The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-30
Chapter "a
The InvaIid,s Visitors

Chapter "a
The InvaIid,s Visitors
MUCH to the amazement Of the
1F1 entire Mack family, both
Thorndyke and Jocelyn became
daily visitors to the sunny front
bedroom where Gramp lay help
less but far from speechless.
Jocelyn, on the second day Of
Cramps confinement, asked per-
mission Of Mrs. Mack to use the in
accommodating door between
The second floor Railways; so the
Macks DID not always see her come
and 60, yet her voice, sometimes
eager and laughing, sometimes low
end soothing. could be heard min-
Cling with Cramps cracking fal-
eetto and delighted cackle. She
brought him roses, hyacinths. and
tall red gladioli from her garden,
also pictures of her grandmother
and colorful stories Of the early
days in California.
In the beginning she admitted
honestly to herself she had come
because she felt a grudging obli-
Cation: because she remembered
how much Grandma Jocelyn had
once loved this old man. What she
did not admit honestly to herself
was q growing, impelling, rather
frightening urge to see more OF
young Talbot: frightening because
50 many years she had accepted
placidly the fact of her eventual
marriage to Godfrey Kensing: yet
now. that il was imminent she
feund herself plagued by disturb
ing thoughts and memories.
~Josie's a right sweet girl, |"
Gramp impaired to Tally when
they were alone a few minutes one
morning. shes just always had
TOO much money an her grandma
spoiled her. She sets in here an
talks an laughs like any girl. ] got
q sneakin' idea things is goin' to
change a powerful lot"
Sure" Tally agreed, his face
inscrutable, shes going to marry
Godfrey Kensing in a little over
two weeks and leave here to live
IN his big town house.
~You don't want her leavin'?"
old Mack questioned softly.
Tally shrugged. ''What differ
ence can it possibly make to me?
She hates the sight Of me. She's
told me so often enough"
well Gramp drawled-.i |
wanted gal wouldn't let her get
away. Not easy-Iike, anyhow"
Tally changed to the subject of
Thorndyke. II can't figure why he
comes 70 see you, Gramp. He never
had any use for US. Now he
bounces In and out of the house
with the look Of kid hiding in a
deep, dark secret"
@Mebbe he is. Now quit botherin'
me, Tally"
The same question occurred to
Jocelyn but Thorn's explanation
to her was no more satisfactory
than old Talbot Mack's to Tally.
Two weeks after Cramps acci-
dent Thorn stole into his room
with the air of a conspirator and
shut the door.
Il closed the dealt" he declared,
extending deed for Cramps in
apectior. THAT thousand acres cost
ne exactly forty thousand dollars.
] hated the idea of sinking all my
capital, but ] figured it was really
no risk because inside of another
month I'll sell 1t to the government
at a big profit. If anything hap
pens that don't, I'll borrow some
money on the land and drill for oil
myself Maybe I'll do that. any
how. Still, that would take more
time and il can get a quick turn
over I'll probably make as much
profit. Just wait till Nola hears
about thisi"
Not Worried A Bit
GRAMP almost choked with
0suppressed glee. He chewed
hard on his tobacco until he felt
his voice could be trusted. then
said: That's heap o. cash to put
out on my say-So. What Il that
Eeologist was wrong? What il
there amt no oil?"
mo no oil?" Thorn suffered,
his face lining with conSterna-
ton. eBut that couldn't happen--it
couldn't. You said the land was
full Of oil and the government
wanted iti"
Sure Gramp soothed. II Jest
was supposin'. If ] was you, though,
I'd get a geologist on my own to
take look at the property before
writin' the gov'ment.
"A good idea, Thorn concurred,
seven II there isn't the slightest
doubt in our minds. It pays to have
conclusive proof. Say -" he faced
the old man with sudden suspicion
-. why didn't you think of that
before bought the land? ! should
have investigated ffrStl The only
reason ] didn't was because you
said TO keep II secret and was
afraid someone might get wind OF
II and offer higher price than ]
could pay
aMebbe So" Gramp nodded.
sMebbe so. You didn't tell me you
was goin' 10 buy Il right of,
though, or / might've figured some
way O making sure. Can't blame
me for somethin' you didn't tell
me.s
"WeIl. I guess that's true enough.
I Twas hssty, suppose, but I'm not
worried. Not worried . bit"
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