The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-11-17
Chapter 90
Found!

OAA0o
LIE SHOULD have reached the
l. ranch before noon. Three
o'clock found him still on the high
way. his windshield wiper click
ing with the regularity of a metro
nome, the snow whirling in great
gusts before him. Occasionally he
ran into a road almost dry where
the wind had acted as a giant
brush: but oftener he encountered
drifts too great to venture into be-
fore making use of the shovel with
which he had provided himself.
Steam from his breath frosted
the windows and had to be re-
moved again and again. Several
times he missed the road entirely
and felt the crackle of drie'' grass
and sage brush beneath his tires.
But for the first time since Buff
flight his spirits rose. He whistled
as he got out and showed the small
car back onto the road. Here was
something he could wrestle with:
overcome. His mind was clear of
emotion, the vapors of bewiIder-
ment, remorse, grief, and loss
blown away by the icy wind. Even
his love for Buff was translated
into a discrimination to conquer
the elements. He would reach the
ranch or die in the attempt, he
told himself, almost gayly.
And reach it he did, though not
until the early darkness had fallen.
He had dreaded that dangerous
road which led to the house itself,
had almost decided to leave his
car and walk rather than risk hid
den boulders. To his surprise he
found that although snow lay here
and there upon the road. it was
evident daily work had kept it
open. The new foreman, he thought
with gratitude. was proving him
self a worthy successor to Atkins.
Tins car sped gayly along, up
20 the very porch on which Bluff
had found him sitting last October.
How much had happened in that
short space of time! How greatly
he. Tim Corliss. had changed.
thanks to Buff!
He chuckled to see the house
brightly lighted. Evidently Webby
and her fellow servant were TAX
ing full advantage of their isola-
ton. And who was to blame
them ran his indulgent comment.
Heaven knew it was dull enough
for them alone out here through
the winter. He hoped they had
lighted as many fires. kept the
radio on as many hours. cooked
and eaten as many hearty meals
as would help to tighten the
months of their exile.
The front door was unlocked
and he went in without knocking
or ringing. He forgot that the
steadily increasing Wind drowned
the sound Of his car.
Webby was coming down the
stairs as he entered: a Webby
whose appearance strangely be-
lied the Jolly picture he had been
building up his mind. Her face
was drawn and anxious. She bore
a hot water bag in her hands.
Upset
N1R. TINT" she exclaimed "You
IFi did get the message then!
But the lines down how did
you know
Know what?" He was sliding
out from his overcoat shaking the
snow from il before he tossed ii
onto the big chest in the hall.
Whats the matter. Wcrby? You
look upset"
Upset? I should think sol It's
Miss Buff" she went on gravely,
''She's awful sick and ! can't get
hold of Or Westl1nd. SimonS-
that's the new foreman hes kept
the road to the highway free but
he can't 90 on further with his car.
He"
Tins painful grasp OF her arm
checked her speech.
Miss Buff There? How long
when did she come? What's the
matter with her?"
81 amt right certain" Tears,
caused partly by anxiety and part
ly by Tins iron fingers. rolled
down her broad cheeks. "She
caught cold and il settled in her
chest"
Pneumonia" asked Tim. hor-
rified
Il don't know. She's suffering a
lot and she's feverish, but it don't
act Just like pneumonia to me.
She"
I'm going up to see her." Tim
said: and strobe past her. taking
the stairs three steps at a time.
Bluffs door stood partly open,
From the big bed came smothered
little means that wrung his heart
He tiptoed i'm and knelt beside her,
gathered her hot hands in both his
own.
Buff Oh. Buff"
She attempted to smile. then
caught her breath sharply.
SOh, Tim, il hurts sol"
docs il. my darling? Where?
Show me where?"
She laid her hand on her heart.
"Here-when I breathe"
els it all right when you don't
breathe?"
eyes. II / could just get along
without breathing -" Pain caught
her again and she bit her lip.