The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-02-15
Chapter "a
Avalanche

A IL right, take her mount
"A on" ordered John, and
Tipped a coin at Pedro, whom he
lad scarcely seen.
"Grdci1S, sehor," said Pedro
who pocketed the half dollar and
rode off.
John" groaned Constance,
that was young Taylor"
"What?" John looked after the
departing figure. "It 1as? Oh.
well, III explain to him later"
and he chuckled. Good sport, he
took it like gentleman; or have
the Taylors taking ways with
more than money!"
Must you jump at conclu-
. sions?" asked Constance. "But
come in. Where are the others?
How did you happen to come
west?"
She piled him with questions
while her heart sank lower and
lower. For Pedro to have seen
Johns greeting after their own
scene on the mountain. How could
she explain? Fatherly friends do
llOb GiuDI dtC bllCA Oliol geo do
John had embraced her, nor call
them darling?
John had never embraced her
in that fashion before. 80
She couldn't explain. q Pedro
would ugh at her.. Pedro
wouldn't believe her and she.
wouldn't blame him.
"Chee-tal" a'H ;"
Constance gasped. Donna, who
hadn't bothered to bid her fare
well, was running to her with
wide open arms. ooh, you're ex-
quisite. You look so +. so dude
ranchy. Darling, who was that
simply perfect specimen you rode
in with? Don't tell me he was
mere cowhand, because my heart
wouldn't stand it. He's real, isn't
he? / mean well you known"
Il know" affirmed Constance
dryly, "the perfect specimen is
Peter Taylor, junior, the ranch
managers son, and to save your
aristocratic nose from touching
mid-heaven, he is college grad
uate and his father has more
money than the Cabrillos. Now,
Is there anything else you'd like
to know about him?"
who's his current heart inter
est?"
Constance thought she had
never seen her sister look as
piquantly beautiful. She was so
perfectly groomed, so vivacious,
black eyes sparkling, black hair
so sculptured to her pretty head.
II wouldn't know" Constance
evaded. I'VE discuss dairy herds"
I'D like TO believe that of
fered John.
"You cam" laughed Donna.
For, ! warn you, from now on
Peter Taylor and | shall be ex-
hausting the more important SUBJ
jects."
Ell CabriIlo buzzed, II hummed,
II dubbed. The Cabrillos were
home. Constance, enroute to her
mothers quarters, fell over SER
wants at every foot Of the way.
She gave thanks that the Peder-
sons had moved to their own
house; there wouldn't be room for
children here.
Hi Sis" shouted Don from the
patio.
Hello, DON" Timidly Con-
stance made her way towards
him. Eagerly. anxious to be
friends. Its good to have you
here"
"Some dump" complimented
the young squire. "Say there,
Juliano. how about long high
one for a dusty throat"
Juliano bent from the waist,
nearly to the floor and when he
Strengthened his old eyes were
proud--"Si. Senior Don Cabrillo,
for you. f'1uy pronto," BG V8bi
Bewildered .lga'
syVELL, kid. how are things
w going?" 1q''N-
John sat on the edge OF the
stone table, once pounded by the
fists OF Constance and Pedro, and
studied Constance and smiled pa
ternally at Don. Don was obvi-
ously feeling his oats" He
lolled In basket chair, long legs
thrown over the arm.
Constance started a report of
the ranch, but Don interrupted.
"How many rooms hers9 | mean,
how many guests can we house?"
Guests? Why, Don, | don't
know"
''Sefior Cabrillo," Juliano. with
the highball, was bowling before
him--''in the days OF your fathers
elder brother when | was so.
and he indicated small stature,
1--WE have entertained of fifty peo-
pie over the night"
Swell, then fifteen won't strain
the walls. Our crowd, fifteen OF
them. are flying up from Santa
Brabara for the week end" he
explained TO Constance. and to
Juliano, II can trust you 10 do
right by them, Juliano."
"Si, 81, scfiort"
Constance feared for the hips
of Juliano. and then her heart
seemed squeezed with sudden
fear. But this was Don's home, II
wasn't hers alone.
Where Is motherg" Constanee
asked.
THE SeEora Cabrillo. Is take
Ia siesta," Juliano informed her,
"She Is not 10 be interruptg"
Constance sat down.
sThe old boy doesn't seem TO
cotton to YOU" Don observed as
Juliano swaggered out
Mutual" marmured Con-
stance. Where is Lamson7"
Getting my things squared
around"