The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-10-27
Chapter Fivesq
4 Hate That Man

Chapter Fives9
Z Hate That Man
THE road from Gallup, New
L Mexico, ran due north for nine
ty-nine miles, then following the
line Of least resistance, wound
around the base of Colorado's San
Juan range.
Kathleen was confident the first
ninety miles were the longest.
They'd wheeled into a tourist
camp after dark, tossed on inpos-
sible beds. and wheeled out before
daylight.
As the impairment nose Of their
secondhand car turned across the
tracks and headed on the last lap
of their journey, she yawned.
This will be the first sunrise
I've seen from this end of the
day." she confided.
Bridget looked at the gray, tree
less hills which merged with a
cloudy gray sky. IF any" she re-
torted.
The miles spun under the
wheels, the gray sky lowered and
the hours licked off, but not sign
OF civilization broke the monot-
ony. Soon after noon they reached
the mountains, turned off the main
highway to a dirt road which of
fered a short cut to Neutrality,
and followed it until they found a
spot where dusty cottonwood
trees waved hopefully over the
dry bed of a stream.
Here, Bridget having prepared
breakfast, Kathleen spread the
lunch she had prepared.
You're improving" Bridget az
sured her after the first bite.
"Improvingi" Knocked Kathleen.
Look at me, a scar for every day
we've been on the road. Is there
anything in Cleo Riley to remind
you OF the darling of the Gregory
clan? Did you ever before see a
Gregory with o black eye?"
Bridget laughed happily. ITS
only a pale green today" she re.
assured.
There was nothing but the color
Of her hair to remind Bridget Of
Kathleen Gregory. The upswept
couture which the newspapers had
fiannted as the first on the conti-
nent, had been sacrificed. Now the
hair curled about her head in tight
ringlets.
A few freckles had popped forth
on the aristocratic Gregory nose,
but 1t was the sinner Kathleen
had achieved by meeting cabin
door halfway, that gave her the
slightly ribald look; the sinner
and the outfit.
New Mexico had rushed the sea-
son and after one day of half
freezing they had tossed a coin to
see whether they'd unpack to the
bottom layer Of the tonneau for
winter clothes or purchase some.
A purchase was indicated but all
they could find at that nights stop
was a tiny store. From it they had
taken stacks which were brown,
pull-overs which were gray and
berets OF rich magenta.
They spent an hour resting, then
set forth with storm clouds ahead;
clouds that whirled n1enacingly
around mountain peaks, lifting to
reveal cold, white caps, then low
ering in angry darkness.
The road grew dim as they
neared the narrow, unimportant
highway which would lead them
10 Neutrality. There was an argu-
naent over whether they turned
left or right after they had ira
versed this. Again the flip of coin
and they turned left onto a SEEM
ingly one-way trail which wound
along the edge of cliff.
Tin-Can Cowboy
WITH Bridget at the wheel
w Kathleen was free to look over
the edge. Below. barely visible in
the half.light, were jagged rocks
like angry teeth, waiting for them.
AL We need now Is q fiat tire"
kUC NttOMN&Xs 49, ~ u &A
There was a sharp report and
the car swerved towards the rim.
There you are" offered Bridget,
jamming brakes.
you are too doggone aceomrno-
dating scolded Kathleen, emery
Ing gingerly from the car. .Espe-
cially as its my turn to change.
Well" she rolled up her sleeves.
'1aere goes"
Gently they coaxed the car
down the incline 20 q spot near
the hillside OF the cliff, then Kath-
leen set 70 work with jack and
monkey wrench.
Mnhfully she labored with the
heavy wheel and in the process
transferred the oil and CRIME
from the tire 10 her face. Fretfully
she worked as the storm gathered
and darkness descended. The ber-
ct. pushed back too far. fell to the
ground and was whisked away by
the wind that played havoc with
the red curls.
Bring me the Giashiight,
Bridget she pleaded. the tires
on and I'm two bolts over .
ouleks" she screamed, There's =
car coming :. nag Il down before
there was a scrunching Of tires