The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-11-03
Chapter II
Accusation

Accusation
I IFE moved along smoothly for
Buff and the two young men
throughout November and Deem
Der. At Thanksgiving Mrs. Webb
cooked a dinner which satisfied
even her ideas of lavishhess, and
reduced the diners to state of
com" from which they did not re-
cover for hours.
At Christmas Buff made a flying
trip TO New York where her rest
less parents were spending few
weeks. The girl was struck by a
change in their attitude toward
each other. Lance actually did
things for his wife as well as for
himself; more than that, he seemed
70 enjoy feeling himself the pro-
tector and defender Of his women
kind.
Leaving them alone together is
the wisest thing I've ever DONE"
Buff thought as the train bore her
back to Colorado. Queer, how low
ing people too much is sometimes
the worst way to treat 'eml" This
led her thoughts-but then most
things led her thoughts-to Tim,
and she wondered if her longing
TO see TO his comfort. to be the sort
of sympathetic and understanding
conrade her intuition told her he
needed, might not prove a prop on
which he would lean to his eventur
al detriment. Certainly he seemed
10 be growing stronger in every
way these days. Lance CAROLS
public approval seemed to have
been the shove needed to reinstate
him in the good graces of the town.
Perhaps his genuine indifference
20 what people thought helped. too,
Buff decided He went his way.
handled the work given him. made
no secret of his warm friendship
with Buff. but smiled and shook his
head when any talk of his engage.
ment to her was preached Buff.
too. had done her part. She had
called the editor of the paper in
which the gossipy paragraph had
appeared. and made it amply clear
that when there was any news of a
romantic sort to be released her
parents would do it for her and at
the proper time. A chastened So
ciety reporter called to apologize
and 10 ask if Buff wished retrac-
ton in print.
Il do not!" the girl replied. "All
] ask is that you keep my name out
OF the paper until give you leave
20 put il in--or until | discover
gold. kill my landlord, or other
wise become authentic news AS
for your silly item about Mr. Cor
ISIS and me. forget it! It'll gradu-
ally scep through the Office of the
paper that there's no truth in what
you wrote Or if il doesn't, it won't
matter. But no more arch refer
ences 10 budding romances where
/ am concerned"
Bull. despite Tins determined
attitude of casual friendship. was
enjoying her winter. She found the
high altitude stimulating. she liked
the brisk give and take of opinion
among the young people. The Uni.
versity attracted eminent lectur-
ers: Buff enrolled for a part time
course. Mrs Webb guarded her
vigilantly. George was perfect
conidant. Her typewriter had
clicked out two successful playlets
already.
And .hen, when the mildest jan
Uary Boulder had known in years
descended on the town, the young
er set was thrown into a state Of
wild excitement by the return of
Ir.s Delluth.
Eagry Dcnunciaticn
THE day before her arrival Buff
and Tim had quarreled bitterly
He came charging into herclivlng
room al the anwonted hhour1t of
three IN the afternoon. a fact Sufii-
GENTLY surprising in itself He
pl"uecd INTO angry denunciation
of her without any enlightening
preliminary. e4 g
Whatever else thought of you,
Buff. | believed you'd play fart
thought you'd be open and above.
board with me In fact, I'd come to
consider that you leaned a little too
far toward the side of frankneSs
and lack Of concealment. And then
this" He glared at her accusingly.
She had been writing. and little
tendrils Of her bright hair escaped
from their demure knot. There was
a smudge of typewriter ink on one
check She had slipped a blue vel.
vet sm0ck over her street dress and
its color was reflected in her eyes
She leaned back in her chair and
stared at him.
"Wha' have | done that's not
open and above board, Tim? How
have not played fair?" She added.
you might as well sit down while
you tell me. too. You're a bit over.
towering. standing there and glar-
ing al me. I've worked hard-l
don't feel like being glared at: not
until I've had my tea, anyhowl"
It'll do you no good to pretend
you don't know!" He slid auto.
matically into his usual comfort
able chair. In fact, the only thing
that would have helped at all
would have been for you to come