The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-11-14
Chapter 20
Stalemafe

Chapter 20
Stalemate
THE days passed and Kathleen
= watched her father from the
windows of the lodge, unable IA
signal him without. attracting
Mrs. MacDonald,s attention. and
held back from revealing her
identity by some unanalyzed fear.
Saturday afternoon she was
startled to see Kit-Smyth drive
up, deposit Old Balmy, and this
during his shift hours, then drive
away again.
Anxiously she waited. Balny
was there only a short time, then
away he went towards the mines.
Flooding through the snow with
q determined step. A few moments
later Angus Gregory catapulted
after him. They met on the trail.
and against the white background
the black of Angus Gregory's flgr
ure was eloquent of anger. His
arms shot out and up and all but
came down on the motionleSs
figure Of Old Balmy. And then the
Gregory hands were clasped be-
hind the Gregory back and Angus
stalked home.
And that seems to be that" mur-
INJURED Angus Gregory's daughter.
Balmy won't give in" She sighed
half in relief. half in worry.
She would see the old man the
next afternoon. Bridget and she
were scheduled to have tea with
him as usual. In the meantime
there was to be a dance at The
Macdonald Hotel.
Wayne had seen to it that they
would attend.
Donald and Norman offered to
act as further escorts and Mrs.
Macdonald snilingly told them
she felt sure they would need .
chaperone,
Wayne arrived early. saw the
simple street frocks and ex-
claimed; "Oh you amt dressed
yet"
She revealed she was properly
frocked in rose colored satin.
The girls exchanged glances and
hurried upstairs. They had brought
formals for such an emergency.
Kathleen dressed with q sense OF
triumph. For once she could ap-
pear before Donald Macdonald as
herself. With the cloudy weather
the freckles were disappearing.
her hair was growing long. q damp
comb and Bridget,s deft fingers
had faid q smooth wave in the
Furnished depths.
Mrs. Macdonald, looking up as
Kathleen entered. caught her
breath and discreetly lowered her
eyes. That simple gown Of gold
cloth might deceive the eyes OF q
man as to its cost, but not those OF
@ woman who knew and purchased
nothing but exclusive models.
She glanced at her son. He was
staring at Kathleen as though he'd
never really seen her before. aI'm
. romantic old fool" thought his
mother.
Kathleen was also watching Mrs.
Donaldis son. and what she
saw pleased her. He strobe to-
wards ner both arms outstretched.
caught her hands IL. his and smiled
down at her. Faith. We fair blind
my eyes" he said softly.
But Donald claimed the first
dance with Bridget Mayme's "bov
friend" took Kathleen for the Sec
ond. Norman having taken the
first and looked over her shoulder
10 where Donald's head was low
cred to Bridget's.
Ruined Evening
EVENTUALLY she found herself
= IN Donald's arms-strone. sure
arms thu guided her deity about
tie crowded noor. For Z little while
nhe kouf8 forget ssis, being 4 Mac
DouaId. ave herself up 10 the sen-
spous music the exquisite rapture
e. melody and Rhythm.
I've always considered the
phrase, you dance divinely.' .
clich3 invented tor glg0los." MUIR
INJURED gounR Macdonald.
Kathleen leaned back to look up
into the dark blue disturbing eyes.
-And nowIH she asked. expec-
family.
Macdonald looked away abrupt
", And now. since dancing with
bsldEst. know It's been under
1T does make . difference with
whom ones dancing, doesn't Itfe
she Quaried sweatly and came
down On his foot with . vicious
stomp Of her spike heel.
The evening was ruined Tor both
ef than. Donald nursed . bruised
snstep and Kathleen 3 hriise she
eo0ldn'k locate. Il wasn't pride. Il
want deeper than that
mat might the formal gown, Q
csearded mass lsft on the floor.
she erepk into bed determined TO
rVturn 20 New York with her
father. She hnped he'd gain the
necessary proof OF claim priority
sFem Halny and ssuae down those
aamned NacDonalds' source Of
tacoma.