The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-02-24
Chapter 81
Morning After

SoA0b 1d1Ct4J.
She thought. as she put gown,
robe. slippers and fresh clothing
in her bag, that she couldn't very
well insult guests by demanding
her room. She'd reach an under
standing with Donna later.
Stopping at the Office, she put
her books into the bag. then
threaded the crowd that seemed
to think she was dressed in cos
tune, and went up the hill.
Meg was in the kitchen.
Heaven presarve U.s." she greet
ed. What brings you here?"
MAY l sleep on the couch in
your room? It's a mad-house
down there"
THAT you can. Had your sup
PERI"
Constance shook her head.
Peter will be glad of COM
pany. Pedro is going down to the
party, so it'll be the two of you,
alone"
Constance perched on a chair
behind the wood stove, heels
caught on the top rungs. chin in
hand, watching Meg m a k e
dumplings for the Irish stew. She
was thinking, "If were the right
sort I'd be down there, mixing
with the crowd. having a good
time and" she admitted,
counting the cost of every bottle
of wine, every sandwich, and
worrying over the men not get
ting to bed so they'd be ready for
their work in the morning"
"On my way. Meg" Pedro
shouted from the door.
Constance put a finger to her
lips as Meg looked from her to
the departing Pedro.
Peter Taylor was glad of COM
pany. He greeted Constance jovi-
"You certainly stole the show
this afternoon" he doomed. II
don't know when I've ever
laughed so hard"
81 didn't mean to-" said Con-
stance contritely. "And I'm just
sick over the lumber people be-
ing angry about it"
"Angry?" cried Taylor. They're
as pleased as punch. Those city
cameramen got the shots of their
lives while Pancho was trying to
climb the Golden Stairs and you
were riding horizontal. They'll use
every foot of their film. where
they'd only use single shot of
the affair that was planned; best
advertising in the country"
"Oh," said Constance weakly.
Then /. then they knolD I didn't
do it on purpose?"
Peter Taylor studied her mo-
ment with wise old eyes. Rot"
he spat. "Any man who'd ever
thrown a leg over a saddle would
know you didn't have a chance
to hold Pancho. They count it a
miracle and damn good horse
manship that you were still on top
when Pancho reached the quay.
"And." he added. don't let
anyone tell you differently"
After dinner Petersen came in
and the three of them sat before
the fire discussing ranch prob
lens.
How long is this going to keep
on?" Petersen asked Constance.
isn't there any way we can con-
troll the mem"
Queer Biped
"WELL," unused Taylor, 81 could,
WI mean | could demand they
stick to their jobs but" and he
shook his head. I'VE wouldn't
have dependable workmen. You
see, they didn't want the place
turned into dairy farm In the
first place. The er the Ca
brillos are indifferent to the sue
cess of the place, evidently, and
allow Juliano full control. It's
what the old reprobate has been
wanting"
"But I thought that Miss Ca
brillo here was in charge. And she
Is a Cabrillo."
"No." corrected Taylor. "she
isn't. She's throwback. She's one
of these queer bipeds who can't
enjoy themselves until all of the
bills are paid" He chuckled. "She
was in charge as long as the rest
OF the family didn't care enough
about the ranch TO interfere.
"But don't let that worry you.
Carl" he advised. "A few months
OF this and I'll own the place"
Constance stooG up. Peter
Taylor, you're
Rather I'd play under-cover.
Michael?" he asked.
"No." she returned carefully. al
don't But you haven't won yet.
And I'm going to see this through.
Good night"
But instead OF going to Meg's
room she slipped out of the house.
went down 10 saddle Pancho and
rode out across the ranch. Even
here in the hills you could hear
echoes OF the revelry below. see
the lights shining as though a bit
of the milky way had dropped to
splash its scintillating glory on FL
Cabrillo.
The moon came up as she
crossed the summit. and enehant-
ment. lonely enchantment lay
over the inner valley.
Only Cardoxe was al the out
riders post. With faulty Spanish
and many gestures, Constance
made il clear she intended to
deep In Maria'S guest room; and
Cardoze, candle in hand, led the