The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-11-18
Chapter 80
Together

a INT it the TRUTH" Webby
\ asked, as if she had read his
thought That's one who'll get the
cream every time while her betters
have 10 take skim milk. Miss Buff
sure made a mistake when she
hung Iris around her neck. Like as
not, she'll be wiring again that she
don't like Chicago"
'Thope she does" the young man
said through set teeth. Il only hope
she does!" He took Webby by her
fat shoulders and spoke determin-
eddy. From now on - or at least
unit; Mr.. Carroll comes-I'm look
ing after Miss Buff, understand?
You're to bring me all kilograms
or call me to the telephone when
it's fixed. She's not to be bothered
with anything, least of all Miss De-
Muth. Do ! make myself plain,
Webby?"
sYou sure do" the housekeeper
agreed; and added, with e sidelong
glance to see how this addition
would be received, "and high
time, tool"
Buff awoke around one o'clock,
weak but free from pain and fever.
Tim would not let her talk.
"Wait till after the doctor
comes" he babe her. I'm expect
ing him any minute now"
In the middle of the afternoon
two cars made their way up the
road: Dr.. Westland's and Tins,
driven by Simons.
"Well?" demanded Tim anxious
ly when the physician came down
stairs.
almost" DR.. Westland replied,
smiling. "She's been a pretty sick
girl, but you seem to have known
what to do. She's to stay in bed for
at least week, have plenty of eggs
beaten up in milk and cream, let
alone-you get that, Corliss? No
excitement of any kind. She's in a
rundown condition. That's why
this pleurisy hit her so hard. I've
given Mrs. Webb thorough instruc-
tons, and I'll come out every day
if the weather permits"
"How about wiring her parents?
They're in Arizona, you know"
"Pll attend to that myself. No
need to alarm them-Ill tell them
so. AS for you"
I'm staying here until she's
wei" Tim announced. II won't tire
her, ] won't do anything but stand
by IN case she gets worse. You can
trust me, Doc!"
DR.. Westland inspected him over
the rims of his spectacles.
u believe / can, hope | can!
You're not particularly needed
here, but maybe it's Just as well
somebody besides the servants
should be in charge. I'll see about
having the telephone fixed at once.
That's essential. I've given her
sedative-I want her to keep as
quiet as possible for a day or two.
Don't go into her room unless she
asks for you. If she does, stay only
a few minutes and don't talk any
more than is necessary"
So began the fortnight of Tins
second stay at the ranch. Buff did
little but sleep for the first few
days; sleep and sip the glasses of
creamy milk brought her by Web
by.
Does she know I'm here?" Tim
asked the housekeeper wistfully.
Webby shook her head. "She
don't hardly know anything. She's
like a WORKOUT child. Sometimes
she goes to sleep while I'm giving
her her egg and cream. But Doc
claims that's what she needs"
So Tim continued to tiptoe to his
room, contenting himself with see
ing that the house was kept warm,
the road to the highway open, and
the telephone in working order.
So Infinitely Dear
"CHE can sit up while this after
- noon" DR.. Westland an
nounced at the end of the week.
There's no fire in her room,
though" He cast speculative
eye at the blazing logs in the living
room. Tim trembled with eager
ness.
Gould would it be all right
for me to carry her down here?"
The astute doctor hid a smile.
Webby reported that Tins name
was often on the patients lips in
her drug-induced sleep.
"Pll go back upstairs and tell her
you're here" he said after mo-
menfs thought. Presently he was
down again. nodding reinsurance
TO the anxious Tim. ITS all right.
She'll be expecting you. But she's
not to stay up longer than half an
hour. and she's not 70 be excited in
any way" He emphasized the final
warning and took his departure,
his smile growing broader as he
unused on the romance unfolding
beneath his eyes. "Its a disease
like any other" he chuckled.
Rapid pulse, decisions. loss of ap-
petite; but it's a form of illness
most patients welcome, and more
often than not convaleScence is de-
layed until really permanent re-
lationship has been established.
Bless the youngsters" said DR..
Westland who would be sixty
eight his next birthday and
thought of Buff and Tim as barely
out of childhood.
Webby came down Importantly
at three o'clock.
"She's ready, Mr.. Tint"
II required all his self-control to