The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1913-04-03
CHAPTER lx.-(continued.)

anu IS 70 get it II lie stays sober "A year.
CHAPTER ix.-(continued.)
At dinner that evening Gene was
very laxative. He told Of his life on
the ranch, OF its methodical monot-
Ony, OF It's secluslon, for he saw little
al his neighbors and seldom went in
10 the town. Rose listened with eager
interest. and the old man with o sulky,
giowerlng attention. At intervals he
shot piercing look at his boy. eying
him sidewise with a cogitating intent.
ness OF observation. His remarks
we're few, but Gene was so loquacious
that there was little opportunity for
another voice TO be heard. He pratt
sled on like happy child. recOunting
me minutest details OF his life after
tlle fashion of those who live much
alone.
In the light Of the crystal lamp that
spread a rulfled 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
iy pale skin resembled his mothers.
but bis face in It's 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,
ana there was sort OF unusual, Latin
picturesqueness In the combination of
his curly black hair. which he wore
rising UP in a 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
pretty girl, and that his soft, affec-
donate character would have been
quite charming in a woman. Now,
listening TO him, it seemed 10 the
older man as If It we're Just the kind
&c talk one might expect from Gene.
The father had difficulty in suppress
ing a snort Of derision when he heard
rhe young man recounting to Rose his
troubles with his Chinese cook.
Before dinner was over Gene ex-
eused himself on the plea that he was
going to the theater.
I'm such hayseed now" he said
as he rose. that don't want to miss
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
SECULAR, anythingll suit me-"
Don't you go over to San Luis?"
groWled his father sulkily. They
have plays there sometimes. l sup
pose"
"Oh, yes, but I'm keeping out OF
harms way. The boys in San Luis
dont understand and I'm not going TO
nut myself in the way of temptation.
Yog know, father, want that ranch"
lie turned laughing glance on his.
'.'hor; and the old man. with a sheep
discounted expression. grun:ed
rriatolligible reply and bent over
ti late.
lie did not raise his head till Gene
had left the room. when, looking up.
ne leaned back in his chair and said
with a plaintiye 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. rs wonderful. He's another
man. You car tell in minute he's
not been drinking. he takes such an
interest in everything and is so full
~ work and plans"
is ke?" said her father dryly.
Maybe so. but that don't prevent him
lrsm being Il damned fool"
You're unjust 90 Gene Why do
you think he's a fool?"
Just bocauee he happens to be one.
Won might as well ask me why ! think
the sun rises in the cast and sets in
the west. That's what il does, aud
when say It does. I'm not criticizing
5r con planning. I'm only stating the
pain facts"
Rose made murmur Of protest and
ne went en-.
You're queer cattle. you women
suppose a feller could live In the
world hundred years and not under
stand you. There's Della Ryan, for
* npIe. the brainiest woman know
could give most men cards and spades
ard beat cn hands down. Last night
~ Rocky Far they were telling me
hat sizes written to the operator there
and told him she'll get him a posi-
lion here In the Atlantic and Pacific
fable Company. in which she's large