The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-07-03
CHAPTER |
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The Reaching Of a Decision.

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The Reaching of Decision.
For the second time that night
Frederick Cavendish, sitting at small
table in a busy cafe where the night
life of the city streamed continually
I'm and out regarded the telegram
spread out upon the white napery. 1t
read:
"Bear Greek, Colorado. 4-2-5.
frederick Cavendish. College Club,
New York City.
Found big lead; lost 1t again. Need
you badly. Westcott."
For the second time that night, too,
a picture rose before him, picture OF
great plains, towering mountains, and
open spaces that spoke Of the freedom
and health of outdoor living. He had
known that life once before. when he
and Jim Westcott had prospected and
hit the trail together, and its appeal
to him now after three years of shall
low sightseeing in the city WIS deeper
than ever.
Good old jim" he murmured.
"struck pay-dirt at last only t" lose 1t
and he needs me. BY George, l think
I'll 60"
And why should he not? Only
Twenty-Five, he could still AFFORD to
spend a few years in search OF living.
His fortune left him at the death of
his father was safely invested. and
he had no close friends in the city and
no relatives, except cousin. John
Cayendish, for whom he held no love,
and little regard.
He had almost determined upon go
ing to Bear Creek to meet Westcott,
and was calling for his check when
his attention was arrested by noisy
party of four that bOisterously took
seats at a nearby table. Cavendish
recognized the two women as members
of the chorus of the prevailing Revue,
one of them Celeste La Rue. an ag-
rressive blonde with thin lips and
metallic voice, whose name was syn
onymous with midnight escapad!es
and flowing wine. His contemptuous
smile at the sight Of them deepened
INTO uISSuStcu SilCCl NiiNh ii~ 49,
that one of the men was John Cayen-
dish, his cousin.
The two mems eyes met. and the
younger. slight, mld,eyed youth with
I;stless chin. excused himself ana
presented himself at the elders table.
"Won't YOU join us?" he said ner-
vously.
Frederick Cayendish's trim, bearded
law frightened and he shook his head.
.1They are not my people ne saic
shortly. then retreating, begged, JOhn,
when are you going to cut that sort
out?'
lyon make me weary" the boy
snapped. Its easy enough for you
TO talk when you've got all the money
that gives you an excuse to read me
moral homilies every time ! ask you
for a dollar, but Miss La Rue is as
good as any one of your friends any
day"
The other controlled himself.
~What is it you want?" he demanded
directly. Money? If so. how much!
"A hundred will do" the younger
man said eagerly. II lost little on
cards lately, and have to borrow. 10
night | met the girl
Frederick Cavendish silenced MIN
and rendered him the bills. Now
no said gravely. "this is the last. un-
less YOU cut out such people as Celeste
In Rue and others that you train WITH
I'm tired of paying bills for your inane
extravaganza and parties. ! can cur.
tail your income ami what's more
vii, unless you change.
For a moment the dissipafed youth
surveyed his cousin, then an angry
aush mounted into his pasty race.
.you-vou-" he suffered. YOU
go to hell" ~.
without another word the e'dei
rorond,sh summoned the waiter, PAID
rio hill. and walked toward the door
I,hn started after him, smile or deri
sion IN his face. He Lad heard CaVen
dish threaten before.
when Frederick Cavendish reached
40 streer and the fresh night MI
racad through his lungs he came 10
sudden realization and then resoiu
t,on The realization was that since
rurther pleading would avail nothing
.,.,,h John Cayenilsh, he needed les