The Key West Citizen Newspaper, March 28, 1947, Page 4

Chapter 11 — eer TERR Ae pe sem Tne KEY Wrst CITIZEN foe ew ee By Cameron Dockery Jeff chuckled audibly. “Better TT! pointed purple shadow of| be careful, the desert can get un- the cottonwood had reached || the far side of the adobe by the time the Hardys and Jeff finished dinner. The air was fresh and cool, a stronger than usual breeze building from the northern ranges, Mr. Hardy with his ever-present woolen serape at hand settled himself comfortably on the porch; er your skin just like the ocean. t won’t let you go, it'll put the finger on vou for sure.” “It already has, I’m _ afraid. Cities and all the advantages. of urban life will never mean much to me again. It’s all this wonder- up as it swept down | ful space.” “Guess I. warned you too late,” he said, “You’re already caught.” [NDIAN ROCK was a peculiarly round formation with a jutting Jeff suggested that he and Linda | shelf that from the side resembled take a short walk. After a ques- tioning look at her father who nodded reassuringly, she cepted. “Where shall we go, Jeff?” ac-|doubtedly the a clenched fist with one pointing finger. It stood alone on a slope surrounded by sandy waste, un- result of some wrenching natural upheaval of a prehistoric age, From its shelf a “I thought we could stroll up |Sweeping panorama of the desert to The Finger. It marks the south- | was seen. ern boundary of my property.” Linda, and Jeff sat on the ledge “The Finger? What's that?” watching the weirdly brilliant He grinned. “It’s better known|and changing sunset soften the as Indian Rock because of the pic-|angular ‘shapes of the saguaros ture language some ancient tribes|and finally turn all the desert painted on it, but Dad and I re-|growths to shadowy purple named it The Finger.” splotches against the darkening “Why? Does it look like one?” |sand. Unconsciously Jeff reached “Sort of. It was more in honor|for the bullet and tossed it aim- of Amos Larabee, Dad’s old pros- | lessly until Linda reached out and pecting partner. He had a funny | stopped him. habit of saying ‘I’ll put the finger “What’s that Jeff? It looks like on him’ about anyone he didn’t|a bullet.” like. Since there were an awful “It is a bullet.” Inwardly he lot of people he didn’t approve of,|cursed his thoughtlessness then he was saying it most of the time. suddenly decided to tell her the Sort of a curse or hex of his.” @.| whole story.-It was good to dis- “He sounds like a formidable|cuss it with someone both sym- old fellow. Is he still alive?” pathetic and intelligent. _ “As far as I know,—still cover- “Coulter wants your land badly. ing the desert hoping to find a|I wonder why?... it can’t be ithe gold mine. Hasn’t made an im-|house.” portant strike yet. He built him- “Dad always insisted our prop- self a little shack outside of Yuma|erty contained valuable minerals and he sort of covers the area|but he never found any that 1 around there.” know of.” They started across the desert, Mephisto the hound dog at their| gether. “Suppose Coulter found heels, adjusting their stridé to the something of value that ran from gradual slope toward the foot-.| his land over to yours. That would hills. In spite of her small stature|be an incentive.” Linda walked well and easily.| Jeff stered at her. Jeff noted that she carried her-|you mean his land?” self erectly and her head was firm “Just that.” She gestured to the ‘ upon her shoulders. Her figure | west, “The land next to yours. He was compact and trim from her|told Dad and me he bought that “What do golden braided coronet to the!section three years ago, only he | curved-in heels of her boots. She| was careful to refer to the whole eniffed the air gratefully. ... business as his land.” Three Licenses To Wed Issued j D————————=—==_” ' ] | i Three marriage licenses were “idsued yesterday by County Judge Raymond R. Lord. They were issued to Benjamin L. No- smith, 22, Taber City, N.C., and Lucy C> McCraw, 22, of 79-1: Poinciana Place; to Hulot W. Ho-! den, 24, U. S. Navy, and Margaret P. Park, 21, of the Gibson Hotel, and to Kenneth Armstrong, 32, U. S. Navy, and Emily T. Box, 524 Bahama street... TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS ICE (Know America) is Guaranteed Ex-Gov. Herbert’ H. Lehman of New York, ex-director of the PURE United. -Nations Relief, P| y New York, 69 years ago. ace our Albert Laessle of Jenkintown, Pa., noted sculptor, born in Phil- on adelphia, 70 years ago. Spyros R. Skouras, presideht of Real born in meee ee ne Me cent: ee AP Newsfeatures f ond a al “When I left here Al Kenton * owned that property.” 3 “Perhaps Coulter did him out of it as he’s trying to do with you.” “Well it makes the situation a e clearer anyway.” 4 your deed yo “cans proye yeur’ title youknow. Berlaps The ve -5 eran’s Bureau would help you or a good lawyer.” “But pay?” . F “YeS, quite a neaf um, but I had other plans for it.” “Oh.” Her eyes grew faintly remote, “A girl maybe?” “Ummm, and what a girl! Big> brown eyes with inch-long lashes and a wonderful disposition, the contented type.” He grinned teas- ingly:.“Her name.- is’ Belle.” “That’s nice,” Linda said stiffly. *She’s a cow,” he added and chuckled. “A—a what!” “A cow,” Jeff repeated, “You see I planned to get a start rais- ing pure-bred cattle. That’s what I’ studied at college and that’s what I’ve saved every cent for. I thought I'd buy a little ranch u around Phoenix and get started. Lawyer’s fees would eat into it pretty heavily.” “IT see what you mean. Cows cost money, don’t they?” “Big money,—the cows I’m in- terested in.” Linda stood up suddenly, in the guickly;.lowening dusk her face Was indistinct. but her voice was clear and ‘positive. ... “Look Jeff, I have a hunch, call it Women’s intuition if you will. Why don’t you go and see Mr. Linda’s thick lashes came to-|Genptay?,He’s a mining man and lyou say Coulter seemed friendly |with his daughter and her friend. If Coulter is trying to interest him in this property, which seems a logical conclusion, he might say why.” Jeff stood up beside her, at- | tempting to see her face and fail- jing. “It’s worth.a try- anyway,” he agreed. “It should get results, good or bad.” (To be continued) Refrigeration ; | REAL ICE BASIS ” Twentieth Century-Fox Films, : . ; born in Greece, 54 years ago. and You Will Get GUARANTEED Refrigeration Service F. Malcolm Farmer of New York, noted electrical and me- chanical engineer, born at Ilion, | N. Y., 70 years ago. Dr. Horace G. Smith, president of the Garrett Biblical Institute, Chicago, born at Ransom, IIl., 66 years ago. Corliss Lamont of New York, teacher, writer, lecturer and civic worker, born at, Englewood, N. J., 45 years ago. Thompson En PHONE NO. 8 "rwVVVVVTVw~ VwvVVvVwe | STRONG ARM BRAND COFFEE TRIUMPH COFFEE MILL at ‘All Grocers WVvVvwTVswvITrVvwTVvTVvvVvevwrs Fast, Dependable Freig oe ELSES TONY'S AUTO BODY SHOP 603-605 GREENE STREET Near Corner of Simonton St. BODY and FENDER WORK Wrecks Rebuilt Auto Painting Complete or Retouching All Work Guaranteed —LET US GIVE YOU A BID— (No Stops night. LEAVES MIAMI SUNDAYS) at Local Schedule: (Stops At All Int M. and arrives a clock P.M, LEAVES MIAMI SUNDAYS) at 9: . ° i CRIPPLED CHILDREN Office: 813 Caroline Street | | | | | | | REAL ICE Overseas Transportation Company, Ine. 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