Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-09-13
CHAPTER Ix-(contlnued.)

CHAPTER Ix-(contlnued.)
At dinner that evening Gene was
very laxative. He told Of his life on
the ranch, Of fits methodical monot-
ony, of its seclusion, for he saw little
Of his neighbors and seldom went in
to the town. Rose listened with eager
interest, and the old man with a sulky,
glowering attention. At intervals he
shot 6 piercing look at his boy, eying
him sidewise with a cogitating intent
ness of observation. His remarks
were few, but Gene was so loquacious
that there was little opportunity for
another voice to be heard. He pratt
tied on like a happy child. recounting
the minutest details of his life after
the fashion of those who live much
alone.
In the light Of the crystal lamp that
spread a ruffied shade Of yellow silk
over the center Of the table, he was
seen to be quite unlike his father or
sister His jet-black hair and uniform
ly pale skin resembled his mothers.
but his face in its full, rounded con-
tours, slightly turned-up nose, and
eyebrows as thick as strips Of fur.
had a heaviness hers had lacked.
Some people thought him good-looking,
and there was a sort Of unusual, Latin
picturesqueness In the combination OF
his curly black hair, which he wore
rising up in q bulwark Of waves from
his forehead, his white skin, and the
small, dark mustache, delicate as an
eyebrow. that shaded his upper lip. 1t
was one Of his fathers grievances
against him that he would have made
a pretty girl, and that his soft, affec-
tionate character would have been
quite charming in q woman. Now,
listening to him, 1t seemed TO the
older man as II 1t we're just the kind
of talk one might expect from Gene.
The father had difficulty in suppress
ing a snort Of derision when he heard
the young man recounting to Rose his
troubles with his Chinese cook.
Before dinner was over Gene ex'
going to the theater.
I'm such a hayseed now" he said
as he rose, that l don't want to miss
a thing. Haven't seen a play for six
months and I'm Just crazy to see any
thing, Monte Christie" Uncle Toms
Cabin" East Lynne" I'm not par
ticular, anything'll suit me-"
Don't you go over to San Luis p
growled his father sulkily. They
have plays there sometimes. I sup
pose"
"Oh, yes, but I'm keeping out OF
harms way. The boys in San Luis
don't understand and I'm not going tc
put myself in the way of temptation
You know, father, l want that ranch.
He turned laughing glance on his
father; and the old man, with a sheep
ishly-discomfited expression. gruntet
an unintelligible reply and bent ovel
his plate.
He did not raise his head till Gene
had left the room, when. looking up
he leaned back in his chair and saiC
with plaintive sigh:
What a damned fool that boy is!
Rose was up In arms at once.
why, papa. how can you say that
Especially when you see how he's i'm
proved. It's wonderful. He's anothe
man. You can tell in a minute he'
not been drinking, he takes such al
interest In everything and is so full
of work and plans"
"Is her" said her father dryly
Maybe so, but that don't prevent hin
from being a damned fool"
You're unjust to Gene. Why d.
you think he's a fool?"
Just because he happens to be one
You might as well ask me why thinl
the sun rises in the east and sets II
the west. That's what II does, an,
when ! say II does, I'm not criticizin;
or complaining. Pm only. stating tn
plain facts"
Rose, made a murmur Of protest AMI
he went on. =" -
You're queer cattle, syea .women. "a
suppose a Teller could live In tn
world a hundred years and not under
stand you. There's Della Ryan, 70
example, the brainiest woman know
could give most men cards and spade
and beat 'em hands down. Last nigh
at Rocky Bar they were telling M
that she's written to the operator Their
and told him she'll get him a pos
tion here inethe Atlantic and Pacif
. Cable Company. in which she's a larg,
stockhelder. ,that1l double his salar,
and give him a chance he'd neve
have got in this world. She wants I,
pay of mortgage on a ranch Perle,
has in the Sacramento Valley an
she's sent Mrs. Perley check TO
five hundred dollars. She's offere
Willoughby first-rate Job on the Re
Calumet group Of mines near Sonor
in which Con had a controlling intel
est, and she's written to the doctor I
come down and become one of tn
house physicians of the st. Filomen
Hospital, which she practically RUM
She's ready to do al this because Q
what they did for Dominica, and ye
she. his own mother. won't give tn
boy cent and keeps him on starvs