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ES . a vr | ’ <: ree a ar t saute i é ee Saag eS ‘ SSS pk aera . yi ~ i age ‘ali hah ie gE ae enegey { - mee ' THE KEY WEST CITIZEN ee es ss Le a a ee YR et ore toot wvenee A react ea | ra oo ‘Dy Camivért Dodeery cane Chapter 8 “ [NSTEAD of turning back to- ward home Jeff took the road out of the west side of town. After two or three miles the des- ert gave way to cotton fields, then ranches and large truck gardens. At a sign saying Rocking B Ranch Jeff turned in. There were ho truck gardens here Big A the pastures and white- -wash ences afid stables of a cattle caret. The palomino whickered as it caught the scent of its own kind; Jeff tied it to a post and entered the cool shadows of an enormous barn. An elderly man came for- ward to meet him. “Jeff Irskine! As I live an’ breathe boy, it’s good to see you!” Jeff took the other’s hand grinning. Aside from Luke Reems and Pacheco it was the first sin- eerely enthusiastic welcome he’d had. * “It’s mighty good to be back, Mr. Briscoe, even though some o the folks around here seem to look on me as a ghost.” Briscoe’s eyes crinkled at the COrners .s “You mean that stuff about fo bein’ killed, I guess. Hell’s bells, I never believe half them news- paper stories.” “Weill, I'm glad that one wasn't true.” Briscoe’s' keen sixty-year-old eyes could judge men almost as well as horse flesh. “What brought you out here, boy?” “A horse.” Briscoe grimaced. onnat some of your army humor?” Jeff laughed heartily. “No joke intended,—I want to buy one.” “Hmmm, that’s a_ different story. What you got in mind?” “A riding horse, of course, that’s all it will be used for.” “Got a pair of three-year-old seal geldings that are beauts.” “Lead me to ’em.” ge RISCOE took him to an en- closure where a _ group of horses. milled around. He pointed out two dark brown ones, each with a star marking his forehead. “They're half-brothers,” he ex- plained, “sired by one of my best prize stallions, Desert Chieftain. Aren’t they lovelies?” Gala Program Ko “Seems a shame to break up a pair like that.” ‘ “In a way yes, in another way 0,” “T don’t get you.” ‘es “It's jes ‘cause I’ve grown so fond o’ them that I feel that way.” Jeff stared at him puzzled. a oyaht you wanted to make a sale ” “Well I’m in the cattle business: for love and money. No use keep- in’ them around jes for looks, but: not many people are interested in matehed geldings these days) unless they’re lookin’ for work horses. That is except.for Ben‘ Coulter,” Coulter again! Jeff wondered fit his name was going to crop up/in every conversation he held. “What’s he got to do with it?” “He was out here about’ ten days ago and the geldings caught his eye. I asked him a pretty price for them. I don’t like a ° f Coulter and I don’t like the way he handles horses. I'd hate to think of him sawin’ on their mouths the way I’ve seen him doy with his own mount.” r?” “Well, Coulter said he’d let me know in a week. I haven’t heard} from him yet and it’s three days past the time. I’d like to sell you ohe, Jeff, then Coulter won’t be interested. He only cared about the pair. I’ll save the other rae | until someone wants a sin “But I don’t want to get you in trouble with Coulter. He may get. nasty.” “Yes, I hear he’s runnin’, things in a mighty high-handed manner these days, but he hasn’t inter fered with me yet. I’ve kept m end of the bargain,—the week is up and he hasn’t come out. I telly you, Jeff, you’d be doin’ mea favor if you bought one of the geldings.” Jeff studied the horses again. They were beautiful © animals, their coats sleek and gleaming in the sun, their necks arched proudly. “What are you asking for them, Mr. Briscoe?” The older man named a very moderate price. Jeff knew it must be less than half what he’d,asked i. r Final ‘F un from Coulter. much more,” he said, fits my wallet nicely. Sure you know what you’re doing now?” shadows “Then they’re already spoken; patted her . shoulder agitacks, Ap Newsfeatures “They’re worth “but that “Sure I’m sufe. I tell you Jeff, I’ve grown so darn fond of those boys I rides ’em.’ want to be certain of who The deal completed: Jeff se- lected his horse and shifted his saddle from the palomino. It took: some time to corral the gelding and. get him calmed down’ but once ¥eff was on him, he respond ed nicely to the reins. Instead of going back. through town Jeff cut across the’ desert: to -Pacheco’g where he left ,the palomino, The. were long when he turned into his own yard. It. sur- prised him to see Linda standing out under the cottonwood ag though waiting. far, him... « “Tm glad to see you're back all in one piece,” she forced a laugh. “I was afraid I might be called upon to dress a bullet wound.” “Worried about me?” “You and Dad.” Her forehead was puckered with anxiety. “What do you mean? Has some- thing happened to him?” “He had another coughing spel Jeff, —a bad one. It—it frightene me.’ Tears glistened in her eyes. Jeff gently. but dn’t say anything. He couldn’t. li fLinda was a nurse, she knew bét- ter than he the meaning of these The usual consoling ‘ohrases one said in cases of sick- mess would Sound shallow and eave to her, He went in td Me ardy. The older man was sitting up in bed, his eyes bright with fever, a fine perspiration filming his face. Jeff told. him about the gelding but ‘carefully avoided any mention. of Coulter.. He. felt he wasn't fooling Hardy a bit though; when he arose to poke up the ifire'so Linda could get sup- per,; Hardy said: “You know, Irskine, F couldn’t pretend I was glad to see you come walking in here two os agp, but now I’m beget 2 wonder if it wasn’t a bit of luck far the Hardys.” / “I hope so, ‘Sir. ” Good luck, he sdded mentally, (To be continued) I oa) ) TOpAY’s S BIRTHDAYS (Know America) Jackson Square USO will o’clock of the final Chamber Commerce “Fun Nite” for present season. Plans are underway _ to evening of gala entertainment, including a one-act play, present- | Packed House Sees Musical U. S. O's Tne musical show, Forward”, second performance Saturday evening. The doors had to be closed to, keep out the people who were not Night’ At Jackson Square | i be ed by the “Gaslight Players”, the setting tomorrow night at 8 titled “None of Them Are Per-5 ‘of féet”’ the ‘Should Know.” : .close, a chanee to vie for honors 4n a! this series of gay nights with an super quiz show with contestants ; sen, “Best Smile played to an average attendance on its opening night, | Friday, March 21, and packed the Club Driftwood to capacity on its Arturo Toscanini,. famed con- ;ductor-musician, born in Italy, 80 tvears ago. Byyon_ Price Wy pgistant- sect Husband preialyemee her % ae director bof eenworeip, Boh int a a All bf the 48 states will have pind, 56 ‘ybaws ‘ago. Liaise dai William S. Kinud? onetime Army Production§ en- vt - or” “What Every from the audience of visitors. \he vad, born in Denntark, 68 years Beatrice Moreno will provide ago. ‘accompanying music on the piano | iz bade Pan Ete FY of Jecee orky eoupbratien heac for community singing’.-ef ald iBoys Club ceria leader, born favorites. ; im St. Mary’s, Pa., 69 years ago. Greyhound Moter Lites 0 Dr. Robett Li Johnson, presifient Strunk Lumber Yard will donate of Temple University, *Philadel- refreshments. | phia’ born in New York, 53 years This last night of a very suc-|ago. cessful series oi “Fun Nites” | Charles Lyman Mitchell of promises to be the best yet. All; Washington, D. C., U.S. Weather visitors are invited to come and! Bureau forecaster, born in Dunn- ‘meet friends. ings sville, Pa., 64 years ago. seated at the tables and even at that spectators lined the club in every space available. The U.S.O. show was well re- ceived at both performances and the dance music of Hector Bar- roso and his Spotlight Band aise pleased the patrons. Several celebrities and walk known writers from the North passed favorable comments on the entire performance. Both sponsoring committees, Lions Club and Community Chest, have expressed their appreciation, for the coaching done by Gerald JOB PRINTING Modern machinery and efficient methods enable us to offer you superior printing service at fair prices. Consider us when you place your next print- ing order. Phone 51 and Our Dipccsciitalies Will Calk eeeeeee saeceseqagsecisensesioeesevesereey SSSSHOSCHSSHSFPSSOSOCHESCOLESE Pinder, director of the show. Ap- preciation was also given to Hec- i he Artman F ress | > tor Barroso for turning over his } a club to the committees for the} THE CITIZEN BUILDING sicibiiiemdtae ne te vaeibedamsaa rad oor ete MAXWELL’S LINOLEUM 9-Foot and 6-Foot Widths TOY sq. yd. : RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT and SUPPLIE tre MAXWELL CO. ne. Furniture and Furnishings PHONE 682 909 Fleming Street. Corner Margaret St. VENETIAN BLIND two evening performances. The Little Theater Group, com-.j prising the cast, will take the show ! on tour before starting rehearsals | ‘on their new production, ‘“Froli¢s of 1947", which is scheduled to}! go into rehearsal the latter part of | April. (aa a REARS ETE ATEN? Birthe | | cS SS Daughter To Palmer, Born to Mrs. Edward E. Palmer, i wife of Lt. Edward E. Palmer of , the Key West Submarine Base, ! a daughter, Dorothy Foreman} Palmer, Jr., at the U. S: Naval] Hospital. { ke | The baby weighed seven pounds | at birth. The Palmers have one, other child, a boy, three and a} half years old. —_— | Son To Wickers A son was born this morning! at 10:13 o’clock to Mr. and Mrs, ' William Wickers, 614 Ashe street. | The newcomer weighed eight: pounds and nine and one-half ounces. During World War II, 98 per} cent of U. S. Marine Corps of- ficérs and 89 per ‘cent of ¢hlistéd | men served overseas. Key West, Fla. diptten aipitionsienntgriimanenatine