The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-11-18
by JEAN RANDALL

| speak quietly, even casually, to the
slim girl in the warm bathrobe.
Her eyes were very blue in her
pale face, but the smile he loved
shone suddenly as she caught sight
of him. 1850 80
Hello, Tim!'
Hello, Buff" Nice to find you
looking so well. May l." With
out waiting for an answer he
stopped and lifted her gently in his
arms, bore her down the stairs.
He wondered if she could hear the
pounding of his heart. So little, so
Infinitely dear and precious, and
safe for the moment in his keepingi
Webby fused about her in the
| living room. The big chair must be
close, but not too close. to the FIRE.
A footstoof beneath her feet. light
blanket over her knees. Was there
anything else?
Nothing, Webby," the girl an
swered for herself. I'm perfectly
comfortable. I'm grand = Just
where / am"
When the housekeeper with
drew at last. sending inquisitive
glances over her shoulder, Tim
pulled a cushion close to Bluffs
footstool and sat down. He dared
not speak, he dared not let her see
his face. DR.. Westland had warned
him against exciting her.
"Tinr'
eyes, Buff" he said huskily.
"Why - why did you come? ]
mean-you didn't know / was i'll,
did you? Webby said the telephone
wires were down"
He kept his eyes on the fire.
Lets not talk about it until you're
stronger. You've been very sick
little girl, you know"
She was silent for perhaps three
minutes, really remarkable feat
for Buff who was getting well.
Then:
Tim, ] want you to know about
Iris. She's all right now, she's truly
happy, She's"
Electrified
&C iris" All his suppressed anger
at the girl cracked in his
voice. what do care about Iris?
1t was she who was responsible for
your illness. You wouldn -" He
checked himself, gulping down the
words which crowded to his lips.
Look here, Buff, we mustn't talk.
Not this first time, anyway. I'm go
ing to sit still and not open my
mouth until it's time to take you
upstairs. / had my orders from DR..
Westland this morning"
"Al right" she agreed meekly.
The minutes passed, slow-footed.
To have her so close, so sweet, so
gentle and friendly. and not gather
her to his heart, demanded a self
control which required all his
strength.
He was electrified to feel the
touch of small hand on his head.
'Tim!"
Hush, my darling!"
"B-but-am your darling,
Tim?"
He turned toward her, knelt
so that his face was on level with
hers.
II love you with all my heart,
Buff" he said simply.
Her arms went round his neck
and she rested her head against his
shoulder.
II know I mustn't talk. DR.. West
land told me, too. But {. but
how long, Tim?"
Apparently he understood the
cryptic question.
Ever since I saw you, think.
Since the first moment you came
up the steps and spoke to me. ]
seemed to know then that-that It
wasn't only my money, and my
prestige as an assayer I'd lost. but
my heart, too"
Silence. The two before the fire
had no idea whether it lasted two
minutes or two hours when they
heard Webby's scandalized voice. .
"Mr. Tim! So this is how you
take care of her, IS it? | guess I'd
better get Doc on the phone. guess
I'd better wire Mr.. Carroll. Il"
Tins shining eyes met hers
above Bluffs golden head.
She's mine now, Webby. II
there's any consulting to be done,
I'm the one to offer suggestions. I"
He picked the girl up in his arms.
"She's going back to bed. Oh, yes,
you are darling. I can't have you
firing yourself"
Webby followed close behind.
"And you ought to seen the kiss
he give her before he put her back
in bed" she said to Simons that
night. II guess them movie censors
would have tore their hair, 1t lasted
so long" Then realizing that she
had been betrayed by excitement
and satisfaction into a somewhat
| intimate speech with the foreman,
she added: ""But who's got a better
right than them two? Going to be
married as soon as her pa and ma
get here from Arizona. Mr.. Tim
wants to take her to Florida to get
her strength back"
At the telephone Tim was saying
unsteadily: THAT you, George?
Tim speaking. Just wanted to tell
you to keep next Tuesday free: GO
ing to be a party out here. Sort of
exclusive, too. Buff and her father
and mother, DR.. Westland and a
minister. Webby, you and Simons
and yes, I .expect to be among
those present tool Guy, I'm that
happy" Embarrassed by his
own emotion he slammed the re-
ceiver on its hook before the dazed
George could answer.
TIE rND