The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1942-10-02
Chapter 20
After The Destruction

IDETE and Julie were destined
to wait long hours before
they could even begin to untan-
lyle the twist of events. Al
Though the fire was under con-
troll now, it would be daylight
before they could venture back
Into the valley.
| And when dawn finally did
lpink the sky, the cruel waste OF
the nights ravaging fire lay
Everywhere around them.
They'll have to pay for this,
Pete growled savagely as they
picked their way carefully down
the hill toward the site of the
Kelland cabin. Another item on
the account the dirty sneakS
started at Pearl Harbor. If you're
right about the tall villain. Julie. 1"
his fists clenched. the muscle
along his Jaw frightened, well
make him pay part of it,"
A steep climb brought them to
the brow of a hill, showed them
the next stream valley. Straight
down a blackened slope dropping
away from them to the tiny
stream below, they could see
what was left of the Kelland
cabin. The stone foundation, the
charred skeleton of the house.
All else was in. ashes. e
Fora long moment, they stared,
trying to believe that the empty,
blackened shell below, had only
yesterday been "a loyey ssumn1eF
home, eaveS-deep in green
shrubbery, half-hidden by tall
pines. tDenuded now the whole
scene told a grim story.
and shook tears out of her eyes.
Then, remembering suddenly,
"Where are the others?"
"Safe = hope!" Pete started
down toward the road, a white
streak far below. "At least all
the cars are gone. They must
have found way out"
Look" Julie pointed to tire
tracks in the white dust. They
must have gone on up this way"
Pete grinned. followed the tire
tracks. at was used last night.
all right. Lucky for"
"There they are!"
Dawn Lost
COMING toward them, slowly,
~ trailing cloud of dust,
moved four automobiles. Julie
called, waved. A moment later
the first car drew up beside her.
Bart at the wheel.
THANK Heaven you're SAFE" he
said instantly. his white face
grimy, his eyes deep-circled.
blood-shot. "Where's DAWN"
Julie stared at him. isn't she
with your"
Bart sprang from the car.
grasped her shoulders. Don't tell
me you haven seen her, Julie.
Where is she?"
Don't lose your head, Bart. p"
Pete said quietly. That's no
help"
But she must be with you'll"
Bart insisted frantically.
Tell us when you saw her
last, Bart" Julie suggested calm
ly, extricating herself from his
cruel grasp on her shoulders.
"She was with us when we de-
cided we'd have to abandon the
house. Bart moiStened dry lips
nervously. "She told me to drive
on ahead, that she'd follow in the
last car"
II was driving the last car out"
one of the men spoke up, shook
his head. Didn't even see her"
We'll. perhaps she didn't want
to alarm you unduly and had de-
cided to risk getting to the look
out station to phone for help, or
something" Pete concluded a
little weakly.
But his calm took effect on the
weary little group. They chung to
his er-of-factneSS like ship
wrecked sailors to a raft, in
stantly obeyed his suggestion that
all return TO town as quickly a:
possible. telephone word back il
Dawn were not at home yet
Julie reused when Pete carried
her from the car to the house
She was grateful TO Hdlda for I
warm bath, for being bundled
into bed. And sank almost imme-
diafelv into deep. chnd-like sleep