The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-09-11
Chapter IA
Stuffed Olives

THE bright, unearthly moon
! light did strange things tc
them, cast exotic shadows about
their eyes and the planes OF their
heads and bodies.
"Just who are we and Just
where are we?" queried Anne, as
she stood wet and shining before
the curtain Of the falls.
Mackey gave her one look and
turned and trudgcG OF down 10
the fire that the men had built up
extrayagantly. Anne watch e q
him. aware she should follow.
Il know where we are" muir
INJURED Sherwood. putting an arm
around her as he stood at her
side. Cant you guess" !,
She looked up at him and shook
her head.
eDon't you re cognize the
place2 This is paradise.
'And Doddap wept when ne
promised you heaven.
aBut we have the present. he
drew her to him. Put your arms
around my neck"
Her beauty loving eyes traced
the sculptured lines Of his head,
following the streak of white IN
his hair.
His mouth came down on hers
at first gently as if testing its well
come, then taking bold possession.
When he relaxed his clasp a
trifie she pushed away from HIM
aghast. Il must be crazy she
cried. "Never before
.sThen it's about time" he said.
his voice still gruff with emotion,
and would have drawn her to him
again, but she twisted free and
fied to Maekey and the fire. .
Mackey brought her coat and
as Sherwood joined them re-
marked quizzically to him: My
brains. her charm and your luck.
ssHave brought us to this.
added Anne, indicated the land
scape about them and the fire be-
fore them in which they could
see the pieces Of their carriage 60
ing up in flames. IF we leave
here If won't be as we came.
The men avoided her eyes I'M
til Sherwood turned. bending
over her. See, a banquet is be-
ing set in the tent. Did you bring
one gorgeous dress?'
Her eyes began to glow. "A
golden chiffon especially packed.
''We'li have a party. offered
Mackey as his share of gallant
gesture. "You in chiffon. Blaze in
a tux and me with my uniform
buttons shined."
Anne had trouble with tears
all the time she was alone in the
tent drawing on gossamer stock
ings and satin undertakings and
finally brushing her hair to a per-
feet slustre. When she lifted the
tent flap, the cook stood there
waiting, a great platter of steam
ing rice in his hands.
Dinner
THEY took their places around
4 the table on which stood
scores of dishes of food, the great
platter of rice, sheets of bread,
meat cakes, sweet cakes, nuts,
watermelon seeds. mounds of col
ored sugar balls, Jugs of sour
milk. pots of tea. all put on the
table at once. But the prize dish
was the centerpiece. A bowl OF
American stuffed olives.
Sherwood and Anne sampled
them at once. Mackey made a
wry face. Il leave olives to low
ers."
you're a pal" said Sherwood,
giving his shoulder friendly
Slap, mis- voice natural. but in his
eyes, Anne saw, look of tor
ment. Suddenly .le clenched has
fists and rose. "Pete, isn't there
something we can do?'
.Start a fight and get shot Tor
Il might start a fight" sug-
gested Anne. They're afraid to
murder me-" She was feeling ex-
traordinarily alive as if her food
had given her the energy OF half
a dozen people.
The men smiled at her tender
". Sherwood walked to the en-
trance and glanced out. He re-
turned and took an olive.
: Here's to you" be said 70
Anne, and bit it in two with his
strong white teeth.
ssWhat did you see?' Maekey
aThe soldiers are on their
camels doing mounted guard
duty"
sThey must be expecting some
thing to happen" !,
IF we could at least get hold
1--WE might try entertaining
them suggested Anne. :.
II can play a mouth organ.
offered Mackey, drawing one
from his pocket.
"Wellp remarked An e:
avou'ye been holding out on us.
sspve been a sick man. Can you
sing and dance?S .3.
AFTER fashion. she admitted.
and turned to Sherwood. "Whats
YOUR accomplishment"
He grinned. "Given the chance,
I can snake gun out OF another
fellows holster like nobody s
business He rose and pr0pped
open the tent. Anne followed him.
snapped her fingers and slapped
her right foot on the clay, almost
as level and sleek as dance floor
Mackey tuned up on Lonesome
Road" directing Anne. Nov
dance"