The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-12
Chapter 80
Unconscious Betrayal

Unconscious Betrayal
ID EAIIZING the suicidal chances
N she was taking, but refusing to
heed them, Kay urged Flicker on,
in obedience to the compelling de-
sire for speed that possessed her.
Relief at knowing Ted was safe
and not badly hurt was complete
ly overshadoWed by her fruStrat-
ed sense of loss. Her feeling was
none the less bitter for her violent
self disgust. Fool that she had
been, to let herself care for a man
who had obviously just been play
ing with herl
Probably Ted had been flatter-
ing her, and kidding her along just
the way she did Tom RunyonI And
she had taken it all seriously, and
allowed herself to dream about
him. and imagine all sorts OF vague
and delightful future possibilities.
THANK goodness that's all over,
Flicksl" She declared fiercely, find
ing relief in voicing her torturing
thoughts out loud. I've got his
measure now and I'll never think
of him again. Let them hang him
for murder if they want to!" She
broke off with a Mortified sob. mo,
no! l don't mean thatl"
She pulled Flicker in as they
came to a sharp curve in the trail
and started up steep rise. Flicker
r4<.v-v%~sI rf9nA.Fssllxy Hfa+ efrkt,I
ing and stirring restively, as
though the contagion of his mis-
tress's mood had spread to him,
setting every nerve aquiver.
Twilight was almost gone, Kay
noticed, coming out of her concen-
tration on her inner feeling to a
startled realization of the present.
She must at least get down across
the valley between the two divides
before night overlook her Fording
the stream that raced between the
two ridges was no easy thing in
full daylight, and to attempt 1t in
the dark would be an insane risk.
what do we care, Flicks?" Kay
demanded rebelliously. in answer
10 her thought She gave Flicker
sharp click of her heel, and urged
him up the slope. then headed
down again at break-neck pace
that was even more perilous than
before. in the half light.
Suddenly Flicker stumbled and
almost pitched headlong, but re-
covered in response to Kay's
gteadying pull on the reins. Before
he was able to come to a halt on
the steep descent, a large rock,
loosened from the cliff above them,
clattered down at his feet.
This proved the last straw for
Flicker's strained and quivering
nerves. With a terrified bound
sideways, he plunged and went
down on his knees, pitching Kay
over his head onto the rocky trail.
Serambiing to his feet. Flicker
jumped over the PROSTATE form Iy-
ing motionleSs in the trail before
him, and raced on in a mad rush
Of terror.
Tom Considers Matrimony
TOR some time after Kay left
L him. Tom Runyon watched her
as she threaded her way along the
trail.
Some grill" he observed aloud
with an admiring appraisal of the
perfect poise Of her 1.-the figure on
Flicker's back. The first girl I've
seen in long time that | reckon
would be a good bet to corral into
matrimonyl"
He watched for Kay's reappear-
ance around curve in the trail.
and added complacently. 'Yes,
street I've a good mind to make
her Mrs Tom Runyon. damned il
! haven't could 60 a heap far
Their and fare worse. Even If her
ranch house is burnt down, she's
got a pretty piece of property
there. he went on. Eliminating
aloud. "And she's some locker into
the bargainl"
Turning away, as Kay az last
passed out Of sight, Tom Runyon
went back TO where he had left his
horse. smile Of fatuous satisfac-
ton on his face. He never doubted
Rays acquleScence to the fiatter-
ing prospects he was entertaining
Of her future. as he went on to plan
his campaign TO win her hand.
Looks like she's kind of stuck
on this Gaynor guy" he confided
20 his mount as he headed down
the trail. But ! reckon he's pretty
Wen out Of the picture now. And
II he isn't, can soon fix that upla
he gave a conceited chuckle,
then went on with his SoliloQuy.
"AIls fair in love and warl AS soon
as | get of tomorrow. III so up the
way she asked me 10. and then I'll
hlghtall Il over to the lazy Nine
with my hndingSi And Oh. boy,
they'll be some andingsi'