The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-08-04

he Dude J. Dead

-DDD LOkD,' cooked voice
- "a girls voice. ITS Colonel
St-gtoers.'
i was. Aakrou had known ii
instantly.
Hold this lantern. somebody,
Ratchf0rd groWied. and thrust il
into AnkrOm s hands The sheriff
then dropped - his knees beside
Aelton Dream form. When Ratch-
ford got 10 his feet. his eyes met
ArkroIn s sQuarelv
Pretty quick" he said, we're
"a going r. saunter over to the
house an 20 inside an stay there
until daylight Meantime. I don't
want 70 catch anyone trampin'
round over by that clubhouse.
Ihls Strutaers dude is dead
4 heavy sigh reached Ankrom's
ears It came from q man beside
him. Looking up Ankrom saw that
lie man was Trone. The ranch
ers face looked haggard: his
hands were clamped so tightly
about his belt that their knuckles
stood out ike Jumps Of chalk.
Then Ankrom saw Zee Trone.
Betty stood beside her. Lees face
he thought a trihe pale but her
eyes were bright with interest
little horror was in them. too.
Betty s eyes were like burnt holes
% white cOuuterpane: Just now
the rouge upon her checks gave
Ter face CHASTITY appearance.
Daddy - Daddy, it's Daddur'
There were tears and laughter in
her voice, and the laugh ran thin
with hysteria. She sWayed and
EnkTOm sprang TO catch her: he
scooped her up IL his arms and
strobe angrily toward the house.
Behind ham came Ratchford's
voice. "Trone, you an the others
better 90 along, too. I'll be with
you IN q minute"
Lengthening his step to hold his
led, Ankrom grittcd hercely.
You little fool"
They were close to the ranch
house now and light from the un-
shaded windows showed Betty's
eyes come swiftly open. Don't
scold me-please. / had to see you.
I've got 10 talk with you alone
right away"
Wen get no chance now" An
krom cut IN gruffiy That sheriff
nObOdys damn clown He made
sure this wasn't no bluff by sendin'
them others with us. What did you
want 70 talk 10 me about?"
She got a hand inside her dress.
When II came out il held a gun.
As Ankr0m carried her into the
house and laid her on a sofa. she
held the gun cut 10 him anxiously.
Quick-take it, You'll have to get
I'D Of II for me. i"
did you shoot Dream"
Il had 10 He wouldn't have
missed you the second time" Her
eyes grew large again. filed with
apprehension. "Quick-put it out
81 sight The others are comingl"
They were Ankrom heard their
steps upon the veranda. Hastily he
thrust the weapon-a short bar
relied .32-out Of sight beneath
his coat And none too soon.
In This Room
7 EE TRONE came into the room.
her father and the others be-
hind her. Ankrom lifted a hand
20 push back hls hat and found has
forehead moist. Gosh" he said
She keeled right over. didn't
shc2"
Lee looked oddly at the girl with
the closed eyes who lay so Imply
on the sofa. al get some water"
she said.
Poor kid" Old Man Trone
heaved a sigh. Pretty tough on
her. havin her father shot down
like that The two punchers stood
behind him. looking on with in
terest hats IN hand, mouths open.
Ankrom saw that TroneS glance.
resting upon him. held a CLEAN
q something he could not define.
Clearing his throat Trone said.
Did ! understand you TO tell the
sheriff someone took a shot at you.
Sfrectcr7"
Someone shot a cigarette cut
q my mouth, yeah"
Pretty good shooting for night
work. don't YOU thinke"
Depends. ! was lghtn the c.g-
arctic I'd say ! made a pretty far
target"
DO you think the same man
fred both shots-the one at you