European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 05, 1948, Darmstadt, Hesse By Jean Sullivan illustration by Martin Freyer it. Was several minute before Bill Keith Riding the sorrel came into 441?i Malana raised the automatic aimed and fired sorry Bill she murmured. So was the policeman who just could t believe the Lovely blonde was sinful synopsis Bill Keith a policeman from Cleveland checks into an exclusive Nevada summer resort As a san Francisco Playboy to do some investigating. Bill s Best Friend Rick Martin was reported to have drowned accidentally at the resort on his wedding Day a after too much drink. But Bill knows his Friend was a Teet Taler and decides he was murdered. Bill meets an attractive blonde Alana Stevens the Secretary. Of Cal Rotter manager of the resort and likes her. One night however he finds her in his Cabin and though she says she called to be Friendly he suspects she was searching his belongings. He decides to watch her and next morning when Alana goes Riding he follows her. Before he joins her Alana is met by col and his Henchman gig Bensoni. Cal did Send Alana to search Bill s Cabin last night but he does not completely Trust her. He toasts to Konio Why she goes Riding every morning so Early. Just then Bill appears and Cal immediately suspects Alana a d planned this meeting part Iii. Bill Keith saw the three of them Ashe Rode along the Stony path toward the Cabin. They had turned ceased talking and fixed him with unwelcome stares. As. He reined the thin Gray horse to n Stop there was nothing in his expression to indicate his True feeling the uncomfortable sensation of having interrupted a discussion of himself. He said Good morning. I m Lucky to Fin the three of you together and that did t help the strained a look of puzzled wonder Alana Stevens was staring at Keith and he avoided her eyes said with deliberate intent we just happened 1o meet miss Stevens up Here this morning while she was waiting for he glanced at his wrist watch. Alana try to be Back for work at ten will you the girl agreed with color spreading from Throat to forehead there were 16 murmured goodbyes and Routier an Benson started Back Down the Trail. Alana walked slowly to the Post where the Black horse was tied. Keith watching her struggled for the right thing to say. I Hope you re not in trouble wit Routier. Because of me he ventured. His voice brought the girl s head up sharply and the brightness of tears in her eyes made him uncomfortable. Why did you follow me she demanded. This morning to give you som Riding lessons Keith answered with Complete honesty. I watched you Riding and you need to keep your heels Clown especially on these Mountain trails. Let me show turned away mounted with some difficult v arid settled herself inthe Saddle. Not today thank you. I m going Back to the Keith urged his Gray horse View. Nearer to the Black one. Something Strong. When i came up to you just now the three of you nothing s wrong said Alana does Routier think you. Encouraged me that we had a Date Keith asked with sudden the girl s glance Quick ened yes. He s a Little jealous but everything will be All right or. Keith. Please Don t worry goodbye Keith decided against following her. He had set out to learn All he could about Cal Routier from Routier s he would need to talk with her alone where she would not be escape from him. Upon think ing it Over he decided he would try to catch her next arose Early the next morning but it was Luck that made him glance out of the window at the exact moment Alana Stevens walked by dressed again in Gray Frontier plants and Blue suede jacket. Keith dressed in Riding clothes too and followed he reached Lake in the sky stables Lana was talking with sunday Jones the stable keeper so intently that she did t look up until sunday glance past her and said loudly Morni sir Alana turned around. For a moment before she smiled pleasantly Keith saw a frightened Little girl look in her eyes which bothered morning or. Keith she you and sunday met.?""we have said Keith ironically. We had a Long talk about Riding stable horses after i came Back with that ancient Gray Job yesterday. Do i get Good horse this morning sunday the old Man rubbed a rounded Sun burned Chin with thumb and forefinger and Alana Stevens Sank suddenly to the Edge of a Bale of Hay. Well. " sunday about red Alana suggested brightly. Nut sunday said. He a Bui or. Keith is a very Good rider Aren t you or. Keith look he a the sorrel Over there.". Koith moved to the Corral Fence an admired the handsome horse she had indicated before he glanced Back a sunday. Sunday was looking at Alana with Odd intent nes -. If miss Stevens vouches for a he said with strange course exclaimed Alana. Sunday went into the Corral with rope and Halter and Alana watched him. Keith watched Alana. She Hada Calm level gaze and incredibly Long lashes Darker than her Gold red keep up with your Black. Mare Keith asked ? of Alana turned to smile and then looked Hack at Felt encouraged. When sunday had succeeded in saddling a Halter on red Keith mounted and took the spirited animal once around the space betwee barn and Corral. Like him sunday asked nodded smilingly in appreciation and looked at did i Tell you sunday she said. Or. Keith is an excellent s going to give me lessons one not this morning Keith asked with a struggle for casualness. Not this morning said Alana standing up and brushing at bits of Hay that her. Urn not was nothing for Keith to do but to ride alone. As he took red in spirited dance toward the Pine shaded Road he was aware of the uncomfortable heat thai spread upward from his neck. If he had suspected Alana Stevens of avoiding him the Day before he reminded himself he need suspect no longer. Now he was sure. Meanwhile Alana went Backo the Casino. She walked through the hallway to the office labelled manager an tapped on the door. Receiving , she entered marching deliberately to the Walnut desk. She opened the right hand Middle drawer and picked up the Black automatic she found there. With deft movements she removed the clip saw that it was loaded and took another Bullet from a Box in the drawer. Both Bullet and gun she slipped into the pocket of her suede jacket. Then she went Back the Way she had come. Sunday Jones held Jill s bridle Salana Stevens mounted and Bent to murmur something in his ear. He Shook his head and said miss Stevens i sure Hope a know what yer Doin Alana winced. I Don t want to do it. It s the Only thing i can think must go up there this morning the Black Mare covered ground quickly along the Road taken by the sorrel until Alana turned her in Amon the Pine Trees. Jill picked her Vay around boulders until she was halted in the shelter of a Large Rock. Alans dismounted. Here she had a View of the beaten Trail where it climbed the nearby Ridge at a Long Angle. The girl Sank to her Knees and wailed. It was several minutes before Bill Keith Riding the sorrel came into View. Alana. Her face tense and White Drenthe automatic from her pocket leaned Forward and waited. At last horse and rider had reached an inward Bend of the Trail where it was wide and the dirt whispered under her breath of Bill i m sorry then nicked off the automatic s safety aimed High and than two hours passed be fore Alana Stevens returned to Lakein the sky stables. Sunday Jones came toward her As she face flushed from the exertion of her Long ride Alana looked at the Oldman anxiously. Did you see him. Sun Day was he All right sunday Jones winked one Bright Blue Eye and nodded. Sure i seen him hews All right exception he got his fancy shirt Dusty. He a awful mad " Alana put on the suede jacket she had been carrying Over me Arm. Did he ask any questions or say anything she inquired in a Meek voice. Nope. I acted casual like too. Told him folks often target practice or hunted around Here and it most Likely was a spent Bullet scared Alana Stevens moaned softly and her shoulders drooped. I saw him fall and get up before i say sunday peered at her with interest. You Gettin Sweet on him i should say not the girl s slim figure came erect again. But i did twant to do what i did. I was afraid he continued on Page 22
