The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-10
Chapter Seven
InserIopers-

A0Ps$A S~NS
Interlopers-
ITOCELYN, returning home from
- an early morning canter on the
deserted beach with Mephisto,
saw young Talbot Mack taking a
strange, wizened little man into
the house. What was he up to,
now? she wondered. The Macks
knew no one in Santa Barbara.
They had said so. Well. it was none
Of her business what they did SO
long as they kept to the left half
Of the place.
Again she was thankful for the
foresight of her grandfather who
had bisected the great manor with
two separate upper and lower
Railways with communicating
doors between them. The old gen.
tleman had treasured privacy and
planned the house with the idea
OF preserving 1t as much as posi-
bic. The left wing for many years
had been reserved for guests.
When he died, his widow, ailing
mucheof the time. had closed OH
most of the unused guest rooms.
AT least, Jocelyn thought n Q W
with satisfaction, the Russells had
retained the dining-room, the lie
brary, and the great drawings
room. And, even better, sole right
TO the swimming pool. Let the in
terlopers have the tennis courts;
Thorn could order new ones laid
out on the other side OF the pool.
She turned the reluctant Me-
phisto over to the groom and start
ed toward the right side entrance
Just of the ivy covered veranda,
slapping her riding crop, lightly
against her boots. There just
would be time to change clothes
and drive over to the country club
for Bob's tennis match. She hoped
he would win today. He was play
ing Miner, the French cup holder
With one foot on the broad stone
steps Jocelyn stopped and shifted.
From somewhere very close came
the sweet, tantalizing odor OF
freshly baked cookies. She stepped
up on the stone-fiagged porch and
shifted again.
Hello" said Betsy fro m the
bemboo porch swing. I'm eatin'
cookies for breakfast. It's all we
got to eat. Gramma brought some
-four and things from Texas or
we'd Starve."
Joceiyn gasped. "Are you quite
sure you are telling me the truths"
The child nodded. eyes, Ma'am.
But my Uncle Tally is going to get
us lots of things pretty quick"
Jocelyn fought down her desire
20 escape the child. Perhaps she
tras hungry. would you like an
Granger" she asked.
"Nope Mister Bob gave us lots
Of oranges. We like Miste- Bob
Jocelyn knew relief. where is
your Uncle Tally going to get
money to buy things?" she urged,
curious.
"Don't know. He said if PLAYED
here you'd chase me away. Will
your"
"No. ! don't 90 about chasing
little children no matter what your
uncle says. But | do wish you'd
take your cookies and go around
on the other side OF the house"
"Why?"
Because this side Of the house
Is mine and you mustn't come here
unless invite YOU"
"Why?"
Just then, in time to save Joce-
lyn's crumbling restraint. Crotch
en- hurried toward them, an apollo
getic expression on her pale face
81 thought ! heard her talking"
she explained little breathiessly
Sim awful sorry if she's bothered
you, Miss Russell. We told her moi
to come here but she won't mind
anybody but Tally and he he's
busy. ] guess I'll have to tie hei
up" !"
Jocelyn's eyes were cold. "She
tells me you have nothing TO cal
but cookies. Is that true? If so, III
send some things in to you"
Gretchen flushed. "We have
plenty of food" she insisted with
strange vehemence. Betsy likes
70 make up stories. Most children
do. Don't pay any attention to her
Miss Russell"
II do not make up stories,
Mamal" Betsy shrilled. "A n d
want TO stay here and play"
Gretchen scooped the child into
her arms and carried her, squirm-
ing and wailing. back of the house
Jocelyn went on up to her bed
room, grateful as she let herself
into its luxury and quiet. At leasi
this was one place she wouldn't be
disturbed. She sank to the soft taft
feta-covered bed; sprang up with
q cry Of terror. Sharp claws had
grazed her armi
A Conquest
HEEOWRR?" questioned Tex
w gently waving his plume
like tail and watching her with
expressionless yellow eyes. He lay
fat on his stomach in the exact
center Of the bed. his unmovine
attitude suggesting he considered
Il his personal property.
@You horrible beastP Jocelyn
cried. startled. @How did you gel
In here, anyhow? And your paw:
are dirty and :. and you've gei
nv white counterpane dirtyl Gel
out Of here scatl'
Tex merely turned over one oil
his paws for inspection and began