The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-10-30
Chapter Is
Parental Pressure

Parental Pressure
pUFFS parents arrived in Bould-
II er the next day, Lance raging
at having to come for his recreant
daughter, Eleanor uneasy over a
situation which she did not in the
least understand. Buff made it all
clear to them both in half an hours
talk.
Tin needs me-" she said. "And ]
II need him. That's really all
there is to it. dears."
Lance, hitherto restrained by his
wife's hand on his. burst into ex-
clamatory speech.
"All? All? It's neither the begin
ming nor the ending. Buff, are you
sure you're well? You may be COM
ing down with one of those linger-
ing illnesses; walking typhoid,
perhaps. At any rate, want to see
this fellow; ask him some queS-
fions. Who does he think he is, any
way, that he expects to marry my
daughter on such short acquairlt-
ance. and without my consent?
Why. I've never so much as laid
eyes on him! Your mother and
l.
Eleanor again silenced him.
There's really only one question
to be asked. Buff darling. Do you
love him?"
Buff raised clear eyes to hers.
Il don't know. Eleanor, truly l
don't. All / know is that want to
take care of him. He's been so ter
ribly hurt" own sensitive face
reflected Tins misery-"and he
has nobody but George Weekes to
stand by him. And-and l do need
an occupation!"
Marriage should be something
rrore than an occupation, dear. 1t
is an occupation, of course; a full
time JOB for any woman. But I'M
less there's romance-glamor-to
start one off with, I doubt if it
would be bearable."
They were talking together,
mother and daughter, as if Lance
were not present. a fact he re-
scented.
whats the mans name?" he
demanded. "CorliSS-oh, yes, l re-
member you wrote US about him.
Tell me why he's been hurt. Why
should he be hurt? He's a grown
man, isn't he? Men don't allow
themselves to be hurt. Men are first
of all-that is, if the amount to
anythingl - self-reliant. Look at
me, for example. Do I need help?
Does anyone look after me? On the
contrary ! spend my life protecting
my wife and daughter"
changed smiles. Buff launched into
a detailed account of what had
happened to Tim. She knew and
counted upon her fathers easily
aroused sympathy for the unfairly
treated. Norlwas she disappointed
in this case. By the time she had
finished, Lance was boiling with
rage at Iris DeMuth, her partner in
deception, the entire citizenry of
Boulder, its government, its local
ordinances and state laws. He was
with difficulty restrained from
,.unting up a lawyer and filing
charges against several people,
George Weekes included.
HE should have realized what
was happening" he said illogically.
''He was here while poor Corliss
was in Idaho Springs. you admit |
that yourselfi"
EIaaror ,-o,,,a;~aI ,,a~aa,,aJ L.,
the story Of Tins various misfor-
tunes. Usually the Softest-hearted |
Of women, she was definitely an
tagoniStic toward this man who |
had usurped her parents place in |
Bluffs heart.
Incredibly Stubborn
Eff TT is her heart and not her
Il maternal complex" she unused.
Heaven knows I want a happy
for my child, but how do |
] know this would be happy? It |
doesn't sound so. The only thing
in the mans favor is that so far he |
has held out against Buff" She
paused to reflect on this amazing
&OA A0AAC e1A4A A@oAASC tAAAC w |
what'it meant to oppose the girl |
when she set her mind as we'll as |
her conscience on any action. He |
really must be a strong person."
she admitted reluctantly. COR else |
incredibly stubborn"
Mrs. Webb greeted the CAROLS |
with Joy, declaring it was a real |
pleasure to have the artist to cook |
for. She served them lunch which |
banished the last of Lance's i'll |
humor. and he set forth to call on |
Tim in his pleasantest mood.
II wish he wouldn't CO." Buff |
said unhappily. "This is my own
problem. I don't want any parental
pressure applied. If Lance chooses
TO play the heavy father"
Darling, don't you know him
better than that? He'll probably
fall into conversation with Mr..
CorlisS-"
''Timi"
well, Tim, then" she sighed.
Hell probably get Tim to talking |
Of mining and miners and before