Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-10-06
CHAPTER x-Continued

uAAak III HeE IdtneT manner Wnlcn
she could not grasp . a subtle
reticence which eluded her. She
asked, "You know all about it,"
Everybody in Beverly knows by
now" said Andy.
what do they known"
Nothing, except that Kirk Rey-
nolds has been killed"
Andrew Forrest dropped his hand
on his daughters shoulder. Don't
you reckon you'd better come home,
Kay?"
She nodded. ST suppose so ="
II think it'd be wise. I'll talk to
Floyd while you pack up"
Kay looked startled. The words
were out before she thought. She
said, "I'm all packed"
For just an instant, Andrew For
rest looked startled. Then he said,
"I'n see Floyd right now," and went
out of the front door. Andy sat down
near his sister.
'Kind of tough luck, Sis"
He was kindly which was un-
like Andy.
There were good-bys, and Mrs.
Hamilton begged Kay to come back
soon. Briefly, Barney backed her
into corner and took her hands.
His palms were cold.
you're quite all right, honey?"
Eyes Oh! Barney, you're
II told you the truth" His fingers
were tight on hers. "I'n be driving
into town-often."
please. I need you so much"
They put Kay's suitcase in the
tonneau of the little car and all
three of them sat in the front seat,
with Andy at the wheel and Kay in
the middle. They moved through
lanes of tourist cars and swung right
on the dirt highway. Not until then
did Mr.. Forrest speak.
you're sure you're all right,
Kay?"
81 suppose So" She closed her
eyes.
The fresh, clean odor of pine
helped clear her brain. She stole a
glance at her brothers face, strong
and determined without being sharp
the face of an average, good
young man. A dependable face. She
spoke to both without looking
at either.
"what happened after you left me
last night?"
Mr.. Forrest answered. 1--WE drove
right home"
ibid you meet anybody"
''Where?"
"In the Gardens?"
Mr.. Forrest put his hand over
hers. 1--WE didn't meet Kirk Rey-
nolds-if that's what you mean"
Andy said, I'VE didn't meet soul
except cars we passed on the way
home"
Kay said, Somebody killed Kirk
and was afraid that :"
~ understand"
'.But you don't understand-not
really. Kirk came last night to take
me back to Beverly with him . >. to
make me live with him as his wife.
That's why I was SO nervous when
you and Andy showed up. I was
afraid you'd meet him. And when
/ heard-this morning-what had
happened, ! thought well, l
thought maybe you had met him."
Mr.. Forrest shook his head. mo,
we didn't meet him."
"But you could have. He was
due there about that time"
1--WE didn't meet him!" Andy's
voice was metallic. "We've told you
that dozen times"
Kay subsidized. Her father said.
"I'm mighty sorry, Kay :"
81 don't know what to do. Don't
you see, Dad, somebody did kill
Kirk. You say it wasn't you or
Andy. l don't believe Jim Owenby
did it-although he was out there
alone for a long time. And :"
Where was Barney?"
''He was outside, too. That's what
scares me-"
''What does he say?"
"He says he didn't do it. Every
body says that"
Lets not talk about it now,
dear" Andrew Forests voice was
calm, reassuring. AFTER we get
home-after you've begun to feel
better-there are heaps of things we
can talk about. You can tell me
the truth about this marriage bust
aess now, can't you?"
She nodded. Eyes, of course.
Now"
Kay and Mrs. Forrest had never
been too close to one another. Kay
was too much like her father, too
little tolerant of her mothers gram
lite virtues. She anticipated with
dread the tears and condemnation,
the inescapable ''You see what
you've done" ''If you'd only
kept away from that man
Andy parked at the curb and Kay
and her father walked up to the
house together. They opened the
front door and Kay stepped inside.
Mrs. Forrest came to meet her: