The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-02-18
Chapter IS
Only One Explanation

=
nerg of the room. She couldn't
leave him without seeming rude.
She had no excuse. No one in the
room was interested in her. John
had the attitude of a man who
had staked a claim and defied
anyone to treSpass.
Later, tomorrow, after she had
talked to Pedro, she would tell
John he must not consider her
won. She would never marry
him. She couldn't tell him here.
Dance after dance in Johns
arms, or pleading WEAKNESS seat
ed beside John. Don and Pedro
exchanged Nadine and Donna.
And then John must ask for
his duty dance with his hostess.
Pedro was beside her the mo-
ment John left. The stringed or
chestra started the melody Josefa
had sung, and Constance won
dered if they could have been
prompted by Pedro. His first re-
mark discouraged the thought.
"You might tell Mr.. Raskthorne
that he doesn't need to act as
bodyguard. No one is going to
kidnap you"
Damn civilization" whispered
Constance.
: For a moment Pedro's arms
frightened about her, then relaxed.
Fright" he agreed. "Civilized
women love with their heads. 1t
looks as though you'd already
won your battle"
Pedro. you don't understand
please, dance back in the
shadows you must give me
a chance to explain, can't here"
There is only one explanation
you can give; only one I'll accept
won't ask you to do it the diff
cult way, by making an an
nouncement before these people,
but, after the others are asleep,
meet me outside. Well take Meg,
drive to San Francisco, file our
intention to wed, then three days
later we'll settle our problem for
all time. Will you do this. Mi
chael?"
Settle their question for all
time! Constance dared to think of
what his plan would mean; the
drive south with Pedro, with the
right to sit in the curve of his
arm. Days in San Francisco. the
hilarity of the three of them as
Meg took them sightseeing in her
beloved home city.
And then, at the end of the
three days, their marriage.
But what would it mean?
Johns pride would be hurt be-
yond redemption. She didn't
know, wouldn't blame him if,
having violated her agreement,
he called in his loan. Too much Of
it was already spent. He'd have
to take over the ranch and
under such circumstances he
would never sell to the Tay.ors.
And Petersen, the earnest,
kindly man, what of him and his
wife and their children?
And what of the ranch, incom-
plete, neither cattle nor 2 dairy
ranch.
"Pedrol!" For a moment Con-
stance rested her head against his
shoulder. then lifted it. Il CAN'T"
Her voice was hoarse in its renun-
citation. II can't, Pedro; that's
what l have to explain. | can't
tell you here, Pedro"
Il understand already" he an
swered through stiff lips. "You
bargained in love all right. John
Raskthorne is backing you be-
cause you taught him to love
you. And I have been working
my fool mead off to make your
ranch success because you
taught me to love you or
perhaps | didn't need teaching
you've gone right down the
line, from Jud ge France to
Father. You turn on your charm
until We out-do ourselves, sacri.
fee ourselves to help you :.
and for what2"
"A Wonderful Lesson
CONSTANCE wondered if he
Ahad signaled the musicians.
Only one who knew the melody
would have realized they had
stopped before it was complete.
Pedro took her back 10 her iso-
lated corner. bowed slightly The
shrewd little Michael Mahoney."
he said.
Constance lifted her face, eyes
dark with pain, chin pointed
proudly. Thank you, Pedro" she
said. You've taught me a won
derfui lesson. I've learned Just
holo much the love of man can
amount to-"
John was with her almost be.
fore Pedro. startled. hesitating.
had left
"Chita, you're working too
hard" John observed tenderly
I'm going to pack you of to
your room. and from now on
you're going to mix a little play
with your labor"
Constance looked at him In
wonder. This, then. was John.
Would John have given her up
so lightly John, who had never
said. Michael Mahoney wouldn't
count a battle lost Until he had
been slammed into the bastile
and the key was turned on him,
and even then his luck might turn
az the zero hour.
Constance awcke al dawn; or
rather she arose az dawn after
scarcely closing her eyes She
slipped quietly from the house.
saddled pancho and started out
just ahead Of her was a queer