The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1942-11-26

you mean-you couldn't &c
the extension on the loan?"
She nodded miserably.
why the emery old, pig-headet
fool" He made rumbling noise.
Of threat and disgust He pattet
her hands confortingly. well
keep your chin up. Honey. Maybe
we can talk to your Dad before
that gang gets back He'll figure
out something"
h Bat as the car rounded the las
curve, Sthey3 knew this would be
impossible. Cars of every make
and vintage were lined up before
the wide lawn Of Blossom Ranch
A small knot of men stood in a
huddled group on the long porch
sweaters pulled on over their
work clothes.
Rita was suddenly frightened
as she had never been in her life.
These men were Tom Brewers,
Jake Mosely, AL Michels. Ed
Mayorson. Since childhood they
had been part of the friendly pat
tern of Blossom Valley. Always
there to welcome her back from
school on vacations from work.
Their observations and doings fill
Ing her mothers and fathers let
tiers. She had felt their fondneSs,
their pride. They were Like a fam
ilyto her. And now suddenly they
wafe watching &heras strangers.
Suspicious distrusting. 4
There was an infiniteslmal mo-
ment of silence as, the small group
of men studied sher face. Then
they munibled salmost together,
Hello, Rita. 49, 81
Rita rushed across the porch
and opened the screen door. An
other group of ranchers stood to-
gether in one end of the comfort
able living room. She called to
them and went on to her fathers
bedroom ...
Sam Arlen and John Myers
were, in there, arguing heatedly
With Ralston. They stopped as
they saw Rita and the Doctor In
the doorway, They looked appre-
hensive as the Doctors roar filled
the room.
Nightmare
IT TOLD you to stay outa herei'
! Sam grinned sheepishly and
reached for his hat. 'Now Doc.
Keep your shirt on. We Just come
in this minute" The two OF them
numbered toward the door. But II
was blocked with crowd Of
ranchers from the living room
and porch.
The Doctor swore and began or.
dering the whole kaboodls OF
them off the place. But Ralston
stopped him, He was propped up
against three pillows, his face al
most as white as his thatch of
thick hair. his eyes cleaning with
effort.
"Let 'em all in Doc" he ordered.
Lets get this thing Strengthened
out once and for all now Rita's
back"
The Doctor tried to argue. but
the ranchers recognized the COM
mand in Ralston's voice and
swarmed in past him. Ralston
kissed Rita tenderly and held her
hands fast in his as he turned
back to them.
Make yourselves comfortable,
folks" His voice had no rancor.
"And Rita'll tell us just what hap
pened. | know Cunningham gave
her the extension if it was hui
manly possible for him to do it
And know she could convince
him If anybody could" -
Rita felt. she was in a horrible
nightmare as all eyes turned on
her. She struggled for the right
words. She had counted on a lonE
consultations with Rollys before
making herareport. Desperately
she gave them the gist BIZ her con.
, ferenceryith cunningham Reso-
lutely she gave brief resume Of
how, she spent the remainder oil
the day. spoke briefly OF her eve.
ming with Clark. And then, of the
surprising phone call.
~ A hush of shock went over the
ranchers. Ralston's steady voice
broke it. '"That's not like-Cunn.
ingharn," he said slowly. ''There'l
something wrong"