The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-01-03
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"Td like to paint you that way.
Christie"
washing dishes? Well, I'd
rather have my portrait in the Le-
gion Of Honor, some other way"
"Oh, don't mean that. The
way you were looking. Sort Of ex-
allied, like Joan of Arc, or some Of
the saints, with the gold Of your
hair all shimmering and the little
shadows of the leaves Ticking
across it"
CHAPTER "
'You say sweet things, Gene.
Sometimes I think you ought to
be poet, though, Of course, your
painting"
Eyes, the painting" he inter.
rupted bitterly. His dark eyes
narrowed, his whole face darken-
ed. THE painting and the poetry
very grand to talk about. But
all I'll ever be is q dairy-hand, un-
less I can get another Job in a
gas station sometime. What did
you have to bring that up for?
We came here to get away from all
that!"
Surely this was the time to speak
about the mine and the ranch.
Her eyes, that were like deep gray.
green water with the sun shining
through 1t, were bright with love
and tenderness.
She could see the home they'd
have. A ranch-houSe, broad-varan.
da-ed like the Cooper place, but
smaller, more ruStic-more the
way it used to be before Aunt
Nettie came. She could see Gene
coming up the path to dinner, not
grumpily, the way Ellie Platt's
husband did, but laughing, and
eager. She could almost see the
wedding ring on her finger, al
most hear him say, And how'S
the baby?"
There would be q baby, Of
course. A boy. The first one
should be a boy, though Dad
would sort of like his first grand
child to be named after him, and
AdolphuS is such a joke name.
Maybe girl would be better.
She smiled at Gene, half apollo
getically, because she was so far
ahead Of him in her thoughts.
Gene. I know how you've felt
about things, but it won't be that
way any more. I'm going to ask
Dad to buy some ranch land for
us, and you can paint in the
evenings and-and lots Of times
and Gene! don't mean a dairy,
darling! I mean "a ranch!
You know, with vegetables and
turkeys. Don't you like turkeys?
And we might raise horses, and
some special stock, but if you'd
rather prospect"
do you mind letting me know
what you're talking about?"
Dad will do it, Gene!. Oh!
Do you mean he couldn't afford it
this year? He does talk about
losing money, but still he always
has lots. I really think"
Gene kicked long leg that was
falling from the dying fire. He
turned back and faced her.
when you stick to your old mans
dough you know what you're talk.
ing about. That old man Of yours
took PLENTY out Of the Klondike,
and he does more than he lets
on. now. He's In with some Of
those big bankers in San Fran
cisco, and he's in a whole lot Of
things he keeps his name out Of
not that give o rap about that.
AL rich men are kind Of shady
in their dealings"
"Gene!"
ooh, I don't mean anything,
Christie. You know how people
talk about him. He's o. K, I
guess"
20. K! He's wonderful He's
the kindest, grandest-"
Sure he's all right, honey. II
like him, myself. But-now don't
interrupt. I know how you feel
about him. I said he was all
right, didn't I? But you've got to
promise me on your word Of honor
that you'll never let him know
there's anything between us, and
as for asking him to do anything
for me-"
ITO BE COntinued)