The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-10-31

notebook Of sketches onto the
table. "No earthly use to me, of
course; but priceless as a means of
putting Tim in touch with his fell
low men after last summers de-
bacle. He's out now--of his shell.
mean. It's up to you to keep him
there, my little one"
Buff, grasping the significance
Of these ten days-wasted as far
as Lance's own work was con-
cerned-laid her cheek against her
fathers hand.
t"You're - you're pretty swell,
darling" she told him huskily.
"And if / can't carry on from
where you're leaving off. / don't
deserve him."
"Or he doesn't deserve you'll"
Eleanor could not forbear the
comment.
Lance disposed of the subject so
far as he was concerned.
Tins all right. What happened
to him might have happened to
any young fellow. The thing is
that he's not played enough-got
around to see people. He's made a
fetish of work and responsibility.
When he thought he'd failed at
both. and lost his ideal woman be-
sides, the sky fell-or so he be-
lieved. Give him little time to re-
gain his sense of proportion"
He rose. stretching his big frame
in relief. you're perfectly safe
here with Mrs. Webb. You ought
to have enough spare time to do a
little writing. Won't hurt Tim to
realize you have other interests,
you know. / think your mother
and | will go to Bermuda. Early
enough to escape the tourists. Kiss
your fond parents goodby, dear
child, and don't forget to write!"
Letters. stories or one act
piays?" Buff called after him.
Gall of 'em!" He swept his wife
from the doorway where she
fingered, gazing mournfully at
Buff. Come along, sweet! Remem-
Der that our train leaves at an un-
godly hour tomorrow morning!"
Popularity
THE friendly little town of
4 Boulder took Buff to its heart
| almost overnight. Tim Corliss,
coming dutifully and reluctantly
to pay late afternoon call on his
erstwhile hostess, was arrested by
sounds of hilarity from the living
room.
81 didn't know Miss Buff was
having a party" he said to Webby.
who had admitted him.
mo more she is; unless you call
every afternoon a party. Miss Buff
and me. we decided we might as
well serve tea every day. These
here young folks that drop in are
always hungry. You go right on in,
Mr. Corliss, she urged Hospitality.
miss Buff'll sure be glad to see
| your
If she was, she restrained her
delight admirably, he told himself.
He found her the center of a
laughing group of young people,
some from the University, some
older.
They sat upon the floor, they
filled the couches and armchairs
to overlooking. they were very
much at home, he thought with a
trace of resentment. One of them
in particular aroused his disap-
prevail.
"Mr. vanLander, Mr.. Corliss, /"
said Buff demurely. "Van's a
neighbor of mine. it turns out;
lives in the apartment just above "
Van" already, thought Tim. He
surveyed the neighbor with APP
praising eyes and was far from
liking what he saw.
Young VanLander-Tim grave
ly doubted that he would ever see
the late tWenties again-had hair
a shade too long, lashes like a
movie actresses, and a vocabulary
which was evidently his own pride
and Joy but which fell harshly
upon the ear of the young assayer.
Cup O. tear" Van inquired
brightly. "Ogle-doglel Get it for
you in a sec!"
He tremendously presented his
own chair to Tim; "aS if / were
ninety, or Whereabouts" Tim
unused with hostility. When the
tea was brought, Van doubled his
long legs perilously close to the
other mans feet. ("If he only
knew how they itch to kick himl")
Cosy little Joint here, Ell,
| what?" he began. mice child, our
hostess, in spite of having brains.
Personally I prefer women to be
as nearly devoid of gray matter as
is compatible with making a man
comfortable. But Buff"
Are you speaking of Miss Car
roll?" inquired Tim coldly.
Van stared. "None other: but
why the formality? Buff is much
easier to say, believe me! Lucky
break for me, having her move in
to this apartment. I'm perpetually
out of groceries - I'm my own
housekeeper, you see - and Buff
and dear old Webby come to nv
rescue"
what else do you do besides
housekeep?"
An expression Of deep gravity
settled upon the others face.