The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-12-12

| ly cat, Father Forester"
| He rose. "Pll give up, however
unwillingly," he said. "But you
must have a talk with the Com
missioner. Michael. and tell him
| everything. Everything" he re-
peated firmly, looking Michael in
the eye. "This is out Of my depart
ment. And I've got my doubts" he
| said as a parting shot, whether
he'll want you here at ALL"
'He will, Tuck replied sweetly,
IF you don't go poisoning his
/ Michael dropped into his chair
at the breakfast table next morn.
| ing, with a cheerful remark about
the state of the weather. He was
answered in kind. There was not
the slightest evidence that mys-
terry and even crime were in the
air.
Everybody happy?" he in
CURED solicitously.
"Of course" Tuck replied. She
Strengthened the asters in the bowl
on the table. 'sWhy not?"
Charlotte Jean came in to re-
port that gentleman had called
to see Mr.. Forester. Gle says it
isn't important, he'll watt" she
repeated the message, but Mi
chael had gone. He came back in
a moment, followed by Professor
Jared Devoe, who was rubbing his
hands.
%Mr. Devoe called on little
matter of business" Michael ex-
planned to Tuck as she held out
her hand to her guest, land / in
sisted that he have coffee with
us" s+'''
"Why, that's lovely" Tuck re-
piled. Were glad to have you, Mr..
Devoe. Michael, do hand me an
other. cup from the cabinet, will
your"
Explanation
DEVOE bowed to Bunny and
~ turned back to Tuck. "I'm
sure ! had no intention of intrucl-
ing this way, Mrs. Forester, it
was just :. I assure you I didn't
dream of your breakfasting so
early, and I saw Mr.. Forester ollt
in the garden, and wanted to have
a little talk with him."
But you must have a cup of
coffee first. Michael hasn't had
any, and his mind will be terribly
foggy until he does" She smiled
at her husband. smoothed down
her crisp yellow linen frock, and
picked up the silver coffee pot.
Cream and sugar, Mr.. Devoe?"
He sat down. still with an air
of hesitation, in the chair Michael
had brought up for him. very
we'll, then ;. just cream, please.
It is very kind of you. - he
laughed deprecatingly. "The fact
OF the matter is. haven't had any
breakfast yet, although / rose
early. IL had rather forgotten
about it."
That is not thing I'm at all
likely to do" Michael replied. He
took his cup from Tuck's out
stretched hand.
Nor !. ordinarily, however
80" he slipped his coffee, set down
the cup and turned to Bunny. He
surveyed her cool green dress and
her smooth dark hair with evident
approval. II hope you are enjoy
ing your stay on the campus, Miss
Temple?"
Bunny's eyes, at his full-lidded
heavy glance, took on look that
Tuck always thought of as faith
omleSS." There was veil before
their gray depths as she answered,
Very much, thank you"
We must try to provide you
with adequate entertainment" he
went on. There is very little to do
out here on the campus. However,
there are some interesting wood
land paths hereabout," he said in
gratiatingly. do you care for
walking?"
mot particularly" said Bunny
coolly.
Devoe took his rebuff calmly.
My mother and Mrs. Murchison
will perhaps be calling on you
within day or two, Mrs. Forrest
er. That IS -" he turned to Mi
chael with what he may have con-
sidered to be an engaging air of
frankneSs. Il think I shall Just dis
cusS my errand this morning here
IN the presence of the ladies. After
all. 1t is possible that an explana-
ton OF some sort will be due Mrs.
Forester :. that Is, If my mother
fails to call to see you. She NAV
perhaps lind herself unable to per-
form any social duties. lit NAV
become impossible"
Bunny buttered a square of
toast leisurely. Michael frowned
in polite attention.
I'm sure we shall understand"
Tuck murmured at random. isn't
your mother very well. Mr.. De-
voe?"
He put his coffee cup down on
the table carefully. 'Tt is not that"
he replied slowly. 81 speak, of
course, in riddles. I might say SIM
ply that she is i'll and ask you to
forgive her. But I prefer to tell
the exact truth to you, since | in
tend to consult Mr.. Forester. as
a wyer. on the matter. NV
mother" he said after moments
pause, "is rather upset at this time.
Her mental equilibrium is little
-: shall we say I. disturbed?
Oh. temporarily, of course" he
FASTENED to finish, perhaps at the
establishment In Tuck's face. 'We
are undergoing rather a trying
time at our house. Mrs. Murchison
IS being very brave, but the strain
IS telling on her, too"
You have had bad news of