The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-11-01

preached the subject of vanLan-
der cautiously.
II met an artist here last week"
he told her. "Have you seen any OF
his work."
He was relieved to near her de-
NAL. "He's invited me up to his
apartment to see display of it,
but I've been too busy to co. He
says he's very successful. how
ever" A sudden thought occurred
to her. Didn't ] hear him an
nouncing that you had become his
patron? You must have been very
favorably impressed by his work."
| Tim found himself in a dilemma.
If he told her he was buying Vans
productions in order to spare her
| the shame of being exhibited in
soap to the eyes of Boulder, she
would naturally wish to see these
presentments of herself. She was
the daughter of Lance Carroll and
really knew something about art.
Tim wondered whether her wrath
would fall upon his head for pre-
Stunning to find likeness to her in
Vans laundry writings. or for his
colossal ignorance in encouraging
the artist in what amounted to
criminal activity in soap.
81 ordered some of his things be-
fore / saw Them" he said at last. Il
Il had reason for doing it. / wish
now / hadn't. They're beyon d
words"
"How d'you m can beyond
wordS?" She was curled in deep
chair, one foot under her, her chin
propped on her hand. She asked
the question with interest.
They're like something a back
ward four-year-old might do if
you encouraged him sufficiently.
L.. was led to believe they were
were otherwise.
Buff grinned at him. 'Tim dear,
you do need me. don't you realize
it? What you're trying to say is
that Van told you he was doing
me, and intending to display the
figures in shop window. So you
came nobly to my rescue by buy
ing up in advance anything he
chooses to white. You're simply
putting a premium on that sort Of
Stiffness. Suppose couple of wa
ter coloriStS-and heaven knows
the place is full of 'emi-confide
to you that they're doing a profile.
full face. or figure of me and in
tend to show their wares in
prominent place. Shall you imme-
diately corner the market on all
possible Buffs?"
Male Clinging Vine
LIE muttered incoh.rently, once
II more thinking himself the
worlds worst idiot.
She said briskly. ell speak to
Van myself! Hush. ! shall, too!
After all, you were my guest and
he took advantage O. you"
Tins Jaw squared. "Still bent
on taking care of me, are you,
Buff? hoped you'd forgotten that
foolish idea"
She put on her softest and most
feminine expression. Il
Tim, there's a gaGoet to the
stove that neither Mrs. Webb nor |
can understand. Personally, I'd
just ignore it, but We.by fears
we'll be blown up in our beds some
night. l wonder if you'd look at it
and try to figure out what it's for?"
Presently he was tinkering hap
PLY with an oven thermometer
which had temporarily forgotten
its duties. BY the time he had adj
justed it, dinner was ready and
Webby had set place for him.
For one reason ind another, he
drifted into the habit of dining
with Buff at least once a week,
sometimes oftener. George usual
ly accepted the invitation for him.
Also Tim could not quite rid him.
self of a sense of responsibility for
this young girl who was staying
in Boulder because of him, and
had surrounded herself with
group Of young people about
whom he was a trifie dubious.
THAT VanLander guy" George
said thoughtfully one evening as
they were driving out to Bluffs.
HE practically lives there, did
you know it? He's a fool and Buff
knows it; but he's leaning so hard
on her that she's going all mater
nal and protective about him.. She's
set-up for the male clinging vine.
/ wish we could think of some way
to give him the gate"
Somehow this anxiety on the
part of the usually cheerful
Weekes upset Tim. He remem-
bered that Van had either been
departing or arriving for. the last
half dozen times Tim himself had
called. It was true that Buff had
stopped what she called vans
soapy sales" to the engineer. Van
apparently harbored no resent
ment toward what he had counted
on as steady source of income.
He remarked casually that he had
sold "three Bluffs" and the object
of his artistic achievements gave
Tim reaSsuring nod.
I've seen EN-" she said. "No-
body could possibly recognize me.
In fact one of 'em looks like the
sheeted dead, the other two like
Cubist's nightmare. Rest easy.
Tim"
whats it to Tim?" Van in
Quired casually. "You two en-
gagged, or something's"
at amounts to that" Buff said.
Which was why the paper next
evening had a none-too-subtle
paragraph to the effect that no
Boulder swain need exert him.
self to WOO the talented and
charming visitor to their fair city
since her affections were already
engaged.
Continued tomorrow.