The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-10-10
Chapter 46
In Love

you haven't told me yet what
l. happened when you found |
wasn't at the Pennants'." I re-
minded him.
81 lost my head. You see, I had
a bit of bad iuck. Mrs. remnants
car was gone, ~sbut she was at
home. The colonel phoned the
sentry at the gate, and he said
the car had left tie post not ten
minutes before. headed for Chi
cago. He didn't know who was
driving, nor whether there was
more than one person in the car.
81 thought you had that story.
and that your life was in danger
For all l knew you might have
been kidnapped. 1t didn't even &C.
cur to me to look for you at the
club. You see. | quite lost my
head. | started in pursuit. while
Colonel Pennant notified the state
police. Not until | had left did
anyone think of Julia. and when
they went to look for her. she
was gone, too. They decided you
two were together. and their
anxiety abated They waited for
me to bring you back. Actually.
of course, it was a Wild-gOose
chase Julia had soon turned off
the highway and was driving
about on the back roads. 1t was
fool thing to do. without telling
anyone, but | gather she was in a
cfofo If T,o1pI rot haalr i.t-f he
fore she did. and when I found
+ out you. and she had ouarreled
. of course l thought of the club"
He paled. 81 got there just in
time" he said grimly. 81 was
tiptoeing along the corridor. won-
dering where to look for you.
when l heard your scream. The
killer took to his heels when
broke the door down - he had
dropped his gun. evidently in a
fall, and had no time to look for
it. I thought at first he'd killed
you. / went through the bedroom
after him-he got out a window
| saw him making for the garage
saw a moving figure, anyway.
shot him. Meant to kill him at
the moment. but he'll not get off
so easily, I'm glad to say"
"You-you were armed?"
I'm always armed"
He unbuttoned his impeccably
tailored suit coat and showed me
the butt of gun nestled under
his arm. I should never have sus-
pected it was there. He buttoned
the coat again and / could detect
no slight bulge to betray its
presence.
Gerald's Goodby
I REALIZED that | was staring
and dropped my eyes. think
| have never been so impressed
with any man. | suppose hero
worship strikes every woman at
some time in her life. A sort of
cloud of glory seemed wreathed
around his head. I was SO thrilled
l expect I looked half witted.
Then you saved nv life,"
said tritely. And risked your own
to do it. If he had been armed"
1T would have been worth my
life if I hadn't" he said lightly.
Think I was anxious to face
Adam? AS it is, he can hardly
keep his hands off mel"
1t was a gentle reminder that
he had been only Adams deputy.
l didn't like him any the less for
it, but l felt my cheeks warm a
little. And then I thought of
something else.
"You were right about Julia.
Gerald. She's been in love with
Jeff for-forever."
81 have eyes," he said.
"I'm sorry"
why should you be sorry?
I'm not. Julia'S grand girl. like
her. But I'-he stood up, grim
ming little-"I've no time for
ance. And besides" = he
touched my hand lightly and the
smile spread to his eyes-"Pve
always had a weakness for red
hair. And now I'm going to
say goodby. I'm leaving early to-
morrow. and / may not see you
again"
"Gerald-I'm proud to know
you. You-you won't forget us?"
He shook his head. The smile
was still on his lips. but not in
his eyes.
IF ever you should need me,
no matter where or why. wire me
in care of the bureau and I'll
come" He touched my hand
again. Take care of yourself"