The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1941-01-31
Chapter II
Friendly Enemy

bmething she could run. And
tichael had changed, ergo. she
Fould adjust herself.
Judge" she smiled at the old
ban mistily, tell me about
iairying and why you think it
he thing"
Surely" agreed the old man,
linking only what an adorable
e shild she was with her blue black
hair and sapphire blue eyes.
with the railroad running
through the ranch, you have
heans of getting your products
Il 10 market without double ham
i fling. Your acres are extensive
+ kAough for dairy herd grazing be-
tause much of the food is pre-
i barred mash which is supposed to
! stimulate your herds to produce
the maximum quantity of milk.
Your markets are more stable.
The populace consumes a COM
Lparatively definite amount of
milk products, butter, cream and
cheese. You don't 60 into a COM
Ipetitive market, but sell to CEN
ftral depot, from where the bulk
is distributed"
Constance nodded. It sounded
very simple. You merely ex-
changed your beef cattle for
cows, sold their milk in gallon
cans. instead of on the hoof
and the cows were still on the
ranch, instead of having to be re-
placed.
81 wonder" she unused. show
much the Taylors were counting
on investing in the turnover"
Twenty thousand" answered
the judge, promptly. then looked
at his watch. Hmm. this talking
of beef has certainly given me an
appetite. Let's get us steak"
Twilight was blurring the
square when they left the office
building. The narrow street
where Dolores friends lived, and
where Dolores was happily en-
gagged in gossiping, was dull gray.
But when they came out on
the waterfront, Constance saw
that the sun had left splotches
of yellow on the incoming fog,
and below it the olive-green
waters of the bay heaved rest
lessly.
The cafe was low-ceilinged,
filed with roughly clad men. a
few women and a thick curtain
Of smoke.
Judge Franck introduced Con-
%
tered as Michael Mahoney's Off
spring"
Cattlemen. dairy men, seamen,
loggers and railroad men bowed
to Constance. and then the Judge
came to a table where sat large
woman who looked as though she
had stepped out of an English
hunting print.
Here's someone who can tell
you all about dairying." the Judge
said.
They Joined this Mrs. MacKel-
vey, and as they dined on sue
culent steak, crisp French fries
and fragrant coffee. Constance
listened, looked and marveled.
The woman was the perSonifi-
cation of vitality. Her features
we're strongly cast but totally at.
variance with the slender. well
grocmed hands. 81 know" she
laughed as she saw Constance
looking at her hands II was
musician. thcn when Mac died
] had to take over. Beef cattle
were out in this section, so | took
TO dairYinG.'
In the end she invited Goa
stance to visit her for a day or
so. "ThOu9h | warA YOU" she SAID.
eff there's a drop Of the old
Mick's blood in your veins you'll
never be the same after that
visit"
nd then through the haze of
smoke, Constance sSw a man
come into tNe cafe and wondered
at the wsy life quickened its beat;
at the s,1den aura Of romance
which speed over the dusky
'''' rob'e Power
"DETE, old fellow" Hi Pedro"
"Taylor!" Voices shouted
welkin of greeting and hands
reached out to clasp his, or pull
him towards their table.
"Now what" asked Constance
of the Judge, to stitle her disturb
ance. brings Pedro here?"
Franck pushed his platter back
with a sigh of contentment.
Probably looking for informa-
ton" he answered.
IF YOU ever want 10 know any
thing" elucldated Mrs MacKel-
vey, "come in here and let the
other fellow do the talking"
Constance barely heard her.
TAYLOR was making his way to-
wards their table. His eyes, with
some unfathomable expression.
were meeting hers. How was she
10 treat hir'? He had become her
enemy. And more than that he
held double power. for she had
20 guard herself against this be-
wilderlng response of her heart
20 the man. as we'll rs guard
against the ShrcwdneSS of his
mind
What had Michael Mahonev
done. how had he fought such
friendly enemies The Judge had
told her. chucklng He threw
them off-guard with his aIabilltv
until he had them in r corner"
Constance smiled AZ Peter Tay-
lor HI. Pedro" she greeted.
iii Michael he answered.
"Sii down, son. sit down 4"
urged Mrs. MacKelvev. What
brings vou 70 town az an eve
ningF"
Taylor nodded at Constance.