mind for
me-"
Marriage
Janet looked away. but he
could still see the edge of q smile
in her cheek. Not a half bad idea"
she said airlly.
"Tanet,n he cried. ~You scsIil /
thought il only meant another a.
gunent.
I'm not going to argue any
more
'Qh. don1 say that. I'd miss n"
We'll Just as you ike"