The Raymer enterprise., 1913-07-17

tablishment. began to show that c.
pacity for management. that combina'
ton of executive power and gentle
force-bequests from both parents
that added admiration to the idolizing
love the Bonanza King had always
given her.
The house In which this pampered
princess ruled was one Of those enor.
nous structures which wealth that
sought extravagant ways Of expending
itself reared upon that protuberance
In the clty's outline called by San
Francisco Mob Hill. The suddenly.
enriched miners Of the Comstock Lode
and the magnates Of the railway had
money waiting for investment, and
the building Of huge houses seemed as
good one as any other.
Here, from their front steps, they
could see the city sweeping up from
Its low center on to the slopes Of grid
ling hills. 1t was a gray city. crowd
ing down to the edge OF the bay.
which. viewed from this height, ex-
tended far up into the sky. In sum.
mer. under an arch of remote, cold
blue. It looked a bleak, unfrlendly
place. a town In which the stranger
felt depressing. nostalgia chill. In
winter, when the sun shone warm and
tender as a caress. and the bay and
hills were like a mosaic in blue and
purple gems, 1t was panorama over
(which the passer.by was wont to lin
ger. The copings Of walls offered a
convenient resting place. and he could
lean on them. still as lizard in the
bath Of sun.
Bill Cannon's house had unbroken
command Of this view. 1t fronted on
1t In irregular, massive majesty. with
something In Its commanding bulki-
ness that reminded one Of Its owner.
1t was Of that epoch when men built
their dwellings Of wood: and numer-
GUS bay.windows and a sweep Of mar.
BILE steps hanked by sleeping stone
lions were considered indispensable
ad5uncts to the home Of the rich man
who knew how to do things correctly.
Round 1t spread green. carpet Of
lawns. close-cropped and even as vel.
vet. and against Its lower story deep
borders Of geraniums were banked in
slopes Of graduated scarlet and Grim.
son. The general impression left by
1t was that Of splendor that would
have been ostentatious and vulgar had
not the studied elegance Of the
grounds and the outflaring glorles Of
sea. sky and hills impaired to 1t some
Of their own distinction and dignity.
On the day following their depart.
ure from Antelope. Cannon and his
daughter reached home at nightfall.
The obsequiously.welcoming butler
an importation from the East that the
Bonanza King confded to Rose he
found 1t difficult to refrain from kick.
ing-acquainted them with the fact
that "Mr. Gene had been up from San
Luis Obispo" for two days, waiting for
their arrival. Even as he spoke a
masculine voice uttered hail from
the floor above and a mans figure
appeared on the stairway and ran
quickly down. Cannon gave a care.
less look upward.
"Ah there. Gene," he observed. turn
ing to the servant who was helping
him of with his coat. "Come up to
town for spell?".
The young man did not seem to no.
tice anything especially ungracious
in the greeting or probably was used
to It.
Eyes, Just up for a look around and
to see how you and Rosey were. Got
showed in, didn't your" he said. look.
ing at his sister.
She kissed him afrectionately and
drew him to the light where she sub.
jected him to sharp. exploring scru.
tiny. Evidently the survey was sat.
isfactory. for she gave him little
slap on the shoulder and said:
Good boy. Gene. San Luis is agree.
Ing with you. Yes. we were showed
In for nearly three weeks. Papa's been
half crazy. And you've been In town
two days. Prescott says. II must have
been dull here all alone"
"Oh. haven't been dull. I've been
going round seeing the boys and
bis sisters sudden, uneasy look
checked him and he answered It with
quick reinsurance Of glance and tone.
Everything strictly temperance. Don't
you get uneasy. I've lived up to my
promises. The ranch Is mine all right.
father"
He had high. rather throaty voice.
which. without seeing his face. would
have suggested weakness and lack Of
purpose. Now rs he looked at his
father with slight and somewhat
foolish air Of triumph. the old man
responded to his remark with a sound
which resembled a grunt Of scornful
incredulity.
Really. Gene" said his sister, her
manner Of fond qualification In
marked contrast to her fathers rough.
ness. that's the best news I've heard
for year. It's worth being showed
up to hear that when you come out.
| or course you'll get tho ranch. al.