The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-27


Sorner putting big clouds from his
after dinner cigar. Morris. his son
and heir. who had come in late To
the noon meal. was just filling himself
a second glass of wine. The major
chuckled inly. but pretended to frown
as he said:
young man. re been hearing
things! Things that do not partictl-
larly please me-
.About me-" Morris asked. THAT
is a pity Such model son as ! Am
known to be. What's the matter,
GOVERNOR
no very great matter" the major
said, with an indulgent laugh. still
II wish it hadn't happened. I'm not
a bit straight-la you'll bear wit
ness have, tried to raise YOU Il n!aa.
not n milksop with, | may say fair
success. n man must hay" ms
amnsements. have not thought OF
Interfering with yours. All | ask is
that they shall be in good taste
''You surely don't accuse me OF
wasting any time on ugly womer.
sir?" Morris said. lightly. though his
breath came little quicker. The
major laughed again-there was even
twinkle in his eye as he said
mo. sir! That is so little a billiard
trait | should certainly disown q son
who showed it. Your river bend
flame, Miss Swan Hinton. woulC do
credit to Il man Of twice your expert
ence. Don't think | mean to lect'r.
YOU about her, neither about your
going with her to river bend parties,
or cumming with her worthless
father. old Nat. He is an entertain
ing old vagrant-and Lord. how H."
can fish. Besides. he is a sort of
king among the poor whites. \ u
must get to know them-you must,
indeed. know all sorts and conditions
Of the people you may one day aspire
to represent. The proper study OF Il
politician is mamie mad bette" D."
careful. though. how he mixes i
with study of woman. He cannot.
of course, leave the ruling sex wholly
out of 1.-THE thing is to study that
sex at just the proper angle"
THANK you for nothing, governor.
You've been setting me the example
that is SO much better than precept.
ever since | was in short fro ks =
Morris said gulping his wine. Then
he walked to the fireplace and began
kicking the hickory logs which smold-
cred and sputtered there. though the
windows were wide open. and the
world outside warm and sunlit with
the warmth of late May. Maj. Hilliar.l
who loved his land. and his son. with
almost equal passion. let his eyes
range over the broad acres of his es-
tate then brought them back to Nor
ris and said in Il voice of pit
ION my soul. I'm sorry for those
Hinton girls. Handsome enough for
duchesses. every one. and then their
gift They truly have music in their
souls, yet they would be better OIL
without it."
Il don't know-they love it so. |
believe they love. too. the distinction
it gives them" Norris said. looking
carefully away from his father. "rhey
are proud of being the only woman
band ever seen hereabout. Then
when they play. at the balls and bar
becues and fairs, of course, they are
brought in contact with-with bet
ter people than their own sort
There's the rutland the pity of
it. Mai. billiard said thoughtfuHy:
This contact with the better sort
will make their own sort distasteful
to them. They are big, splendid ami
mails, as soft-hearted as they are UNI
derbred, as innocent as they are ig-
norant. | wonder, indeed, that they
can be old Mats dauShters-he is GER
tainly tough citizen. 1t must be
they take after the mother. who is of
decent farming stock. If only her
girls were kept quietly at home. it is
likely they would marry farmers
themselves. and be happy ever after.
But hawked about as they are. they
learn to flout the decent Youngsters
who would make them such excellent
husbands; even that. however. is not
the worst. They will end by loving
where love means ruin"
'Old Nat will not listen to any talk
of marriage" Morris said, still look
ing away. "You know he lives easy,
since the girls bring in so much mon
ey"
II fancy whoever married one of
them would marry the whole family
Mai. billiard said. and that brings
me to my grievance. OF course, it is
ridiculOus-I dare say you thought
it was only a piece of innocent vaunt-
ing on the girls part. but You should
have checked her. Dick Daily tells me
at the last party you stood quiet when
Swan called herself Mrs. Morris Hill
lard. For ourselves it does not mat
ter-but | have a feeling about it.
You ought to have remembered that
that was-your mothers name"
The major was dark, with square
jaws, black beetling brows, a firm
chin, thin-lipped. almost cruel
mouth. Hiss on was fair and blue
eyed, with pure Greek profile He
had indeed the face OF the mother
who had died when he was born.
But some subtle inner stirring
brought uppermost the race likeness
indefinable yet beyond mistake 1t
was billiard of billiards who an
swered. slightly droppinghis head as
he spoke"
Il didn't forget, sir. Swan spoke
the truth
THE truth" Major billiard reeled
as from a blow, covering his eyes
with his hands. Morris's face had re
affirmed his words. After long
minute the father held out his hand
saying steadily:
AT least you show yourself NY
con Won had the couraoa nc: Ia lie