The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-26
Chapter II
Seih Makes A Sir


HAY felt all her first suspicious
N about the ranch fire revive, but
she remembered Dan Steele's
warning and held her peace. While
this Tom Runyon seemed all right,
and a kindly and genial enough
person, she didn't really know any
thing about him, so it would pay to
60 slow.
If he wanted to 60 ahead inves-
tigating on his own initiative, he
might unearth something that
would give some foundation for
her suspicion of Josh Hastings. But
while she must be very careful not
to voice the direction in which her
suspicious lay, there was one point
on which she must set him straight
right away.
81 am absolutely certain that
Seth and our outfit are above slIs-
ricion," she stated positively, so
u you're looking for foul play, you
can count them out from the start.
Maybe" He nodded his APP
prevail Of her loyalty. But when
you're starting out to look for clues
you can't be handicapped by any
1oregone conclusions. You just
leave the investigating to me. All
want you to do is to answer few
questions"
Gladly - but let's wait until
after supper" Kay leaned against
the side Of the cabin for a second,
overcome by sudden weary faint
ness.
Tom Runyon sprang to put a
steadying hand on her arm.
whats the matter?" he inquired
snxiously. you look all inl"
Nothing" Kay Strengthened up
and smiled at him. s-'nl just a little
tired, / guess. I'll be all right as
soon as / get something to eat! You
20 on up to the bunk house and I'll
Join you IN a minute. I'm eating
with the boys, until can get my
own housekeeping arrangements
rugged up. You'll stay for supper,
Of course?" she added, as he hesi-
tAted a moment.
That's mighty good Of you. I'd
be glad to. Only. look herel Who
was that you were riding in witn?"
Kay paused at the cabin door,
her eyebrows raised In surprise. A
slight flush came into her cheeks as
she answered his question. After
all, there was no point In making
q mystery about being with Ted.
"That was Ted Gaynor, the man
was with up on the ridge" To her
annoyance, she flushed still more,
as she caught Tom Munyon's keen,
speculative look at her heightened
color.
ooh, yes. Well, he's just the one
! wanted to ask you about. But
Wen wait until after supper"
Before Kay could answer, he
turned and made for the bunk
house.
As she washed her face and
hands, she tried to reason herself
out OF the queer, paflicky feeling
that suddenly took possession of
her. The dark premonition that she
had had when she said goodby to
Ted swept over her again.
Don't be a fool she scolded
her image in the mirror as she
xuthlessly tugged comb through
her tangled curls. You're just let-
ting your nerves run away with
youl What could possibly happen
10 hln17 Especially, II YOU keep
your head, and don't let Tom Rum
yon's first suspicious start up
again."
Supper Conversation
pRACED by the thought that
- It was up to her to protect Ted,
Kay walked slowly up to the bunk
house. planning what she would
say.
Any thoughts were welcome, as
long as they pushed into the back
ground her horrible experience Of
the afternoon. Instead of allowing
herself TO dwell on that, she con-
centrated on the memory Of the
magnificent way Ted had come to
her rescue.
II her first sntuitive judgment Of
hin, Ia spite of the danning con-
difion Of their meeting, had needed
any bolsterings she certainly had
had II there.
She understood exactly how des-
perafion for those he loved had
driven him 70 feel justified III de-
siroysng some timber Tor the sake
q saving human lives. He had been
perfectly right in saying that IN
burning OF the ridge he had chosen
ho would have done no actual dams
nRe 10 any one. Il would have de-
etroyed a second scrub growth Of
timber. but could easily have been
kept under eontrol.