Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-02-10
A Certain Rich
Man, Son
How He Worked Out Ills Own
Reform.
By GUY c. BAKER
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co.

Hktftttttktkkt
Il mean just what / said-rm not
ready to go to work.
There were unlimited complacency
and assurance in Killings voice as he
said 1t.
Then what-what do you want to
doY"
II want to run around bit. you
know, and see what's going on in the
world"
"See the world! why, good heavens,
from reports I've had of your college
career there's nothing left for you to
see or dol"
Plenty of time for drudgery and all
that sort Of thing later. dad. | want
to knock about bit like the other fell
lows know"
by thunder, you shall do as you
wish! Pack your gewgaws and go-I
don't give tarnal rap where-but go.
Go and see the world-all of 1t, every
stratum of 1t. I'll pay the freight-ev-
cry penny. But this Is the condition
you've got to stay away five years!
You are not to write home. nor shall
any one from home write to you. You
will draw upon my New York banker
for your needs but that's all,
there Is no need for further discus
sion"
II Young Killing stared with mild sur
prise at the broad shoulders of his ia.
ther for moment; then, the exas-
peratirg look of superciliousness re-
turning. he arose languidly to his feet.
"Aw-er-I say, dad isn't that-er-
just trifle strong?"
The older man did not look around.
mo: not bit of 1t! Scootr'
For moment the mask of insolence
fell away from the young mans face,
and the natural strength of his fea-
lures stood out strikingly.
"All right. sir: you're on. The five
years begin today. Goodby. dad"
AS he swung jauntily down the
street of the prosperous southern town
IA town that had seemed good place
In which to live before his eight years
OF college life-he became suddenly
conscious of feeling of uneasiness as
he thought of the gentle mother who
but few hours before had thrown
her arms about him In a joyous wei
come home Many months passed be-
fore a realization filtered through his
brain OF how inconsiderate was her
establishment.
When a couple of hours later Killing
boarded the train for the north he car
ried with him the disturbing picture
of his mothers disappointment and
solicitude. To him she had ever been
the diplomatic buffer between the acer-
bity OF his father and his own self
wiled follies. But he realized this last
this five years silent absence-was
too much for even her philosophy of
indulgence.
But, whatever Of remorse his pre-
cipitate departure caused him, it was
of short duration.
He went abroad and for a time
reveled in the glitter Of the cafes of
Paris. He idled precious hours In Italy.
He barely escaped duel in Berlin.
Then, after a month of stupid bore
dom In London. he fastened back to
New York.
Thus two years passed.
Not once had he heard from either
his father or mother. Not once had
he written home. Once or twice his
submerged manliness threatened to
break through the veneer Of his pleas
ure seeking existence-some eddy of
memory which brought tleeting rec
objection OF that last glimpse of his
mother-but always would he brush 1t
stubbornly aside and plunge with In
creased abandon sinto the whirlpool OF
folly.
Then one evening, after an excep
tionally strenuous day, he arrived at
the theater during the third act just
as a prima donna Of worldwide fame
was rendering her finest number.
Killing stood at the head of the aisle
for moment, carelessly sweeping the
audience filled theater with his glance;
then, with a scornful shrug, he turned
and strolled down into the smoking
room.
The singer finished, and n tremen-
dous outburst of applause filled the
theater and echoed out into the corri-
doris. Again and again the singer re-
sponded to the encores.
Curiously. Killing wandered back
into the foyer and once more took up
his position at the back Of the theater
and watched the audience. Bowling
and smiling. the prima donna was ap-
preaching the footlights for her fifth
encore. ~
Killing watched with patient an
tipathy. He tidgeted nervously. his
forehead dawn In a scowl and his lips
rurled with unbounded sarcasm.
Then In notes low and tremulous the
singer began the line. Far from the
old folks at home" At the same mo-
ment. with the startling suddenness of
n crash of thunder, the audience was
a e.