The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-09-03

of it."
In as few and as gentle words as
possible, Ted told Marion of his
finding of her father. Then, to give
her time to get a grip on herself,
after the first shock of sorrow, he
went on to describe his meeting
with Josh Hastings, and the subSe-
quent events.
It was Kay's turn to shudder at
the thought of the narrow escape
Ted had had. But she did not waste
any time on the past. as her mind
flew to the immediate future.
"Where did you leave him?" she
demanded. 1--WE must get right
backl He might die or escape or
something!"
"He had a mean blow on the
head. but / don't think he'll die"
Ted answered. "And there's no
chance of his escaping! He's well
out of the fire line, with this shift
of wind, but I doubt if he knows it.
BY the time we get back, reckon
he'll be ready to tell anything he
knows, rather than risk being left
behind"
"Comel" Marion turned and led
the way up the slope. "Ted's future
is the thing to think of nowi Not
my poor Dad. His troubles are
over, and you're right--it is far
better" Her voice broke with a
sob, but she pushed bravely on,
with Ted and Kay on either side OF
her. "How did Josh Hastings ever
happen to be there?" she asked
finally, with a determined change
of subject.
Search mel" Ted began. but
Kay interrupted.
HE must have been looking for
Zeke Farley and his posse" she ex-
claimed. Shorty said he'd gone
out to join them"
81 reckon Zeke Farlev's given up
looking for me right now, and has
Joined the fire fighting gang" Ted
observed. "Josh Hastings likely
came to the same conclusion, and
was on his way to find him."
He stopped as the slope became
sleeper, and saved his breath for
the climb, leading the way as they
fell into single file up the rocky
ledge. The sky behind them was
weirdly lighted with a lurid glare
which permeated the darkness,
spreading out in a pinkish glow
over their heads.
Want The Truth
4 FTER some desperately difficult
"A scrambling, Ted paused to take
his bearings.
'It must have been about here
that ! left that cayuse Of mine.
Wait a second" He left them, and
reappeared a few minutes later,
leading his horse. ''Now you can
have easier going"
Motioning the two girls to get
on, he led the way south along the
crest of the ridge. After half hour
or so. he stopped and gave a long
"Whoopeel"
There was faint answer in the
distance.
'He's there all right" Ted de-
clared with relief in spite of his
former confident assertion that
Josh Hastings couldn't escape
them.
Another 10 minutes, and they
came out on the ridge where Ted
had left his would-be assassin. A
string of oaths and imprecations
greeted them as they picked their
way through the underbrush, but
Ted cut him peremptorily short.
i've brought my witnesses" he
announced CURLY, and the next
minute they all came out on Josh
Hastings, who peered up at the
two girls with incredulous amaze
ment.
"Where in hell"
'Never mind that" Ted inter-
rupted sharply. He pulled a note
book and pencil out of his pocket.
''Now. then. Repeat what you said
back there!"
Josh Hastings mouth twisted. Il
don't know what you mean"
ooh. yes. you dol" Ted's eyes
narrowed. "And unless You come
across, I'll leave you here for the
cremation you missed before"
From his place on the ground,
bound hand and foot. Hastings
struggled up to a sitting position.
$50. you still want me to lie. TO
save your neck. and put my own in
the nooSel" he sneered. with one
eye on Kay to measure the effect
of his words. "Td rather take a
chance on the fret"
Il don't want any lies" Ted
countered II want the truth about
how you killed Scrap johnson, and
framed me for it. And I'm going to
get it," He made a move toward
his gun.
Josh Hastings gave a harsh
laugh. eco ahead and get il. thenl
And I'll have witnesses to prove
you got il by extortionl"
Copyright. 1857. Merle De Nerrowd)
Josh Hastings. refusing 20 confess,
! suffers \ stroke, tomorrow.