The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-01-29
PAGE FIFTEEN

tian was the man whom Peter Ausland had
been bitterly bent upon proving TO be the
partner Of his wife's supposed guilt,
It was a strange situation as the three
came together along the terrace, one Gre
ated by Peter McAusland's sudden right
about face in deciding to acknowledge his
son. The situation was hardly a credit 70
his good taste. But then, Mahan reflected,
one did not become the McAusland Tire
company, the COsmic Oil, and the Green
Star lines by dint Of good taste. 1t took
something ruthless to force the world TO
deliver up so much Of its guarded values.
The host stopped, with much glitter OF
eyeglasses and smiling teeth.
mr.. Mahan, 1 believe you have not yet
met my On-an Father Sebastian"
The cleric bowed gravely. Hugh thrust
out an impulsive hand.
Say, you are from the west, aren't you,
Mr.. Mahan?"
my sen has spent some years in-Ore-
gOn, wasn't it," his father explained.
In his slim, slightly Italian fashion
Hugh probably resembled his mother. Just
then his good looks were clOuded over as
If he had really no desire to be there in
this situation Of his fathers continuing.
McAusland was vOluble, almost noisy, with
much show Of paternal affection. OF the
three, it was the Father vino most kept his
dignity at that moment.
Smiling hugely, McAusland turned his
glittering eyeglasses on the group.
"A doctor, a lawyer, and a priest" he
crOwed. Usually that combination is the
last in a mans life"
He laughed at his own joke. Like most
small men, he seemed to make up in ego
ism for his lack of inches. He went relent-
leSsly on, pursuing his pleasantly with q
hand on his sons shoulder.
And when you add an heir-really, all
1t needs is an undertaken; eh, Hughl l
trust that that is not Mr.. Mahan's role"
Hugh made a dutiful attempt at laugh
ter; flatly, and he flushed at the sound
Of it. With loud good humOr McAus-
land clapped him again upon the
But at your age you can afford to give
the old man a few years more, nay boy
fifteen to twenty of them, DR.. HObyn said
this morning. You viii pardon us, gentle
t men we have things to see to for to-
morrow"
d Linking arms, he bore his son away. and
r with his departure there seemed somehow
a more air to breathe. The man undoubtedly
b had power of a sort; it stood out about
him like an aggressive mist. The group on
T the terrace drifted apart, and It was
e Father Sebastian who fell to Mahan's
share.
n They strolIed down through the gardens.
then across the shaver meadows to the
= lake. The light lay in golden bars be-
d tween the trees. the autumn haze was as
l. a bloom upon the land.
10 "a wonderful place, this Father Sebas-
e tian was saying. Though, Of course, to
f yourself. after the vast spaces of your
If own marvellous west-'
If That he was genuinely a somebody was
~ proven by his instantaneous eastern habit
of placing all weSterners MS a race apart
" lie had the physical dignities OF an old
school tragedian. They matched well with
the slight flamboyance Of his self-bestowcC
IL clerical title
II can see how the place must seen
to you after the east side Mahan re
turned.
n It'll east side
Nathan had chosen the right word. Will
IL another atmosphere descended on thu
Father. one of a wilderness of people pen
II mp i'm a Gathering place.
Copyright. 1925, by Charles SaNby).
X ITO be Concluded Next Week..