The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-05-16
CHAPTER Ix.-(continued.)

CHAPTER ix.-(Continued.)
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 suiky
glowering attention. At intervals he
shot g 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 ruff1ed 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 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 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 a woman. Now,
listening to him, it seemed to the
older man as if it were just the kind
OF talk one might expect from Gene.
The father had difficulty in suppress,
ing snort Of derision when he heard
the young man recounting to Rose his
troubles with his Chinese cook.
Before dinner was over Gene ex-
cused himself on the plea that he was
going to the theater
IL GuSh q nay StSu hON, TIC Sdlu
as he rose, that 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?'
growled his father sulkily. They
have plays there sometimes, 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 to
put myself in the way Of temptation
You know, father, l want that ranch.
He turned a laughing glance on his
father: and the old man, with a sheep
ishly-discomfited expression. grunted
an unintelligible reply and bent over
his plate.
He did not raise his head till Gene
had left the room, when, looking up
he leaned back in his chair and said
with a plaintive sigh:
What a damned fool that boy isl
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 another
man. You can tell in a minute he's
not been drinking, he takes such ar
interest in everything and is so full
Of work and plans"
rs he?" said her father dryly
Maybe so, but that don't prevent him
from being a damned fool"
You're unjust to Gene Why de
you think he's fool?"
Just because he happens to be one
You might as we'll ask me why | think
the sun rises in the east and sets in
the west. That's what ii does, and
when l say it does, I'm not criticizins
or complaining, I'm only stating the
plain facts"
Rose made murmur of protest anC
he went on.
You're queer cattle, you women.
suppose a Teller could live in the
world a hundred years and not under
stand you. There's Della Ryan. fol-
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 there
and told him she'll get him posi-
ton here in the Atlantic and Pacific
Cable Company. in which she's large
stakeholder, that1l double his SALARY
and give him a chance he'd never
have got in this world. She wants t.
pay off mortgage on ranch Perley
has in the Sacramento Valley ant
she's sent Mrs. Perley a check fol
five hundred dollars. Shes offered
Willoughby a first-rate job on the Rel
Calumet group of mines near Sonor;
in which Con had controlling inter
est, and she's written to the doctor tt
come down and become one Of tn.
house physicians of the ST. Filomen;
Hospitai, which she practically runs
Shes ready to do all this because O
what they did for Dominick, and We
she, his own mother, won't give tn,
Soy cent aud keeps him on starva