The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-16
Chapter Nine
Fighting It Out

GUSHING in the bright red doors
of Kelly's so-called soft
drink parlor," Ted entered large
square room that had all the ear
marks Of an old time bar room,
from brass rail to sawdust on the
door.
Several groups of men were
seated at the square pine tables,
and at the far end of the bar
leaned the two punchers Ted had
followed. They were still chuck
ling at their joke and Mike Kelly
grinned in sympathy as he stood
behind the bar, polishing a glass
and waiting for their mirth to
subside enough for them to give
an ineligible order.
His blood boiling at the Ger
tainty that Kay was the subject
Of their coarse hIlarity, Ted
stepped up to Them and pe-emp-
torily tapped the shoulder of the
man who had done the whisper
ing. .,.ffea a.
I'm giving you notice to cut
out the mention of the young
iady's name in this or any other
public place" Ted's voice had a
drawing intensity that made no
effort to veil the threat beneath
his words.
The man swung around, sur
prise and anger lighting UP his
mean gray eyes. They were set
closely on either side Of a thin
nose that was disfigured by a
badly set break in the bone.
you don't sayl" His eyes trav-
eled significantly to Ted's belt,
with its empty holster. and just
what's goin' to stop me?" He fin
gered his own gun and laughed
disagreeably. Reckon you need a
lessonl"
''Cut that out, Scrapl" Mike
Kelly's voice matched the bulldog
expression that wiped out his
genial grin, and proclaimed him a
man who was master Of his own
domain.
mo pulling on an unarmed man
In my joint, he declared. you can
get outside if there's going to be
any of that kind Of play"
Mike Sees To Fair Play
THE man addressed as Scrap
1 took his hand away from his
gun With another sneering laugh,
as his eye measured Ted's emaci-
ated figure and drawn face, which
still held the lines Of his recent
privations and despairing defeat
against overwhelming odds. Then
he insolently turned his head away
from Ted, and addressed his COM
panion again:
Looks like the little red headed
lilly had picked herself up q kind
Of scrawny new champion from
somewheres."
No sooner were the words out
than Ted's fist crashed under
Scraps jaw with a force that
snapped his head back and made
him stagger away from the bar.
The next instant he recovered
himself and with a roar of rage
reached for his gun. But Mike
Kelly had been too quick for him.
Foreseeing the inevitable outcome,
he had reached across the counter
and snatched Scraps gun from his
holster IN that moment of inaction
when Scrap had staggered back
from Ted's surprise attack.
I'm keeping this for you" Mike
Kelly announced. "Go ahead and
g il ont mpn - man II you've
get to" 8k|
Are you sdk Is swear of
from naent|6nine that young
LACY nafne q II Tou want some
rpfes Ted faced his painting op-
uHelit Who lie for the moment
isa been delIe Ted 10 Mike Kelly.
These words swept Scrap back to
the real issue at hand.
Like he'll / amls he reared,
making a lunge.
Ted deity side-stepped ana
came back with left that carried
as vicious a wallop as his right
had. Before ScraE had time 10 re-
cover, Ted closed In with an up
percut- The next instant they were
locked in a rigid hold.
As the sweating fighters rocked
back and forth, the quickly-gath-
cred crowd watched with breath
less interest and offered advice.
Ted tore his right free and ham,
mered away at close quarters.
Gradually he felt Scraps knees
begin to give. He knew the mo-
rnent had come. Breaking away
with one mighty jerk. Ted stepped
back. spotted a corner on Scraps
chin and LEI loose. He connected.
Scrap crashed 20 the floog with
q cultural croak. Ted heard the
crowd cheer as he kneit beside the