The Bozeman courier., 1927-07-08

day wear. Gabrielli was poet, a paint
er, sculptor, singer, and sometimes he
wrote books. There were moments, also,
when he was an architect, and he had
been on the stage. Likewise, he was a
WOuld-be lover, and at the present mo-
ment his numerous talents were concen-
trated in the holy ferVor Of trying to
persuade Alison Morrow that she ought
to marry him. Considering that his age
was only twenty-five, MIR. Gabrielli had
achieved a great deal. He possessed a
rather attractive faunlike personality
which would have been even more pleas
ing had he been less passionately enam-
ored Of his own gifts.
Prof. Blount had long ago wearied Of
this unique find" this treasure Of mani
fold genius which had attached itself to
him in a Heidelberg boarding house, but
there was no getting rid of Victor Ga
brield now. He constituted himself the
life Of the party and they suffered him
much as one suffers mischievouS puppy.
sometimes with affection, and sometimes,
it must be confessed, with considerable
annoyonce.
These five people sat on the hotel
Veranda after dinner on the day of their
arrival at Fort Myers and discussed their
prospective host, specializing upon the
manner Of his life of which so much was
rumored and so little actually known
The tales Of returning travellers differed
/ BACdbAJs 0OAdhCI hospitality Was AAOl
| always rewarded by gratitude. Some
people bore away with them the impress
sion that he was a dour, Surly individual
Iuncouth and bad hammered, and thai
impression was broadcast as well as those
of more kindly nature.
However, there were other tales about
him less disconcerting and Prof. Blounti
party had been specially invited-all bu
Victor Gabrieli and Alison. They came
in as secretaries, which in Alison's cas'
was authentic Gabrielli, however, haS
proved too talented to sit under Prof
Blount, although shorthand and type
writing also were included in his roper
tory. He was now engaged in author
ship on his own, spirited challenge Il
most Of Prof. Blount's pet theories OF
the origin Of man.
"I wonder" said Alison, who had
delicately ironic sense of humor, "ho1
! long it will take you to get the hang o
glass blowing"
: Gabrielli knew she was making fun Q
him, but the buffoon in his nature ad
mitted that almost anybody had righ
to laugh at his antics.
He threw her a doglike look, loo
which said: But I thought that yo
would keep out of the chorusl''
Alison didn't want to hurt Victor Ga
brielli. Indeed, there were times whe
she quite liked him. He was a good
looking boy, fair-haired and bIue-eyeC
: Iplease-but, oh, his conceitl
Let's go and have a look at our boat
she said, holding out her hand as friend
ly as though, indeed, he were an il
repressible Bonzo.
Miles Straker had sent his own launc
= to take them down the coast to Bit
u River and it was now moored at tk
crazy little landing stage below the ga.
dens Of the hotel.
Roderick Blair, In the shadows, drew
his pipe and watched the progress Of Il
young couple. Blair was a silent ma
e Most Of what he had to say went in
G his books.
Certain people get set apart in the col
sciOusness Of their friends by some on
N standing characteristic which entitl
them to that distinction. Roderick Bis
tset Alison apart from the average
- humanity for peculiar mysticism
rs temperament she possessed. He b
known her since she was quite a smi
child and always it had seemed to hi
- that her eyes were crystals in which o
ie, ought to be able to read not only t
or future but the past. She was the daug
y. Ter Of a friend Of his who had died, a.
Blair was her guardian IS well as her el
iployer. He loved her almost as thou