The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-08-27
Chapter 30


@4A AA40 Gil - ~ ~ - ~ .su%NB
guess there's one or two things you
amt found out. Evidently Street
er's identity's one of EN-. Did you
ever hear Of Blur Ankrom?"
What about him?"
well, this Streeter's himl An
you can take II from me that baby
can get a hog leg into action
quicker'n hell could scorch a
teatherl"
'Were you giving me that infOr-
nation for some special reasOn?"
His hsbitual caution stirred the
smoky gray of Ratchford's eyes.
He hedged, Il kind Of figured you'd
want to know"
oh" Claydell expelled cloud
o. smoke Through it he eyed the
sheriff coldly. You thought Id
want TO know. Ell? It strikes me
this sudden sOlicitude on your
parts rather odd. Ratchford, You
an l amt never hit It off together
very well as | recall"
Let's be frank, ClaydeII You
an me both figure on gettin'
Trone's spread"
Nothing was to be read upon
Claydell's face. His yellow eyes
displayed no more emotion than
twin bits Of cOlored glass. There
was nothing left for RatchfOrd but
TO 60 on.
you an me-" he repeated. "are
both out 70 smash the Rafter 7.
/ know what you're thinking
you're thinking that I'm after that
railroad money and the chance tC
rear boom town along its tracks.
/ sm-Pll put my cards on the
table. | know what you're after.
too So that makes us event"
Claydell took the information
calmly. "Indeed?" was all he said.
Ratchford. gathering his nerve
In both hands. remarked:
Knowing all this, and knowing
therefore that our interests cannot
possibly clash. | suggest We JON
fOrCes-rub AnkrOm out an take
the ranch. I'll marry the girl sos
TO make sure there amt no hitch
an"
He broke of in mid-sentence as
Clsydell came to his feet, a .33
Fripped ominouSly in his fist. its
rnuzzle pointing at the sheriff 5
stomach.
ClaydelTs thin lips barely
moved. yet his words were plainly
audible Get ont. you rat. before
I forget myself"
There was light burning in the
rsnchhouse living room when An
krom and Windy brakcd the car
TO a halt before the veranda. AS
Windy reached out TO switch off
the ignition Ankrom, leaning to-
ward him. asked:
When you left for town tonight
we're the boys still out on the
range"
Windy nodded
Ankrom took out his silver
watch and held it beneath the dash
lamp. He saw that the hands point
ed 10 2 A VI. Returning the bat
tered time piece to his pocket. An
krom thrust his legs across the
door and over the cars side.
Put the can up. Windy. get your
rife an go sit in a shadow where
you can keep your eyes open. Most
anything's liable to happen round
here before mornin'."
Ankrom crossed the veranda
and opened the door
As he moved down the narrow
hall and came abreast the living
room door. he heard a voice he
recognized: a mans vOiCe-Clay-
dell's. It ceased abruptly and An
krom knew he had been heard
Deliberately he opened the door.
Gold White Face
FACING him he beheld the six
4 foot frame Of the boss of Swing
ing J. Claydell's high bOned face
was taut. there was a lcveled six
gun in his hand. But as he saw
AnkrOm. a grave smile crossed his
long dark face and. relaxing, he
returned his gun to the shoulder
holster beneath his coat.
Ankrom'S glance passed beyond
him, 20 the cold white face Of Lee.
Her cheeks. he noted, we're color
less. and there were dark circles
beneath her eyes as though she
had been crying. But she was not
crying now.
Stepping clear Of Claydell's pro
tectlng form, she said: What are
YOU doing here? / did not think
YOU would have the impertinence
70 return Why have you Gomez"
The contempt in her soft voice
hurt far worse than had her quirt
before the cabin
he WINGED when Claydeu said,
you nights well let him stay,
Lee. After all. We're short on fight
ing men
Her jade-green eyes flashed hot
with fierce. defiant light 4 don't
need men like him"
Tire lines in Ankvom'S face deep
ened. There's nothin' ! can say,
ma'sm-except that I'm sorry for
what I said this afternoon. Sayin
that I'm sorry don't mean a heap
/ reckon. But I've come back here
to"
I've heard enough" she broke
In coldlv. There IS one thing you
can d. for me. Just one Go your
way-but don't come back here
gter."
Some ~ thc deep bronze washed
cut " Ankrom's cheeks I'd sort
II hate 70 think you meant that
na'sm. There was pleading in his
glance
ABOUT WOMEN