The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-10-03
Chapter 80
Fight For Life

y SEE your own mother weep
ing. il she is a hardy woman. is
one OF the most terrifying expert
ences on earth. It ties the heart
INTO knots of uncomfortable pain.
Mother" Anne pleaded. wen
oe all right Wen work things OCT.
l know a way
= The natives had risen in a bodv
coioAers sprang forward. fearing
10 1oncn her, yet waiting for :
word from the high priest. Anne
rose and looked at the pair sfeadi-
~. I stay beside my parents.
The man rose and ordered the
native spectators to quiet them
selves. the soldiers to stem baek
Then through the Interpreters. he
spoke 70 Anne stern1y. sWhat are
j we TO believe? The dagger killed
the man you told our people was
10 be your mate"
told them he was the man I
nao come to marry" she answered
quietly. He was the ran my par
entS expected me 10 marry"
was ne your husbands"
You dare come to us alone. vet
demanding the gift Of our treas
ure. You shame and Condemn
your parents and bring death
upon your own head" There was
q muTmur among the natives. The
translator added, He says you
may speak now"
You see that / carry the dag
ger, she said. holding the weapon
up before them. at recognizes nv
mastery. It has kept me secure
through hunger and treaehery and
threat of DEATH"
~ The high priest acknowledged
her argument The dagger knows
you. The dagger has its place. You
nave your place. But still you fail
us"
Anne knew she was fighting for
her life. She glanced at the lama.
but he was staring down his nose
and gave no sign. She went over
beside Sherwood. sitting at the
end OF the column beyond her
father. and deliberately put a
hand on his shoulder. Her face
was flushed. her eyes bright with
determination. Her voice rang
clear.
Now I show them a son. I de-
clare this man, your prisoner, to
be my husband" Sherwood gave
her a look of sharp surprise, and
rose. Following the translation of
her words, a eommotion broke out
once more among the tribesmen.
Some eheered, some gr0wled.
there was flash of swords and
bavonets.
Beth was staring at Anne in
dellght-Larry and Maekey in
doubtful surprise - Diana, with
anger and contempt. DR.. Mar
tame, the silent. suddenly laughed
aloud. Anne's parents gazed at her
with mixed emotions.
When quiet had come again, the
high priest addressed her once
more.
we have been warned to watch
for triekery. You tell US one man
Is yours; then you tell US another
man is yours. What are we to be-
lieve?" Without waiting for her 10
reply he reminded her. through
the interpreter, how the first had
come to his death and now she
was subjecting the second to the
same ordeal. Think carefully. If
you speak not truth. you con-
denim him to death and make no
gain for yourself"
Diana rose to her fee. impetu-
ously. Blaze, tell them the truth
or / shall"
Before he could reply Anne an
swered. Il have told the truth. He
is nv husband"
you lie," cried Diana and ap-
pealed to the high priest. she
hates this man. She desires his
death. Her marriage is a mockeFy
She has vowed to betray him"
The priest listened to the trans
lator and regarded Anne gravely.
What have you to say"
He is my husband" she re-
peated coldly. "But ask him. Let
him make his own declaration. :"
The high priest asked him.
does this woman speak the
TRUTH"
IrrevoeabIe Decision
CHERWOOD took his time.
- Anne's heart began to pound;
he was capable of springing some
thing entirely unforeseen on her
The place had become exceeding
lydquiet as if the natives sensed
tension not yet comprehended.
''"She speaks the truth" he said
quietly. I'VE are man and wife,
. Wall you accept us2"
. The priest listened to the trans
lator and scanned a paper one of
the scribes had handed him. The
stars accept YOU" he said. Anne
gave Doddap a look of gratitude
as the priest continued, addressing
Sherwood yet in man is an inner
guide. II you are the man of this
destiny foretold in our prophecy,
the task now give you viii prove
H." He pointed to the paving
stones. You see blood evidence
that others have tried and failed. +"
Further trials. Anne's spirits
sank as she watched a soldier
clash the cords that bound his
wrlsts and then free her parents
hands. The four of them were led
across the wide platform to the
massive door with its seal of a
human fiqura.