The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-07-12
TWO AGAINST LOVE


Gramp. hObbiing On his cTutch-
es, tagged by Betsy ana Tex, ma
terfaIized before their eyes. Gret-
chen snatched Betsy into her arms
and covered the bewildered child'e
face with kisses.
"You worried US to death. GRAM
pa Mrs. Mack scolded, tears rum
ming down her face. where mere
you all niQht?"
well Gramp stopped to
relieve himself Of tobacco Juice,
then continued BETSY came
a-runnin' in and says there's q
fire and she's scared. She wants TO.
get out o. the house. / couldn't do
no good with these here legs o,
mine, so Just up and takes her
and Tex down to that empty cot.
tage way of on t'other side q the
driveway, and we Jest naturally
went to sleep. That's all.
Tally broke In quietly: Il got
burned little. folks :. you bet
ter get me doctor.
He fell to the ground before any
one could catch him.
Once more that night q siren
shrilled through the fog and drew
up at Seacliff. The ambulance doc
tor made superficial examina-
ton, frowned, and ordered Tally
removed to the hospital in Santa
Barbara.
Jocelyn spoke to the doctor be-
fore going into TalIy's room few
hours later.
He's burned badly about the
face and arms" be told her. He
has q high fever and his condition
is, to say the least, dangerous"
'Not- -not-he won't die?" she
pleaded.
II don't think SO. He's healthy.
Young. He's still Unconscious.
though"
81 won't disturb him, Doctor.
Just-just let me stay in the room
until he-he is out Of danger"
7 Do Love You
TOCELYN stayed three days In
y the hospital. When, after long
hours beside the bandaged man
she dropped with fatigue, she let
the nurse lead her to bed In the
room next to his. And In those
three days she learned the truth In
her heart. No longer, IL Tally lived,
would she stand back and let IN
other woman take him. She would
fight for him. Fight with every
weapon woman possessed
The morning Of the fourth day
Nola stood in the doorway Of his
room and looked at Jocelyn with
wondering eyes. You haven't
been home at all" she said.
Joceiyn advanced toward her, o
declaration of war written on her
determined face.
"I'm not coming home,s she
announced. I'm going 20 stay .aere
until he's out of danger. Then I'm
going to tell him I love himl Nola,
| don't care how much you want
him-I'm going to try and marry
him the minute he can sign his
name to an1arriage licensed"
Nola laughed softly. Il did want
him, Lyn. but never had a chance.
He always loved you and | knew
it, bat ! thought + still had an ed.
vantage because Of your stubborn.
ness. knew ] had lost, though,
that night he left me and went TO
you because he thought you might
be frightened. ! guess | really faced
the truth that night oh, why
mourn? We wouldn't have clicked.
anyhow. I'm not a farmers wife
and he isn't rich woman's pet.
Last night Thorn and / had q long
talk. ! / care for him, Lyn.
He's the kind Of husband | want.
We are going to be married as soon
as you can get away from here
long enough to be bridesmaid. -
Thorn loves you," Jocelyn said
simply. = think you will be happy
together"
Ncla's smile was content. aYes.
Lyn. Thorn loves me. First thing
on our program is the rehabilita-
ton Of the thousand acres of Texas
he bought. think it can be done.
too, with the help of the soil con.
servation department Of the gov
eminent. After that :. well. who
knoWs?"
When the door had closed quiet-
ly Jocelyn resumed her place be-
side Tally. Suddenly, she laid her
cheek against his hand. ELL love
you 50. she whispered. five
been such a fool"
His hand moved. She raised her
chin, saw his eyes were open. saw
he was conscious at last.
How-how long has il been?s
he n1urmured through the swath-
ing bandages about his head.
Four days. Oh. Tally. 1t seems
like four years.
II guess I'll have to start my
farm all over again" he sighed.
You don't have to, she said
meekly. we can marry and sell
Seacliff and have enough money to
do as we please"
No" His voice was so weak she
could scarcely hear him. She
leaned over him, her face 50 close
to his she could feel his breath
on her cheek. "I--I won't marry
any wonan-for any reason ex.
cept love her and-and she loves
me house or no house"
y do love yotl Tally house 90
no house..
His hand closed over hers and
she knew then that Nola had been
right. Then" be said, let's work
never sell the houss--
never.
Never.
Gently. fenderly, her Iips found
his and somehow. although handle
capped by bandages. bis arms
cfept about her and held her yexy
Tiis Rna
fcopvvt0At. 1882