The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-26

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lied, as she neared the bunk house
and saw Tom Runyon standing
talking with Seth while they
waited for the call to supper. Espe-
cially not man of Tom Runyon's
type, who was obsessed with the
idea of his own Importance, and
would be ready to jump to any
conclusion that would reflect glory
on him. And the demand of the
community for some action in run
ming down the firebug, whoever he
was, would make Runyon all the
more eager to pin the blame for
all the fires on Ted, if he suspected
that one mad act of his.
The supper bell rang just as Kay
joined the two men, and in the
general conversation at the table,
there was no chance for Runyon
to ask her the questions she was
prepared to parry as skilfully as
she could.
Talk turned on the new scheme
for building the ranch house, and
everyone was full of ideas and
suggestions.
"By the way" Seth broke in sud-
denly, ISN'T it about time Ted
Gaynor was getting back?"
ooh, meant to tell you, and !
forgot" Kay felt Tom Runyon's
eyes on her as she turned apollo
getically to Seth, I'll met him on
the mesa, and he gave me the OPP
ton he got from Old Man Warren.
It was terribly good of you and
the boys to lend thai money, so he
could clinch the bargain!"
She smiled at them, a sudden
catch in her throat and mist in her
eyes at this proof of their loyalty
"Why didn't he come in?S Seth
demanded. Il wanted to get all the
dope on it.
lie thought he'd better be get
ting on, again Kay felt the slow
color come into her cheeks, at the
insistence of Tom Runyon's look.
HE told me to tell you all about
it. She launched into the account
Ted had given her of his interview
with Old Man Warren, hoping to
divert attention from herself.
Flattery For Runyon
q LIKE that Gaynor fellow"
l Seth observed when she had
finished. @Just where did you say
you picked him up?"
Kay gave a gasp at this bad
break. Seth evidently had forgot
ten all the things she had told him
| to say to Tom Runyon about Ted.
He couldn't have put his foot in
it any worse If he had deliberately
tried.
She could see Tom Runyon's
ears pricked up to catch her an
sWer, although be pretended 10
be engrossed in conversation with
one of the boys Managing to
change her gasp into a cough, Kay
fixed her eyes firmly on Seth as
she answered.
'sWhy, I've told you about him
before, Seth You don't pay atten-
ton to what ! say half the tinel"
Under her teasing tone, her voice
held significant reminder.
He's the one who has been
helping me decide on some of the
timber land I've been wanting to
buy even before the house
burned down" She turned to Tom
Runyon with politely explana-
tory air. i've been thinking we
ought to add some more timber
land to the ranch
There's nothing much but scrub
growth on that ridge where met
you, he observed.
That's just the conclusion Ted
arrived at. Kay looked up at Tom
Rtlnyon with catering admiration.
I'm sorry he isn't here. You and
he would enjoy talking together.
where's he gomez"
Just yesterday, he decided to
really join up with the outfit" Kay
explained, "and he's gone back to
bring his mother and sister to the
other little cabin like mine"
Il see" Tom Runyon's black
eyes fastened themselves specuIa-
lively on Kay
He's the one who has got us
started with this idea of building
the ranch house and barn oGr-
selves, she ratified on nervously.
SO it's lucky he is a regular mem-
Der ct the outfit now"
Sure Is" Seth agreed heartily,
/ pushing back his chair and rising
to his feet "We'll need all the
hands we can get on this job.
There was q Scraping of chairs
Is the others followed suit.
How about taking me on" Tom
Runyon suggested, with q fiatter-
ing eye bent on Kay.
You're too valuable right where
you are, : she countered gaiiy. "Tsm
counting on you 10 keep M new
timber land from burning down. !"
That's right Tom Runyun
promptly succaiinbed to the fat
terry.
With a relieved feeling that she
had safely Steered him away from
the dangerous interest he was
manifesting in Ted, Kay sauntered
out into the twilight with him. But
her relief was short lived. No
sooner had they stepped out OF the
mess shack than Tom Runyon took
posscssive hold Of her arm.
How about that little talk we
were going to have
With ! resigned, "All right, :
Kay let herself Be guided 10 the
cabin.
FcopnriaAt 1851. sfas9s a. Nsveae63