The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-11-21
Chapter 20
Fire In The Mine


Chapter 20
Fire In The Mine
SpUT didn't she learn to love
II grandfather in timer" Kath-
leen asked Balmy.
There was no time. The cabin
was divided, the houses built
When Angus brought Donna
Emilia 70 his house as a bride. Mac
Donald brought Scotch lass to
his. He'd nae suffer their pity.
Then Angus went east to find
money to finance his mine: long
journey those days. He was de-
tanned month after month. Donna
Emilia's old father became iii and
died. and she died from overwork
and grief when your father was
Kathleen sighed deeply. "She
was cruel" she condemned. "She
could at least have pretended"
Balmy smiled at Kathleen. mae
more than you lass, you're much
like her. Your pride and your
spirit II you'd given your heart
once, as she'd given hers to lad
In Barcelona. there'd be nought
left to give to another"
The tears came gently. Balnny
seeing them went into the house.
Vaguely Kathleen heard him NOV
ing about. starting q fire, speaking
to the old shepherd. but she re-
NAMED, not bothering to wipe her
eyes, feeling some Of the bitter
ness Of her defeat was being
washed away. She had given her
heart to Donald. 10 seemed there
was none left for even herself.
Come lass, nae supper you've
had"
The little kitchen was cozily
warm, and rich with savory
aroma. Kathleen tried to eat to
please Balmy, but she found only
the tea would really pass the con-
striction in her throat. Meanwhile
her mind reviewed the story she
had just heard.
aBalmy," she ventufed, at
length. nf my grandmother loved
this man in Spain. and not Mac
Donald. why did grandfather COM
tinue TO hate him?"
Balmy sighed deeply. she willed
70 believe IL was MacDo ]
gave him the truth she had spoken
on her deathbed. yet he would not
AaftaxvA EIofS ncpss,.waI ,,n a ala.
tlre Of his former friend as his
rival and he suffered accordingly.
All Of the rich velvets and tapes
tries she had kept through her
poverty, be had torn from the
walls and packed away. Only the
photograph she had posed for on
their wedding day was left to re-
mind him Of her. even Young
Angus was sent away :. what's
that?" he asked sharply.
Kathleen smiled. family amused
at his alarm, and the sudden
wrenohing Of her heart. sMacDon.
AIDS ear going up the hill. Balmy.
what is 10 I've never seen you
nervous before. what's wronR?"
81 don't know. lass" he adj
mitted in an almost petulant voice.
II seem to be waiting something
He went 70 the door and stood q
moment. then turned back. "For
half a century I've lived in the
bowels of this earth. I've learned
its moods. for II has moods Ike
the air end the sea. feel now Ike
the captain Of the ship that brought
me from Glasgow. We stood talk
ing on as fair q day as you'd ever
see and he frowned sudden and
said be felt a storm. l feel that way
now. lass. ! feel q storm
Slowly Kathleen cleared the
table and washed the dishes.
Waliing Siren
THE Macdonald car went back
i down the hill at breakneck
speed. Evidently Donald had for
gotten some vital need Of the cele-
bration feast Maybe She should
10 back and Join them. Her abb
senee would hurt Bridget throw
q cloud on this one evening OF III
evenings.
She would be gay and fiippant
She could ). now, And she could
see Donald again for Just little
while. Imprint each dear line Of
his face on her memory.
Perhaps Bridget had not yet
found her note.
"Balmy. / was running away be-
cause I ! couldn't face Bridget
and Donald and their happiness.
l didn't think how my absence
WOULD hurt them, ] was thinking
Of no one but myself. I'll run down
again In a little while"
AYE"
Kathleen felt he hadn't heard
her. She turned 10 look at him and
saw him spring up and rush 10 the
door. There II isl" he cried.
hoarsely.
Kathleen followed him. She
heard 1t now. a siren wailing over
the hills.
what Is Il Balmy, where Is itf"
An accident :. at the mines
hushIs