The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1942-10-03
Chapter 81
Pain In Her Heart

'
JULES dread interview, with
A. Harry Kelland left her emo
tionally upset for the remainder
of the day. The older mans drawn
white face, his quiet, almost re-
signed acceptance of her bad news
had been heart-breaking. Harry
Kelland was no longer the hard
driving, ruthless money maker
he'd always been. Something-or
someone-had broken the mans
spirit He was beaten. Even the
tone of his voice showed it.
She's dead" Mr.. Ke1land re-
peated tonelessly at the end of the
third day of fruitless waiting for
some news from the searchers on
the mountain. my poor little
girl"
Don't give. up, yet, MIR. Kel-
Land" Julie tried to cheer him.
'They. haven't found the body.
Until then, there is still hope that
she is alive and safe somewhere. +"
He shook his head. where
would she go? Why wouldn't she
notify me?"
That of course was unanswer-
able. - -
"Was there anyone living near
the cabin with whom he might
have taken refuge? Anyone CAMP
ing on your property any of the
rangers that she knew--2?4 IN NJ Z
There, was no, one," Kelland
repeated. doggedly.
But even as he said it, Julie
sensed, that he was lying. There
was something about all this that
didn't ring true. That man of
Kelland's temperament was con-
tent to sit at home patiently wait
ing for news that never came, to
resign himself so easily to the
death of his beloved. daughter
1t just couldn't happen! Either he
was playing some kind of game
or his illness had altered him
tragically.
Pete Is Changed
CHE didn't have an opportunity
~ to discuss her suspicious with
Pete until late that evening. He
called her just after dinner.
Julie, I'm stuck down here at
the yard Office. Been rushed
breathleSs since I got back.
Haven't had minute to talk to
you. Would it be too much to ask
you to drop in down here when
you finish your calls tonight?"
why no. OF course not"
Il want to see you minute.
And it will be impossible for me
to get through here much before
midnight, probably" .r,-
I'll be there" she promised.
"Probaby around nine"
It was after ten when she wait
ed at the gate for permission to
drive on into the yard. Men on
the Macarthur shift were begin
ming to pour through the gates.
Everywhere was teeming activity.
Ard much of all this speedy pro-
duction, Julie thought proudly,
could be credited to Pete Fowler,
Jr. | 49,
Pete looked tired, she noticed
when a few moments later she
stepped into the tiny cubicle that
was his office, Smiling, he pulled
acclaim up for her, pushed back
the blueprints spread out on his
desk.
YOU'RE working too hard,
Pete" Julie said anxiously. "You
weren't supposed to come back to
the office for more than half day
to start with.
He grinned. "The boys on Ba-
tam couldn't lay off half a day!
This" he nodded at the pile of
blueprints, sis more important"
Julie, smiled. That's good news
coming from you, Pete" And
wondered if he'd forgotten the
vehemence with which he had
once denounced his soft" job.
-'You know, julie" he. began,
his eyes grave, "rve always want
ed to get back to flying. want
to be in the thick of things, dish
ing it out. And I'm going, nova
thanks to good doctoring." He
slapped his leg that had once tor
mented him. "But before I GO
theresa job I've got to finish"
Her heart racing, Julie watched
his glowing face. What is that,
Peter"
Build enough boats to give the
hnuS all fba nlanaS and narfc and