The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-10-20
Chapter Five
George Weekes

SudpIeT rive
George Weekes
TWO weeks went by; three; and
Il the only real change at the
ranch was Tins promotion to
clutches which allowed him to
come downstairs once day. This
usually happened about four
o'clock, and he stayed down until
his early bedtime.
George Weekes came often to
visit his partner.
You ought to charge me board"
he told Buff. "Or maybe earn my
vittles by taking old Tim off your
hands for a while. He's not exactly
thrilling company these days"
There was a hint of interrogation
in his voice, question in the way he
looked at her, but she chose to ig-
more everything but his actual
words.
ooh, he's coming along nicely
now. DR.. Westland is quite pleased
with him."
That's a darned nice girl"
George informed Tim upstairs a
few minutes later. Pretty, too.
Or had you noticed?"
Tim afraid | hadn't" The
other man was apologize but still
vague. She's kind little person. I"
He passed his hand over his fore
head. Now you speak of it, it oc-
ours to me she's given me a lot
Of her time and hasn't bothered me
with questions.
Weekes said pointedly: "She's
pretty! Did you hear me tell you
so?"
'Her name is Buff" Tim had the
air of a man who has performed
his whole duty.
And you think that describes
her, my dear chap? Far, far from
II. ! have an idea it's a nickname,
earned by her achievements as
shock-absorber. Any notion what
color her hair is?"
Tim shook his head.
"Ifs like gold. Raw yellow gold.
You used to be familiar with the
color, old man. How come you to
miss II now? True, she wears it as
unobtrusively as possible, but it's
gorgeous hair, just the same. Her
eyes
He stopped for Corliss' big
hands were opening and closing;
there was a fine beading of per-
spiration along his upper lip.
George, tell me I've been
trying to get up enough nerve to
ask you every time you come.
Have you-is there"
Weeks replied badly: you're
wanting to ask me if there's any
further news of Iris DeMuth. The
answer is: no; and God be thanked
for that" he ended piously.
Silence fell upon the room. Be-
meath the open window came the
sound of voices: Buff Carroll
speaking TO Atkins; Atkins almost
inaudible reply. Suddenly words
poured from Tim Corliss in tor
rent. rs, ~
George, I can't yet believe It'll!
That it happened to me. ! meant
] wake up in the night and think
it's something l dreamed-some-
thing / read in the paper. She was
--is-So sweet, so when she
smiles, George, it's absolutely in
credible that she . . but even if
distrusted my own knowledge
there's you, of course. The thing is
what torments me is-thinking
that perhaps I could have prevent
ed il. If il hadn't been for my
damn carelessness-if I hadn't
gone to Idaho Springs for those
ten days"
Pipe down, old man." his friend
said gently. Remember it wasn't
only Iris. There waS-Latshaw,
too"
Advice
At this, Tins face went down
"A into his hands and he sat so
stiIl that a belated butterfly
sailed in and alighted on his shoul-
der. George viewed the pretty
thing with bitter eyes. Just so had
Iris-Iris of the wistful eyes and
graceful limbs - come to rest
against the bigness and simplicity
and belief in the goodness of all
women that was Tim CorlisS;
rested briefly and moved her
painted wings and few away. But
unlike the butterfly, she had left
a poisoned barb behind. With an
abrupt movement Weekes startled
the insect into fight.
Snap out of it, guy!" he adj
monished his partner. sits over
and done with; nothing left for
you-for us-but to forget the
whole internal business"
IF only you hadn't been drawn
into Il, Georgel"
They had been over this ground
many times. Weekes made the
only answer that helped the other.
q was, and that's that; and the
sooner you get well enough to take
your place in the Office, the sooner
Wen both be on the upgrade again.
You owe 1t TO me, Tim, to shake
this off as quickly as possible"
Tins face was haggard but pur-
poseful when he lifted il.
Yes" he assented. And again,
Yes, I'm coming along, COM
ing along. In another week or
two
His friend studied him anxious
~. II didn't seem to him that Cor
liss was making Improvement.
George thrust his hands In his
pockets and pondered. AS a result
~ hfu ShpfF0ht4 ha oNs,rooel,od