Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-08-30
CHAPTER vII.-(contInued.)

ing?" said Buford. They must have
known it was dangerous. They must
have been worried about you or they
wouldn't have telegraphed up"
"Oh, believe they did" The young
man tried to hide the annoyance the
questions gave him under a dry brew
fly OF speech. They did all that they
ought to have done. I'll see them
again on any way down"
And yet you persisted" The &C
tor turned to Rose with whom, as he
come quite friendly. THE blind con-
fidenoe of youth, Miss Cannon. isn't
1t a grand, inspiring thing?"
Dominick shifted his aching feet
under the rug. He was becoming ex-
ceedingly irritated and impatient, and
wondered how much longer he would
be able to respond politely to the con-
versational assiduities Of the stranger.
Now" continued Buford, kindly
satisfy my curiosity on one point.
Why. when you were told Of the dam
ger Of the enterprise, did you start?"
Perhaps l liked the danger, wanted
II to tone me up. I'm a bank clerk.
Mr.. Buford. and my life's monotonous.
Dangers a change"
He raised his voice and spoke with
sudden, rude defiance. Buford looked
quickly at him, while his eyebrows
went up nearly to his hair.
"A bank clerk. OH" he said with
70 N 81 Co. Ia
much chagrined to discover that the
child of millions occupied such a hum
BILE niche. '1-I-was not aware of
that"
AN assistant cashier" continued
Dominick In the same key OF exas-
peration, "and managed to get hol-
fday at this season because my father
was one of the founders OF the bank
and they allow me certain privileges.
II you would like to know anything
else ask me and I'll answer as we'll
as know how"
His manner and tone so plainly IN
dicated his resentment Of the others
curiosity that the actor flushed and
shrank. He was evidently well-mean-
Ing and sensitive. and the young mans
rudeness hurt rather than. angered
him. For moment nothing was said.
Buford making no response other
than to clear his throat, while he
stretched out one arm and pulled
down his cuff with a jerking move
nent There was constraint in the
air. and Rose. feeling that he had
been treated with unnecessary harsh
ness, sought to palliate it by lifting
the book on her lap and saying to
him:
This is the book we were talking
about when you came in, Mr.. Buford.
Wife In Name Only Have you read
it!" ss.f
She handed him the ragged yolume.
and holding II of he eyed Il with A
scrutiny all the more marked by the
way he drew his brows down till they
hung like bushy caves over his ewes
NO, my dear young lady. have
not Nor do feel disposed to do so.
Wife In Name Only!' That tells a
whole story without reading a word
Were you going to read it?"
No; Mr.. Ryan and I were Iust
looking over them. We were think.
Ing about reading one of them aloud
This one happened to be on the nile {"
TO me-" continued Buford "the
name Ii repelling because II suggests
sorrows Of my own"
mere was a pause. He evidently
expected a question which undouht.
euiy was not going to come from Dom.
inicS, who sat fallen together IN the
armchair looking at him with moody
lirhumor. There was more hone fror,
Rose, who gazed at the floor but .o,a
nothing. Buford was forced to renee,
win an unctuous depth of tone. "sup.
eests sorrows of my own" and fasten
MS glance on her. so that, as she
raised her eyes, they encountered the
commanding encouragement of his
sorrows of your own? she renee,
eo timidly, but with the exnectod
questioning infection.
fes' my dear Miss Cannon re
turned the actor with a melancho,v
winch was full Of a rich. dark enjoy.
ment. My wife is one in name oniv.
There was another pause and ns,
.ner showing any intention of break.
ing IT. Buford remarked.
That sorrow is mine.
What sorrow?" said Dom,,,.r
bruskly. Dominick
me sorrow OF deserted man" re
turned the actor with now %, a.
nsst time. something Of the dignity
VI sai feeling in his manner
Oh" the monosyllable was sv.r.
y noncommittal. but it had the air :,
nnan.y as though Dominick intended
% say no more. A'enoeo
mas she-er-left your" said n.
voice. a"e-stricken
acquiescent bow: 1 -
She has.
Assln there was pause. nh.
oFq chose to Be mors hsc~-~,X. /
3 ~ convenation sps,ecrsS :.
ocuc to = doadlocf N~I<, e
oe1r eould Ii III 49, /