The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-20

TO this former encounter, she felt
her heart beating fast, with sud-
den fear.
Not fear for herself, because he
wouldn't dare modest her in any
way. But fear that Josh Hastings
might have sent him on to make
an offer to Old Man Warren, and
foil her plan to get the necessary
timber to rebuild her house and
barn.
Scanning his face as he came
toward her in the vain effort to
read his purpose in his expression,
Kay steeled herself to meet the
situation with all the cunning al
her command.
There was a chance, of course,
that he was simply on his way to
town with no thought of Old Man
Warren in his mind, and that all
her fears were groundless. In that
case, she must just play him along,
and not show any anxiety.
Say, this IS what I call luck!"
Kay instinctively disliked his
raSping voice, and the bold way
he eyed her, as he drew up beside
her. Il spotted you a long ways
back, he went on, "and reckoned
as we both seemed to be headed
for town, we might as well 60
along together. But it took some
catching upl What's all the rush,
Cutter"
Kay's eyes blazed at his familiar
manner. but. she controlled her
anger, and forced herself to pre-
tend she hadn't noticed his inn
pudent form of address.
Il am IN rather a rush." she
answered, $50 I'm afraid / won't
be very agreeable companion.
You probably won't want to keep
up my pace, so I'll 90 on ahead
Naughty as ever, eh?"8 His
laugh ha5 a harsh, disagreeable
note. "Weli, I reckon ! can keep
any pace you set.
Kay bit her lip as she tried to
decide what would be best to do.
If he hadn't been sent after her
by Josh Hastings, it would be bet
ter to put up with his company
rather than have any argument
about it. After all. the main point
was to get to Red River as soon
as possible. And even if he was
planning on seeing old Man War
rem it would be the lesser of two
evils to have him arrive with her,
rather than to beat him to it.
The fact that he had caught UP
with her instead of trying to pass
her and race ahead, somewhat al
layed her fears about Josh Has
tings' completely in the matter. So,
deciding to make the best of the
situation, she accepted his COM
pany with as good a grace as she
could muster.
"All right. if you want hard
gallop." IN spite of herself, Kay
couldn't keep her dislike entirely
out of her tone, and she saw an
ugly fash come into his eyes, and
his mouth twist into a sheer.
Without waiting for an answer,
Kay picked up Flicker's reins, and
touched him with her heel. He shot
ahead, impatient to be off after the
delay, and Like a flash put some
distance between Kay and her UNI
welcome escort, who had been
somewhat slower in starting.
Hoping that the man had taken
her hint. and was going to let her
30 ahead alone after all, Kay bent
forward and gently urged Flicker
ahead.
Helplessly Pinioned
a SUDDEN whirring sound made
"A her start and straighten in the
saddle with instant alarm. But be-
fore she could make any further
move, she felt the loop Of a lariat
drop over her shoulders.
The next instant it frightened,
and Flicker started at the sudden
check. springing to one side as Kay
made a desperate effort to free
herself. Thrown off her balance,
and held helpless by the rope pin
ioning her arms to her sides, she
swayed in the saddle, and then
felt everything grow black as she
crashed to the ground.
Il was only a minute or two be-
fore she came 10 herself AGAIN, but
in that interval the FLYING Six
puacher had plenty Of time 10 en-
ish the job of tying her securely
and rendering her absolutely help
less.
As Kay opened her eyes, stung
into consciousness BY the sharp
pain of the ropes that cut cruelty
into her wrists and ankles, she
found him standing over her with
a gloating, jeering expression that
filed her with a sinking fear.
Resolutely forcing back her
panic. she summoned all her wits
and courage TO her aid. Her only
safety lay in getting q mental adj
vantage over her assailant. ANY
sign of fear and she would be lost.
Struggling into a sitting posi-
ton. she fixed him with blazing
eyes. How dare you do this2" she
demanded, her voice firm with
sudden outraged anger that actu-
ally did. for The moment, dispel
her fear. Cut me loose at once, il
you don't want a necktie party
when my outfit knows Of this OUT
rage"
He laughed softly as his narrow
gray eyes travelled with leisurely
elaboration from her head to her
feet.
fesnsrtehf. 1857. Marss de- Nsru4nd1
TED decides to nafl down thns ep-
lien for Hay. tomorrow.
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