The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-02-04
Chapter IA
Homecoming

CONSTANCE thought or MINIS
~ Tins car as she drove her
own coupe out of the city garage.
She pafted the steering wheel as
though to encourage it on, into
that maelstrom of early evening
traffic. Queer she'd never before
noticed the noise and confusion.
Ahead of her lay The Family,
and explanations. She'd worry
about both when she faced them.
The first thing she saw, upon
driving into the grounds, was the
resplendent roadster which had
belonged, after fashion, to Don
Cabrillo.
"Now what?" she wondered.
Lamson'S face lighted with Joy,
then clouded. His ey e b w s
arched, his eyes rolled toward the
ceiling and his shoulders seemed
intent upon following.
"Lammy what on my
word, are we having a funeral?"
The foyer was a mass of flow
ers, great baskets of blossoms
filled the air with a heady fra
GRANGE.
"Your bag is in your car, Miss
Constance?" he inquired, and
nodded to trim new maid who
was hurrying towards them.
"Of course, but" LamSon was
gone and the maid was insisting
that Constance follow her.
evil you please attend to your
duties" Constance said I'm
quite capable of finding my way
about this house"
The maid disappeared and Con-
stance tiptoed down the hall.
Flowers everywhere. Heavenly
Day, they'd had the living room
done over again. And now the
dining room; three long tables,
exquisitely appointed, new foot
man lowering over one.
Constance nearly ran into Lam
son as he hurried into the house
with her bag. "a wedding?" she
demanded.
Lamson lost control of his
aitches. Hits a dinner to h'out-
dinner hall dinners" he moaned.
Listen" she grabbed him by
the sleeve, gentlemen don't visit
ladies in their boudoirs, but Pm
not feeling like lady lust now,
so come on"
Lamson followed her upstairs
and when she had closed the door
behind him, she handed him a
cigaret. Light up, Lammy, and
start spilling. Whats happened
since l went away?"
Lamson balanced gingerly on
the edge of a chair. "C-Conchita."
he began, and stopped short.
Constance controlled her smile.
She hadn't heard him call her
that since she returned from her
first boarding school. "Tts is all
right. | like to hear you say Con-
chita. Now, 60 on"
Instead he cached into 4
pocket and drew forth clipping.
Constance read it, slipper tap
ping.
NOUS RANCHO, the heading ad-
vised her.
A second caption, elucidated-
Fabulous Price To Be Paid For
Ell Cabrillo Rancho"
The clipping contained an in
terview with the Cabrillo family.
Excerpts from it burned into the
heart of the girl who read.
"-the days of the cattle barons
are gone"
"'Out of the mouths of babes. Z"
quoted Constance.
find it advisable to dispose
of extensive holdings as times
have changed and resident man.
ayers can no longer be trusted to
give honest attention to the inter-
eSts of absentee owners"
Constance read the eulogy on
Cabrillos past and pres n t,
through anger dulled eyes This
then, was the thanks the Taylors
were TO receive: public con-
demnation.
Credit
LINE Sits of sapphire shone
Il through the black fringe of
ConStance's eyes as she looked up.
"What has happened since this
appeared" she demanded.
Credit" stated Lamson. Such
credit | never saw given a Ca
brillo."
Don't perjure your loyalty,
Lamson, l understand, soothed
Constance. you want to tell me
that since then they've gone the
limit. and by they l mean the
family
Now listen. | don't want IT
known I'm here. / don't want 10
play Banquo at this evenings
feast. but after that well.
Just tell the maid that I'm b.. oh.
say I'm a lady dick.
'Lammy" her voice softened
as she looked at the tired, old
man. How would you like %
live on a ranch with plenty Of
horses"
'Orses." echoed Lamson soul
fully. oh. Miss Conchita, my
father was an 'ostler-" he
sighed suddenly. mo. ! couldn't
20. The promise I gave TO your
father"
Constance patted his arm.
Wen find a way" she prom
ised. Better 60 down now be-
fore anyone starts asking CUES
t!Cus.
she locked the door behind
him, then went 70 her desk. put
the clipping 20 one side and drew
note paper before her. Swiftly
she wrote
u know the newspaper stories