w00040.html

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<title>Flowing Gold</title>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<meta name="Author" content="">
<meta name="Keywords" content="ebook ebooks etext etexts">
<meta name="Description" content="free ebooks">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/stylesheet1.css" type="text/css">
</head>
<body>

<table align="center" border ="1" width="80%">
  <tr>
    <td align="center"><img src="/pga-australia.jpg" width="94" height="84" alt=""></td>
    <td align="center" bgcolor="#FFE4E1"><font color="#800000" size="5"><b><a href="http://gutenberg.net.au" target="_blank">Project 
      Gutenberg Australia</a><br>
      </b></font><font color="#800000" size="4"><i>a treasure-trove of literature</i><br>
      </font>treasure found hidden with no evidence of ownership</td>
  </tr>
</table>

<!-- ad goes here -->



<p align="center">&nbsp;</p>



<h1>Flowing Gold</h1>

<h4>by</h4>

<h1>Rex Beach</h1>

<hr align="center" width="50%">
<ul>
<li><a href="#1_0_2">CHAPTER I</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_3">CHAPTER II</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_4">CHAPTER III</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_5">CHAPTER IV</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_6">CHAPTER V</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_7">CHAPTER VI</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_8">CHAPTER VII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_9">CHAPTER VIII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_10">CHAPTER IX</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_11">CHAPTER X</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_12">CHAPTER XI</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_13">CHAPTER XII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_14">CHAPTER XIII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_15">CHAPTER XIV</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_16">CHAPTER XV</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_17">CHAPTER XVI</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_18">CHAPTER XVII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_19">CHAPTER XVIII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_20">CHAPTER XIX</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_21">CHAPTER XX</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_22">CHAPTER XXI</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_23">CHAPTER XXII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_24">CHAPTER XXIII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_25">CHAPTER XXIV</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_26">CHAPTER XXV</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_27">CHAPTER XXVI</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_28">CHAPTER XXVII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_29">CHAPTER XXVIII</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_30">CHAPTER XXIX</a></li>

<li><a href="#1_0_31">CHAPTER XXX</a></li>
</ul>

<p>TO THE ONE WHOSE FAITH, ENTHUSIASM, AND DEVOTION CONSTITUTE A
NEVER-FAILING SOURCE OF INSPIRATION, MY WIFE, SWEETHEART, AND
PARTNER.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_2">CHAPTER I</a></h3>

<p>Room service at the Ajax is of a quality befitting the newest, the
largest, and the most expensive hotel in Dallas. While the standard of
excellence is uniformly high, nevertheless some extra care usually
attaches to a breakfast ordered from the Governor's suite&mdash;most
elegant and most expensive of all the suites&mdash;hence the waiter
checked over his card and made a final, fluttering examination to be sure
that the chilled fruit was chilled and that the hot plates were hot
before he rapped on the door. A voice, loud and cheery, bade him
enter.</p>

<p>Would the gentleman wish his breakfast served in the parlor or
&mdash;No, the gentleman would have it right in his bedroom; but first,
where were his cigarettes? He hoped above all things that the waiter had
not forgotten his cigarettes. Some people began their days with cold
showers&mdash;nothing less than a cruel shock to a languid nervous
system. An atrocious practice, the speaker called it&mdash;a relic of
barbarism&mdash;a fetish of ignorance. Much preferable was a hygienic,
stimulating cigarette which served the same purpose and left no
deleterious aftereffects.</p>

<p>The pajama-clad guest struck a light, inhaled with abundant
satisfaction, and then cast a hungry eye over the contents of the
rubber-tired breakfast table. He, too, tested the temperature of the
melon and felt the cover of the toast plate.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Splendid!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;Nice rooms, prompt service, a
pleasant-faced waiter. Why, I couldn't fare better in my best club.
Thanks to you, my first impression of Dallas is wholly delightful.&rdquo;
He seated himself in a padded boudoir chair, unfolded a snowy serviette
and attacked his breakfast with the enthusiasm of a perfectly healthy
animal.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is this your first visit here, sir?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Absolutely. Dallas is as foreign to me as Lhasa. It is the
Baghdad of my dreams and its streets are strange. Perhaps they are full
of adventure for me. I hope so. Anything exciting can happen in a town
where one has neither friends nor acquaintances, eh? You are a well-read
man, I take it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I? Why&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;At any rate, you have heard it said that this is a small
world.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good! I merely wish to deny authorship of the saying, for it is
false. This is a large world. What is more, it is a world full of cities
like Dallas where men like you and me, Heaven be praised, have neither
friends, acquaintances, nor relatives. In that respect, it is a fine
world and we should devoutly give thanks for its Dallases and
its&mdash;Dalsatians. Jove! This ham is delicious!&rdquo;</p>

<p>The waiter was accustomed to &ldquo;morning talkers,&rdquo; but this
gentleman was different. He had an air of consequence, and his voice, so
deep, so well modulated, so pleasant, invested him with unusual
distinction. Probably he was an actor! But no! Not in the Governor's
suite. More likely he was one of the big men of the Standard, or the
Gulf, or the Texas. To make sure, the waiter inquired:</p>

<p>&ldquo;May I ask if you are in oil, sir?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;In oil? Bless me, what a nauseating question&mdash;at this hour
of the day!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;'Most everybody here is in oil. We turn dozens away every day,
we're that full. It's the boom. I'm in oil myself&mdash;in a small way,
of course. It's like this: sometimes gentlemen like&mdash;well, like you,
sir&mdash;give me tips. They drop a hint, like, about their stocks, and
I've done well&mdash;in a small way, of course. It doesn't cost them
anything and&mdash;some of them are very kind. You'd really be
surprised.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, not at all.&rdquo; The occupant of the Governor's suite
leaned back in his chair and smiled widely. &ldquo;As a matter of fact, I
am flattered, for it is evident that you are endowed with the money-
making instinct and that you unerringly recognize it in others. Very
well, I shall see what I can do for you. But while we are on the subject
of tips, would you mind helping yourself to a dollar out of my trousers
pocket?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The waiter proceeded to do as directed, but a moment later announced,
apologetically: &ldquo;Here's all I find, sir. It's mostly
pennies.&rdquo; He exposed a handful of small coins.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Look in my coat, if you will.&rdquo;</p>

<p>But the second search resulted as had the first.
&ldquo;Strange!&rdquo; murmured the guest, without rising. &ldquo;I must
have been robbed. I remember now, a fellow crowded me as I left my train.
Um&mdash;m! Robbed&mdash;at the very gates of Baghdad! Dallas <i>is</i> a
City of Adventure. Please add your tip to the check, and&mdash;make it
two dollars. I'd like to have you serve me every morning, for I cannot
abide an acid face at breakfast. It sours my whole day.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Calvin Gray finished his breakfast, smoked a second cigarette as he
scanned the morning paper, then he dressed himself with meticulous care.
He possessed a tall, erect, athletic form, his perfectly fitting clothes
had that touch of individuality affected by a certain few of New York's
exclusive tailors, and when he finally surveyed himself in the glass,
there was no denying the fact that he presented an appearance of unusual
distinction. As he turned away, his eyes fell upon the scanty handful of
small coins which the waiter had removed from his pocket and for a moment
he stared at them reflectively, then he scooped them into his palm and,
with a smile, announced to his image:</p>

<p>&ldquo;It would seem that it is time for us to introduce ourselves to
the management.&rdquo;</p>

<p>He was humming a tune as he strode out of his richly furnished
quarters.</p>

<p>The Governor's suite at the Ajax is on the mezzanine floor, at the
head of the grand staircase. As Gray descended the spacious marble steps,
he saw that the hotel was indeed doing a big business, for already the
lobby was thickly peopled and at the desk a group of new arrivals were
plaintively arguing with a bored and supercilious room clerk.</p>

<p>Some men possess an effortless knack of commanding attention and
inspiring courtesy. Calvin Gray was one of these. Before many moments, he
was in the manager's office, explaining, suavely, &ldquo;Now that I have
introduced myself, I wish to thank you for taking care of me upon such
short notice.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It was the only space we had. If you wish, I'll have your rooms
changed as soon as&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Have you something better?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Haviland, the manager, laughed and shook his head. &ldquo;Scarcely!
That suite is our pet and our pride. There's nothing to beat it in the
whole Southwest.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is very nice. May I inquire the rate?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Twenty-five dollars a day.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quite reasonable.&rdquo; Mr. Gray beamed his satisfaction.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is the only suite we have left. We've put beds in the
parlors of the others, and frequently we have to double up our guests.
This oil excitement is a blessing to us poor innkeepers. I presume it's
oil that brings you here?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray met the speaker's interrogatory gaze with a negative shake of the
head and a smile peculiarly noncommittal. &ldquo;No,&rdquo; he declared.
&ldquo;I'm not in the oil business and I have no money to invest in it. I
don't even represent a syndicate of Eastern capitalists. On the contrary,
I am a penniless adventurer whom chance alone has cast upon your
hospitable grand staircase.&rdquo; These words were spoken with a
suggestion of mock modesty that had precisely the effect of a deliberate
wink, and Mr. Haviland smiled and nodded his complete comprehension.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I get you,&rdquo; said he. &ldquo;And you're right. The lease
hounds would devil you to death if you gave them a chance. Now then, if
there's any way in which I can be of service&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There is.&rdquo; Gray's tone was at once businesslike.
&ldquo;Please give me the names of your leading bankers. I mean the
strongest and the most&mdash;well, discreet.&rdquo;</p>

<p>During the next few minutes Gray received and swiftly tabulated in his
mind a deal of inside information usually denied to the average stranger;
the impression his swift, searching questions made upon the hotel manager
was evident when the latter told him as he rose to go:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't feel that you have to identify yourself at the banks to-
day. If we can accommodate you&mdash;cash a check or the
like&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Thank you.&rdquo; The caller shook his head and smiled his
appreciation of the offer. &ldquo;Your manner of conducting a hotel
impresses me deeply, and I shall speak of it to some of my Eastern
friends. Live executives are hard to find.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It is impossible to analyze or to describe that quality of magnetic
charm which we commonly term personality, nevertheless it is the most
potent influence in our social and our business lives. It is a gift of
the gods, and most conspicuous successes, in whatever line, are due to
it. Now and then comes an individual who is cold, even repellent, and yet
who rises to full accomplishment by reason of pure intellectual force or
strength of character; but nine times out of ten the man who gets ahead,
be he merchant, banker, promoter, or crook, does so by reason of this
abstract asset, this intangible birthright.</p>

<p>Gray possessed that happy quality. It had made itself felt by the
waiter who brought his breakfast and by the manager of the hotel; its
effect was equally noticeable upon the girl behind the cigar counter,
where he next went. An intimate word or two and she was in a flutter. She
sidetracked her chewing gum, completely ignored her other customers, and
helped him select a handful of her choicest sixty-cent Havanas. When he
finally decided to have her send the rest of the box of fifty up to his
room and signed for them, she considered the transaction a tribute to her
beauty rather than to her ability as a saleswoman. Her admiring eyes
followed him clear across the lobby.</p>

<p>Even the blase bell-captain, by virtue of his calling a person of few
enthusiasms and no illusions, edged up to the desk and inquired the name
of the distinguished stranger &ldquo;from the No'th.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray appeared to know exactly what he wanted to do, for he stopped at
the telephone booths, inquired the number of the leading afternoon
newspaper, and put in a call for it. When it came through he asked for
the city editor. He closed the sound-proof door before voicing his
message, then he began, rapidly:</p>

<p>&ldquo;City editor? Well, I'm from the Ajax Hotel, and I have a tip
for you. I'm one of the room clerks. Listen! Calvin Gray is registered
here&mdash;got in last night, on gum shoes.... Gray! <i>Calvin Gray</i>!
Better shoot a reporter around and get a story.... You <i>don't</i>?
Well, other people know him. He's a character&mdash;globe trotter,
soldier of fortune, financier. He's been everywhere and done everything,
and you can get a great story if you've got a man clever enough to make
him talk. But he won't loosen easily.... Oil, I suppose, but&mdash;...
Sure! Under cover. Mystery stuff! Another big syndicate probably.... Oh,
that's all right. I'm an old newspaper man myself. Don't mention
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>All American cities, these days, are much the same. Character,
atmosphere, distinctiveness, have been squeezed out in the general mold.
For all Calvin Gray could see, as he made his first acquaintance with
Dallas, he might have been treading the streets of Los Angeles, of
Indianapolis, of Portland, Maine, or of Portland, Oregon. A California
brightness and a Florida warmth to the air, a New England alertness to
the pedestrians, a Manhattan majesty to some of the newer office
buildings, these were the most outstanding of his first impressions.</p>

<p>Into the largest and the newest of these buildings Gray went, a white
tile and stone skyscraper, the entire lower floor of which was devoted to
an impressive banking room. He sent his card in to the president, and
spent perhaps ten minutes with that gentleman. He had called merely to
get acquainted, so he explained; he wished to meet only the heads of the
strongest financial institutions; he had no favors to ask&mdash;as yet,
and he might have no business whatever with them. On the other
hand&mdash;well, he was a slow and careful investigator, but when he
moved, it was with promptitude and vigor, and in such an event he wished
them to know who he was. Meanwhile, he desired no publicity, and he hoped
his presence in Dallas would not become generally known&mdash;it might
seriously interfere with his plans.</p>

<p>Before he left the bank Gray had met the other officers, and from
their manner he saw that he had created a decided impression upon them.
The bank president himself walked with him to the marble railing, then
said:</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd like to have you wait and meet my son, Lieutenant Roswell.
He's just back from overseas, and&mdash;the boy served with some
distinction. A father's pride, you understand?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Was Lieutenant Roswell in France?&rdquo; Gray inquired,
quickly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh yes. He'll be in at any minute.&rdquo;</p>

<p>A shadow of regret crossed the caller's face. &ldquo;I'm sorry, but
I've arranged to call on the mayor, and I've no time to lose. What unit
was your son with?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The Ninety-eighth Field Artillery.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The shadow fled. Mr. Gray was vexed at the necessity for haste, but he
would look forward to meeting the young hero later.</p>

<p>&ldquo;And meanwhile,&rdquo; Roswell, senior, said, warmly, &ldquo;if
we can be of service to you, please feel free to call upon us. I dare say
we'd be safe in honoring a small check.&rdquo; He laughed pleasantly and
clapped his caller on the back.</p>

<p>A fine man, Gray decided as he paused outside the bank. And here was
another offer to cash a check&mdash;the second this morning. Good address
and an expensive tailor certainly did count: with them as capital, a man
could take a profit at any time. Gray's fingers strayed to the small
change in his trousers pocket and he turned longing eyes back toward the
bank interior. Without doubt it was a temptation, especially inasmuch as
at that moment his well- manicured right hand held in its grasp every
cent that he possessed.</p>

<p>This was not the first time he had been broke. On the contrary, during
his younger days he had more than once found himself in that condition
and had looked upon it as an exciting experience, as a not unpleasant
form of adventure. To be strapped in a mining camp, for instance, was no
more than a mild embarrassment. But to find oneself thirty-eight years
old, friendless and without funds in a city the size of
Dallas&mdash;well, that was more than an adventure, and it afforded a
sort of excitement that he believed he could very well do without. Dallas
was no open-handed frontier town; it was a small New York, where life is
settled, where men are suspicious, and where fortunes are slow in the
making. He wondered now if hard, fast living had robbed him of the punch
to make a new beginning; he wondered, too, if the vague plans at the back
of his mind had anything to them or if they were entirely impracticable.
Here was opportunity, definite, concrete, and spelled with a capital O,
here was a deliberate invitation to avail himself of a short cut out of
his embarrassment. A mere scratch of a pen and he would have money enough
to move on to some other Dallas, and there gain the start he
needed&mdash;enough, at least, so that he could tip his waiter and pay
cash for his Coronas. Business men are too gullible, any how; it would be
a good lesson to Roswell and Haviland. Why not&mdash;?</p>

<p>Calvin Gray started, he recoiled slightly, the abstracted stare was
wiped from his face, for an officer in uniform had brushed past him and
entered the bank. That damned khaki again! Those service stripes! They
were forever obtruding themselves, it seemed. Was there no place where
one could escape the hateful sight of them? His chain of thought had been
snapped, and he realized that there could be no short cut for him. He had
climbed through the ropes, taken his corner, and the gong had rung; it
was now a fight to a finish, with no quarter given. He squared his
shoulders and set out for the hotel, where he felt sure he would find a
reporter awaiting him.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_3">CHAPTER II</a></h3>

<p>The representative of the Dallas <i>Post</i> had anticipated some
difficulty in interviewing the elusive Calvin Gray&mdash;whoever he might
be&mdash;but luck appeared to be with him, for shortly after his arrival
at the hotel the object of his quest appeared. Mr. Gray was annoyed at
being discovered; he was, in fact, loath to acknowledge his identity.
Having just returned from an important conference with some of the
leading financiers of the city, his mind was burdened with affairs of
weight, and then, too, the mayor was expecting him&mdash;luncheon
probably&mdash;hence he was in no mood to be interviewed. Usually Mr.
Gray's secretary saw interviewers. However, now that his identity was
known, he had not the heart to be discourteous to a fellow journalist.
Yes! He had once owned a newspaper&mdash;in Alaska. Incidentally, it was
the farthest-north publication in the world.</p>

<p>Alaska! The reporter pricked up his ears. He managed to elicit the
fact that Mr. Gray had operated mines and built railroads there; that he
had been forced into the newspaper game merely to protect his interests
from the depredations of a gang of political grafters, and that it had
been a sensational fight while it lasted. This item was duly jotted down
in the reportorial memory.</p>

<p>Alaska was a hard country, quite so, but nothing like Mexico during
the revolution. Mexican sugar and mahogany, it transpired, had occupied
Mr. Gray's attention for a time, as had Argentine cattle, Yucatan
hennequin, and an engineering enterprise in Bolivia, not to mention other
investments closer to home.</p>

<p>Once the speaker had become reconciled to the distasteful necessity of
talking about himself, he suggested an adjournment to his rooms, where he
would perhaps suffer less embarrassment by reason of his unavoidable use
of the personal pronoun.</p>

<p>Gray noted the effect upon his visitor of the Governor's suite and
soon had the young man at ease, with a Corona between his teeth. Then
followed a full three-quarters of an hour, during which the visitor
discoursed in his very best style and his caller sat spellbound, making
occasional hieroglyphic hen tracks upon his note paper and congratulating
himself upon his good luck in striking a man like this in one of his
rare, talkative moods. Gray had set himself deliberately to the task of
selling himself to this gentleman of the press, and, having succeeded, he
was enough of a salesman to avoid the fatal error of overselling.</p>

<p>Alone at last, a sardonic grin crept over his features. So far, so
good. Now for the rest of those bankers and the mayor. Gray was working
rapidly, but he knew no other way of working, and speed was essential. It
seemed to him not unlikely that delay of the slightest might force him to
turn in desperation to a length of lead pipe and a mask, for&mdash;a man
must live. As yet he had no very definite plans, he had merely undertaken
to establish himself in a position to profit by the first opportunity,
whatever it might be. And opportunity of some sort would surely come. It
always did. What is more, it had an agreeable way of turning up just when
he was most in need of it.</p>

<p>Gray called at several other banks that morning. He strode in swiftly,
introduced himself with quick incisiveness, and tarried only long enough
to fix himself indelibly in the minds of those he had come to see, then
he left. There are right and wrong ways of closing a deal or of ending an
interview, and Gray flattered himself that he possessed &ldquo;terminal
facilities.&rdquo; He was very busy, always a bit pressed for time,
always a moment late; his theory of constant forward motion never
permitted an awkward pause in conversation. On the street, his long legs
covered the ground at something less than a run, his eyes were keenly
alert, his face set in purposeful lines. Pedestrians turned to look after
him.</p>

<p>At the mayor's office he was denied admission to the chief executive,
but insisted so peremptorily as to gain his end. Once inside, he conveyed
his compliments with such a graceful flourish that his intrusion assumed
the importance of a ceremony and the People's Choice was flattered. He
inferred that this Calvin Gray made a practice of presenting his formal
respects to the dignitaries of all the large cities he visited and deemed
it a favor to them. No doubt it was, if he so considered it, for he
appeared to be fully aware of his own importance. After all, it was an
agreeable practice. Since no man in public life can risk offending people
of importance, His Honor unbent. Gray turned a current jest upon Texas
politics into a neat compliment to the city's executive; they laughed;
formality vanished; personal magnetism made itself felt. The call ended
by the two men lunching together at the City Club, as Gray had assumed it
would, and he took pains that the bankers upon whom he had called earlier
in the morning should see him in company with the mayor.</p>

<p>He returned to his hotel that afternoon pretty well satisfied with his
efforts and hopeful that some of the seed he had sown broadcast would be
ripe for the reaping ere-long. But he received an electric shock as he
approached the desk, for the bell captain addressed him, saying:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mr. Haviland wishes to see you at once, in his
office.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed? Anything important?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Very important, sir. I've been waiting for you to come
in.&rdquo; There was something ominous about this unexpected summons, or
perhaps about the manner of its delivery. At any rate, suspicion leaped
into Gray's mind.</p>

<p>So! Haviland was wise! Quick work that. Evidently he had investigated,
through those mysterious sources of information available to great
hotels. Or perhaps some one had seen and recognized him. Well, that was
the way his luck had run, lately &mdash;every break against him.</p>

<p>Now&mdash;Gray's shoulders lifted in a shrug of
resignation&mdash;there was nothing to do except wave aside the blindfold
and face the firing squad like an officer and a gentleman. But it was a
pity that the crash had come so soon; fortune might have given him at
least a short interval of grace. Haviland was probably in a cold rage at
the discovery of the fraud, and Gray could only hope that he wouldn't get
noisy over it, for scenes were always annoying and sometimes they ran to
unfortunate lengths.</p>

<p>There was a curious brightness to the imposter's eyes, a reckless,
mocking smile upon his lips, when he stepped into the manager's office
and stood beside the desk. He declined Haviland's invitation to be
seated&mdash;it seemed more fitting that a man should take sentence on
his feet.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Have you seen the Post?&rdquo; the manager inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;No.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Haviland handed him a copy of the leading afternoon paper, and Gray's
eyes flashed to the headline of an article reading:</p>

<p>CALVIN GRAY, HERO OF SENSATIONAL EXPLOITS, IN DALLAS ADVENTURES READ
LIKE PAGE OF ROMANCE FAMOUS FINANCIER ADMITS LARGE OIL INTERESTS BEHIND
HIM</p>

<p>From the opening paragraph Gray judged that he had impressed the
reporter even more deeply than he had supposed, but he took no
satisfaction there from, for Haviland was saying:</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've read the whole story, but I want you to tell me something
more about yourself.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you wish to know?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Were you in France?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Over the visitor's face there came a subtle change. Whereas, upon
entering, he had worn an expression of careless defiance, now he appeared
to harden in every fiber and to go on guard.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have been many times in France.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I mean during the war. Did you serve?&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a pause. &ldquo;I did.&rdquo; Gray's eyes remained fixed
upon his interrogator, but they had begun to smolder.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then you're Colonel Gray. Colonel Calvin Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quite so.&rdquo; The speaker's voice was harsh, and it came
with an effort. &ldquo;But you didn't read <i>that</i> in the
<i>Post</i>. Come! What's the idea? Out with it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The interview had taken an unexpectedly disagreeable turn. Gray had
anticipated an unpleasant moment or two, but this&mdash;well, it was
indeed the crash. Calamity had overtaken him from the very quarter he had
least expected and most dreaded, and his mind raced off at a tangent; a
dozen unwelcome queries presented themselves.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Strange what circles we move in,&rdquo; Haviland was saying.
&ldquo;Do you know who owns the controlling interest in this hotel?
Surely you must know or can guess. Think a moment. It's somebody you met
over there and have reason to remember.&rdquo;</p>

<p>A sound escaped, from the throat of Colonel Gray&mdash;not a cry, but
rather a gasp of amazement, or of rage.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Aha!&rdquo; Haviland grinned in triumph. &ldquo;I
thought&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>His guest leaned forward over the desk, with face twitching. Passion
had driven the blood from it, and his whole expression was one of such
hatred, such fury, the metamorphosis was so startling, that the hotel man
stiffened in his chair and stared upward in sudden amazement.</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Nelson!</i>&rdquo; Gray ejaculated. &ldquo;Nelson! By God!
So! He's <i>here</i> !&rdquo;</p>

<p>During the moment that Haviland sat petrified, Gray turned his head
slowly, his blazing eyes searched the office as if expecting to discover
a presence concealed somewhere; they returned to the hotel man's face,
and he inquired:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, where is he?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Haviland stirred. &ldquo;I don't know what you're talking about. Who's
Nelson?&rdquo; After a second he exclaimed: &ldquo;Good Lord! I thought I
had a pleasant surprise for you, and I was gracefully leading up to it,
but&mdash;I must have jazzed it all up. I was going to tell you that the
hotel and everything in it is yours.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, the Ajax is one of the Dietz chain! Herman Dietz of
Cincinnati owns it. He left for the North not an hour ago. At the last
minute he heard you were here&mdash;read this story in the paper
&mdash;and had bellboys scouring the place for you. You must know why he
wanted to see you, and what he said when he found that he'd have to leave
before you came in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Colonel Gray uttered another exclamation, this time an expletive of
deep relief. He fought with himself a moment, then murmured an apology.
&ldquo;Sorry. You gave me a start-decidedly. Herman Dietz, eh? Well,
well! You made me think for a moment that I was a guest in the house of
some other&mdash;friend.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Friend?</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Exactly!&rdquo; Gray was himself again now. He ran a loosening
finger between his collar and throat. &ldquo;Quite a start, I'll admit,
but &mdash;some of my friends are great practical jokers. They have a way
of jumping out at me and crying 'Boo!' when I least expect it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! I see. Mr. Dietz told me that he was under lifelong
obligation to a certain Colonel Calvin Gray. Something to do with
passports&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I once rendered him a slight favor.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He doesn't regard the favor as 'slight.' He was about to be
imprisoned for the duration of the war and you managed to get him back
home.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Merely a matter of official routine. I felt sure he was a loyal
American citizen.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Exactly. But he makes more of the incident than you do, and he
gave me my instructions. So&mdash;what can I do for you on his behalf?
You have only to ask.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray pondered the unexpected offer. He was still a bit shaken, for a
moment ago he had been more deeply stirred even than Haviland suspected,
and the emotional reaction had left him weak. After all the hollow
pretense of this day a genuine proffer of aid was welcome, and the
temptation to accept was strong. Herman Dietz was indeed indebted to him,
and he believed the old German- American would do anything, lend him any
amount of money, for instance, that he might ask for. Gray wondered why
he had not thought of Dietz before he came to Texas; it would have made
things much easier. But the offer had come too late, it seemed to him; at
this moment he could see no means of profiting by it without wrecking the
flimsy house of cards he had that very day erected and exposing himself
to ridicule, to obloquy as a rank four-flusher. The scarcely dry
headlines of that afternoon paper ran before his
eyes&mdash;&ldquo;<i>Famous Financier Admits Large Oil Interests Behind
Him</i>.&rdquo; Probably there were other things in the body of the
article that would not harmonize with an appeal to Haviland for funds,
nor sound well to Mr. Dietz, once he learned the truth. The more Gray
pondered the matter, the more regretfully he realized that he had
overplayed his hand, as it were.</p>

<p>Here was a situation indeed! To be occupying the most expensive suite
in the hotel of a man who wished to lend him money, to be unable to pay
one day's rent therefore, and yet to be stopped from accepting aid. There
was a grim irony about it, for a fact. Then, too, the seed he had sown in
banking circles, and his luncheon with the mayor! Haviland had a sense of
humor; it would make a story too good to keep&mdash;the new oil operator,
the magnificent and mysterious New York financier, a
&ldquo;deadhead&rdquo; at the Ajax. Oh, murder!</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, name your poison! Isn't there something, anything we can
do for you?&rdquo; Haviland repeated.</p>

<p>&ldquo;There is, decidedly.&rdquo; Gray smiled his warm appreciation
of the tender. &ldquo;If it is not too great a drain upon the Dietz
millions, you may keep a supply of cut flowers in my room. I'm
passionately fond of roses, and I should like to have my vases filled
every morning.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You shall dwell in a perfumed bridal bower.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray paused at the door to light one of those sixty-cent cigars and
between puffs observed: &ldquo;Please assure Mr. Dietz that&mdash;his
obligation is squared and that I am&mdash;deeply touched. I shall revel
in the scent of those flowers.&rdquo;</p>

<p>That evening, when Calvin Gray, formally and faultlessly attired,
strolled into the Ajax dining room he was conscious of attracting no
little attention. For one thing, few of the other guests were in evening
dress, and also that article in the <i>Post</i>, which he had read with a
curiously detached amusement, had been of a nature to excite general
notice. The interview had jarred upon him in only one
respect&mdash;<i>viz</i>., in describing him as a &ldquo;typical soldier
of fortune.&rdquo; No doubt the reporter had intended that phrase in the
kindest spirit; nevertheless, it implied a certain recklessness and
instability of character that did not completely harmonize with Gray's
inchoate, undeveloped banking projects. Bankers are wary of anything that
sounds adventurous&mdash;or they pretend to be. As a matter of fact, Gray
had learned enough that very day about Texas bankers to convince him that
most of them were good, game gamblers, and that a large part of the
dividends paid by most of the local institutions of finance were derived
from oil profits. However, the newspaper story, as a whole, was such as
to give him the publicity he desired, and he was well content with
it.</p>

<p>Its first results were prompt in coming. Even while the head waiter
was seating him, another diner arose and approached him with a smile.
Gray recognized the fellow instantly&mdash;one of that vast army of
casuals that march through every active man's life and disappear down the
avenues of forgetfulness.</p>

<p>After customary greetings had been exchanged, the newcomer, Coverly by
name, explained that he had read the <i>Post</i> article not five minutes
before, and was delighted to learn how well the world had used Gray. He
was dining alone; with alacrity he accepted an invitation to join his old
friend, and straightway he launched himself upon the current of
reminiscence. In answer to Gray's inquiry, he confessed modestly
enough:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I'm not in your class, old man. I'm no 'modern Gil Blas,'
as the paper calls you. No Wall Street money barons are eating out of my
hand, and I have no international interests 'reaching from the Yukon to
the Plate,' but&mdash;I stand all right in little old Dallas. I'm the V.
P. of our biggest jewelry house, and business is great.&rdquo; After
their order had been given, he recited in greater detail the nature of
his success.</p>

<p>Gray was interested. &ldquo;Texas is booming,&rdquo; he said, at the
conclusion of the story. &ldquo;I'm told the new oil towns are something
like our old mining camps.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Except that they are more so. The same excitement, the same
quick fortunes, only quicker and larger. Believe me, it's fine for the
jewelry business. Look here.&rdquo; Coverly drew from his pocket a letter
written in a painfully cramped hand upon cheap note paper, and this he
spread out for his companion to read. &ldquo;There's an example in
point.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The letter, which bore the Ranger postmark, ran as follows:</p>

<p>  DERE SIR&mdash;Your store has bin rekomend to me for dimons and
I<br>
   want some for my wife and dauter. Send me prises on rings of<br>
   large sises.</p>

<p>  Yours truley GUS BRISKOW.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! Who is Mr. Briskow?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Coverly shrugged. &ldquo;Probably some nester who never saw a hundred
dollars all in one place until recently. When they strike oil, they buy
diamonds, nice large yellow ones, as a rule; then as the money continues
to flow in, they pay off the mortgage and buy a bank&mdash;or an interest
in one.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;In Heaven's name, introduce me to the opulent Gus
Briskow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wish I might. But I don't expect to make his acquaintance.
The head of our firm is away and I haven't a man I'd dare trust to send
out into the field. Usually I handle these inquiries myself when the
victim can't tear himself away from contemplating the miraculous flow of
liquid gold long enough to come here. I take an assortment of gems with
me and beard the <i>nouveau riche</i> right on his derrick floor. Why,
I've carried as much as a hundred thousand dollars' worth of merchandise
on some of my trips.&rdquo; Coverly sighed regretfully. &ldquo;Tough
luck! Too bad you're not a good jewelry salesman?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I am,&rdquo; Gray declared. &ldquo;I can sell anything. As for
diamonds&mdash;I've bought enough in my time to know their
value.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Coverly laughed in ready agreement with this statement. &ldquo;Gad!
I'm sore at missing this sale.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You needn't miss it. I'll go.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't kid an unfortunate&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm not joking. If it's worth while, pack up your saffron
solitaires&mdash;all that you dare trust me with&mdash;and I'll be your
gentlemanly representative.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Worth while? Good Lord! I'd probably get a ten-thousand-dollar
order!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Very well. It's settled.&rdquo; Gray's decision had been
quickly made. Opportunity had knocked&mdash;he was not one to deny her
admission, no matter how queer her garb. A hundred thousand dollars'
worth of gems! The very figures intrigued him and&mdash;diamonds are
readily negotiable. There would be a natural risk attached to the
handling of so large an amount. A thousand things might happen to a
treasure chest of that size. Gray began to believe that his luck had
changed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where does Mr. Briskow live?&rdquo; he inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Out beyond Ranger, somewhere. But&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm going to visit that field, anyhow. This will give me an
excuse.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; The jeweler did not like to have fun poked at
him. For some time he refused to take the offer seriously, and even when
his host insisted that he would enjoy the lark, he expostulated:
&ldquo;Why, the idea is ridiculous! You&mdash;Calvin Gray, the financier,
peddling jewelry? Ha! Outside of the fact that you wouldn't, couldn't do
it, it's not the safest thing in the world to carry a small fortune in
stones through the oil fields.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course you insure it against theft?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's the point. We can't. Have you ever heard of 'high-
jackers'? That's the Texas term for hold-up men, robbers. Well, the
country is full of them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Excellent! There no longer is any question about my
going,&rdquo; Gray announced, firmly. &ldquo;I am bored; I am stale; a
thrill, of whatever sort, would stir my blood. Animated by purely selfish
motives, I now insist upon a serious consideration of my offer. First,
you say I 'wouldn't, couldn't'; I assure you that I would,
could&mdash;and <i>shall</i>, provided I can qualify as a
salesman.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Coverly admitted without much argument that anybody could probably
effect a sale in this instance, if the diamonds were plainly marked with
their prices; it would be a mere question of displaying the goods. That
was not the point. Gray was a rich, a busy man&mdash;the idea was
fantastic.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, you're offering to do this as an accommodation to an old
friend, and your time is probably worth more than our whole profit on the
sale would amount to.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My time is worth nothing. If you hesitate to intrust this
king's ransom to me, I'll go personally responsible for its value. That's
fair, isn't it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't be silly. How could I pay you if you did go?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m!&rdquo; This idea, it seemed, had not occurred to Mr.
Gray. It was plain that money meant nothing to him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You see? We couldn't permit&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have it. We'll divorce friendship and sentiment entirely from
the discussion and reduce it to a strictly business basis. You shall ease
your conscience by paying my traveling expenses. The emotional suspense
that I undergo shall be my reward. I'll take my commission in
thrills.&rdquo;</p>

<p>This offer evoked a light laugh from Gray's guest. &ldquo;You'd get
enough of 'em,&rdquo; he asserted. &ldquo;I'll advance a mild one, on
account, at this moment. Notice the couple dining at the third table to
your left. &ldquo;Gray lifted his eyes. &ldquo;What do you
see?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A rather well-dressed, hard-faced man and a decidedly
attractive woman&mdash;brunette. There's a suggestion of repressed
widowhood about her. It's the gown, probably. I am not yet in my dotage,
and I had seen her before I saw you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She's living here. I don't know much about her, but the man
goes by the name of Mallow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No thrill yet.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's been hanging about our store for the past month, making a
few purchases and getting acquainted with some of the clerks. Wherever I
go, lately, there he is. I'll wager if I took to- night's train for
Ranger, he'd be on it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And still my pulses do not leap.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Wait! I got a sort of report on him and it's bad. I believe,
and so does the chief of police, that Mr. Mallow has something to do with
the gang of crooks that infests this country. One thing is certain,
they're not the native product, and our hold-ups aren't staged by
rope-chokers out of work.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Calvin Gray turned now and openly stared at the object of Coverly's
suspicions. There was an alert interest in his eyes. &ldquo;You've
cinched the matter with me,&rdquo; he declared, after a moment.
&ldquo;Get out your diamonds to-morrow; I'm going to take the night train
to Ranger.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Later that evening, after his guest had gone, Gray took occasion
deliberately to put himself in Mallow's way and to get into conversation
with him. This was not a difficult maneuver, for it was nearly midnight
and the lobby was well-nigh deserted; moreover, it almost appeared as if
the restless Mr. Mallow was seeking an acquaintance.</p>

<p>For the better part of an hour the two men smoked and talked, and had
Coverly overheard their conversation his blood would have chilled and he
would have prematurely aged, for his distinguished host, Calvin Gray, the
worldly-wise, suave man of affairs, actually permitted himself to be
pumped like a farmer's son. It would have been a ghastly surprise to the
jeweler to learn how careless and how confiding his friend could be in an
off moment; he would have swooned when Gray told about his coming trip to
Ranger and actually produced the misspelled Briskow letter for the
edification of his chance acquaintance. Any lingering doubt as to his
friend's honesty of purpose would have vanished utterly had he heard
Mallow announce that he, too, was going to Ranger, the very next
night&mdash;a curious coincidence, truly&mdash;and Gray's expression of
pleasure at the prospect of such a congenial traveling companion. The
agitated Coverly no doubt would have phoned a frantic call for the
police, then and there.</p>

<p>Once Gray was in his rooms, however, his manner changed, and into his
eyes there came a triumphant glitter. Hastily he rummaged through one of
his bags, and from a collection of trinkets, souvenirs, and the like he
selected an object which he examined carefully, then took into the
bathroom for further experiment. His step was springy, his lips were
puckered, he was whistling blithely when he emerged, for at last those
vaguely outlined plans that had been at the back of his mind had assumed
form and pattern. His luck had turned, he had made a new start. Mallow
was indeed a crook, and Gray blessed the prompt good fortune that had
thrown both him and Coverly in his way.</p>

<p>It had been a busy day; he was well content with its fruitage.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_4">CHAPTER III</a></h3>

<p>Old Tom Parker was a &ldquo;type.&rdquo; He was one of a small class
of men at one time common to the West, but now rapidly disappearing. A
turbulent lifetime spent in administering the law in a lawless region had
stamped him with the characteristics of a frontier
officer&mdash;<i>viz</i>., vigilance, caution, self-restraint,
sang-froid. For more than thirty years he had worn a badge of some sort
and, in the serving of warrants and other processes of law, he had
covered, first in the saddle or on buckboard, later in Pullman car or
automobile, most of that vast region lying between the Arkansas and the
Pecos, the Cimarron, and the Sabine&mdash;virtually all of what is now
Texas and Oklahoma. He still spoke of the latter state, by the way, as
&ldquo;the Territory,&rdquo; and there were few corners of it that he had
not explored long before it ceased to be a haven of hunted men.</p>

<p>That is what Tom Parker had been&mdash;a hunter of men&mdash;and time
was when his name had been famous. But he had played his part. The times
had caught up with and passed him, and no longer in the administration of
justice was there need of abilities like his, hence the shield of his
calling had been taken away.</p>

<p>Now Tom did not reckon himself obsolete. He was badger-gray, to be
sure, and stiff in one knee&mdash;a rheumatic legacy of office inherited
by reason of wet nights in the open and a too-diligent devotion to
duty&mdash;but in no other respect did he believe his age to be apparent.
His smoke-blue eyes were as bright as ever, his hand was quick;
realization that he had been shunted upon a side track filled him with
surprise and bewilderment. It was characteristic of the man that he still
considered himself a bulwark of law and order, a <i>de facto</i> guardian
of the peace, and that from force of habit he still sat facing the door
and never passed between a lighted lamp and a window.</p>

<p>Among the late comers to Wichita Falls, where he lived, Tom was known
as a quiet-spoken, emotionless old fellow with an honorable past, but
with a gift for tiresome reminiscence quite out of place in the new and
impatient order of things, and none but old-timers and his particular
cronies were aware of the fact that he had another side to his character.
It was not generally known, for instance, that he was a kind and
indulgent father and had a daughter whom he worshiped with blind
adulation. This ignorance was not strange, for Miss Barbara Parker had
been away at college for four years now, and during that time she had not
once returned home.</p>

<p>There was a perfectly good reason for this protracted separation of
father and daughter; since Old Tom was no longer on pay, it took all he
could rake and scrape to meet her bills, and railroad fares are high.
That Hudson River institution was indeed a finishing school; not only had
it polished off Barbara, but also it had about administered the<i>coup de
grace</i> to her father. There had been a ranch over near Electra with
some &ldquo;shallow production,&rdquo; from which Tom had derived a small
royalty&mdash;this was when Barbara Parker went East and before the
Burk-burnett wells hit deep sand &mdash;but income from that source had
been used up faster than it had come in, and &ldquo;Bob,&rdquo; as Tom
insisted upon calling her, would have had to come home had it not been
for an interesting discovery on her father's part&mdash;<i>viz.</i>, the
discovery of a quaint device of the law entitled a
&ldquo;mortgage.&rdquo; Mortgages had to do with a department of the law
unfamiliar to Tom, his wit, his intelligence, and his dexterity of hand
having been exercised solely in upholding the dignity of the criminal
branch, but once he had realized that a mortgage, so called, was no more
than a meaningless banking term used to cloak the impulsive generosity of
moneyed men, he availed himself of this discovery and was duly
grateful.</p>

<p>Tom carried on a nominal fire-insurance business, but as a matter of
fact the tiny two-roomed frame structure that bore his painted sign was
nothing more or less than a loafing place for him and his rheumatic
friends, and a place in which the owner could spend the heat of the day
in a position of comfort to his stiff leg&mdash;that is to say, asleep in
a high-backed office chair, his feet propped upon his desk. It was here
that Tom could usually be found, and when one of those hateful statements
arrived from the East he merely roused himself, put on his wide gray hat,
limped around to the bank, and pledged more of his oil royalties or
signed another mortgage. What insurance policies he wrote were brought to
him by his old pals; the money derived there from he sent on to
&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; with love and an admonition to be a good girl and study
hard and hurry home, because he was dying to see her. This office, by the
way, no longer suited Tom; it was becoming too noisy and he would have
sold it and sought another farther out had it not been mortgaged for more
than it was worth. So, too, was the house where he lived amid the dirt
and disorder of all bachelor establishments.</p>

<p>Now Old Tom would have resented an accusation of indolence; the bare
implication of such a charge would have aroused his instant indignation,
and Tom Parker indignant was a man to shun. As a matter of fact, he
believed himself sadly overworked, and was forever complaining about
it.</p>

<p>The time came, however, when he was forced to shed his habit of
slothfulness as completely as a snake sheds its skin, and that was during
the week before &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; arrival. Then, indeed, he swept and
he dusted, he mopped and he polished, he rubbed and he scrubbed, trying
his best to put the house in order. Never in all his life had he labored
as he did then, for four years of &ldquo;batching&rdquo; will make a
bear's nest out of the most orderly house, but he was jealous of his task
and he refused to share it with other hands. Pots and pans, rusty from
disuse or bearing the accumulated evidence of many hastily prepared
meals, he took out in the back yard and scrubbed with sand, leaving his
bony knuckles skinned and bleeding from the process; he put down a new
carpet in &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; room, no easy task for a man with an
ossified knee joint&mdash;incidentally, the &ldquo;damn thing&rdquo; kept
him awake for two nights thereafter; he nailed up fresh curtains, or they
looked fresh to him, at her windows, and smashed a perfectly good
thumb-nail in doing so. This and many other abominable duties he
performed. But love means suffering, and every pang gave Old Tom a thrill
of fierce delight for&mdash;&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; was coming. The lonely,
hungry, aching wait was over.</p>

<p>Constant familiarity with the house had mercifully dulled the
occupant's appreciation of its natural deterioration and the effects of
his neglect, so when he finally straightened his aching back and regarded
the results of his heroic efforts, it seemed to him that everything shone
like new and that the place was as neat and as clean as on the day
&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; went away. Probably Hercules thought the Augean stables
were spotless and fragrant when he had finished with them. And perhaps
they were, but Tom Parker was no demigod. He was just a clumsy old man,
unaccustomed to indoor &ldquo;doings,&rdquo; and his eyes at times during
the last few days had been unaccountably dim&mdash;as, for instance,
while he was at work in Barbara's chamber.</p>

<p>He did not sleep much on the night before the girl's arrival. He sat
until late with the framed photograph of Barbara's mother on his knee,
and tried to tell the dead and gone original that he had done his best
for the girl so far, and if he had failed, it was because he knew nothing
about raising girls and&mdash;nature hadn't cut him out to be a father,
anyhow. He had been considerably older than Barbara's mother when he
married her, and he had never ceased to wonder what there had been in him
to win the love of a woman like her, or to regret that fate had not taken
him instead of her. Heaven knows his calling had been risky enough.
But&mdash;that was how things went sometimes&mdash;the wheat was taken
and the chaff remained.</p>

<p>And in the morning! Tom was up before daylight and had his dishes
washed and his things in order long ere the town was awake. Then he went
down to the office and waited&mdash;with the jumps. Repeatedly he
consulted his heavy gold watch, engraved: &ldquo;With the admiration and
gratitude of the citizens of Burlingame. November fifth, 1892.&rdquo; It
was still two hours of train time when he locked up and limped off toward
the station, but&mdash;it was well to be there early.</p>

<p>Of course he met Judge Halloran on the street&mdash;he always
did&mdash;and of course the judge asked when &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; was coming
home. The judge always did that, too. Old Tom had lied diligently to the
judge every day for a month now, for he had no intention of sharing this
day of days with a tiresome old pest, and now he again made an evasive
answer.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mendacity is at once the lowest and the commonest form of
deceit,&rdquo; the judge indignantly announced. &ldquo;You know perfectly
well when she's coming, damn you!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Honest, I don't&mdash;not exactly.&rdquo;</p>

<p>But the judge was unconvinced. &ldquo;You've been as mysterious as a
bootlegger for the last week, but I could always read you like a book,
Tom Parker. You know, all right. Mrs. Halloran wants to come over and fix
things up for her. She said so this&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I got everything fixed,&rdquo; Tom hastily declared.
&ldquo;Ha! What did I tell you?&rdquo; The judge glared; Tom could have
bitten his tongue for that slip. &ldquo;Your pitiful attempts to mislead
Barbara's admirers expose you to ridicule, and offend those of us who
tolerate you out of regard for her.&rdquo; (The judge had a nice Texas
drawl, and he pronounced it &ldquo;reegy'ad.&rdquo;) &ldquo;You're on
your way to the train at this moment and&mdash;I propose to accompany
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What would I be going to the train for, now?&rdquo; Tom
inquired, in a deceitfully mild tone. Inwardly he was raging, and he
cursed the judge for a meddlesome old fool.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hm-m! Thought you'd sneak down there, unobserved,
probably.&rdquo; There was a pause; then the speaker went on in an
altered tone: &ldquo;D'you suppose she has forgotten all her native
accomplishments, Tom? I wonder if she can still ride and rope and shoot,
or if those thin-blooded Eastern schoolma'ams have taught her that such
things are unladylike and coarse.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! You never forget how to do those things.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She could handle a horse or a rope or a gun as well as you at
your best.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Better!</i>&rdquo; Tom declared, with swelling pride.</p>

<p>Halloran wagged his white head in agreement, an unusual procedure,
inasmuch as he never agreed with Tom on any subject which offered
possible ground for disagreement. &ldquo;A wonderful girl! And I'll wager
they haven't spoiled her. Even <i>you</i> couldn't spoil 'Bob.'&ldquo; He
raised his red, belligerent eyes and fixed them upon his old friend, but
there was now a kindly light in them. &ldquo;You made a real son of her,
didn't you, Tom?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Almost. I was mighty disappointed because she was a girl,
but&mdash;I don't know as a boy could of turned out much better. Well,
Judge, I got to be moving.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are neither grammatical nor precise,&rdquo; snapped Judge
Halloran. &ldquo;You mean <i>we</i> must be moving.&rdquo; He linked arms
with Tom and fell into step with him; he clung to that rigid arm,
moreover, despite Tom's surly displeasure. Not until a friend stopped
them for a word or two was the distracted parent enabled to escape from
that spidery embrace; then, indeed, he slipped it as a filibustering
schooner slips its moorings, and made off as rapidly and as unobtrusively
as possible.</p>

<p>Judge Halloran stared after the retreating figure, then he showed his
decayed teeth in a smile. &ldquo;'Bob' is coming home to-day and the old
Mountain Lion is on edge,&rdquo; he explained. &ldquo;I must warn the
boys to stay away from the station and give him his hour. Poor Tom! He
has held his breath for four years.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tom Parker had heard of children spoiled by schooling, of daughters
educated away from their commonplace parents and rendered disdainful of
them, but never for one instant did he fear that his girl was that sort.
He just knew better. He could no more have doubted &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo;
love for him than his for her, or-God's love for both of them. Such love
is perfect, absolute. He took no thought, therefore, of the changes time
and poverty had wrought in his appearance: &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; wouldn't
notice. He bet she wouldn't care if he was plumb ragged. They were one
and indivisible; she was <i>his</i>, just like his right arm; she was his
boy and his girl; his son- daughter. The old gunman choked and his
tonsils ached abominably. He hoped he wasn't in for another attack of
quinsy sore throat. But&mdash;why lie to himself? The truth was, he
wanted to cry and he wanted to laugh at the same time, and the impulses
were crossed in his windpipe. He shook his watch like a child's rattle,
to be sure it was still running.</p>

<p>Barbara did not disappoint her father. On the contrary, she was
perhaps more deeply moved than he at their meeting. At sight of him she
uttered a strangled little cry, then she ran into his arms and clung
there, tightly, her cheek pressed against his breast. It was only upon
occasions like this that &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; kissed her father, for she had
been reared as a boy and taught to shun emotional display. Boys kiss
their mothers. She snuggled close, and Tom could feel her whole body
shaking; but she kept her head averted to conceal a distressingly
unmasculine weakness. It was a useless precaution, however, for Tom was
blind, his eyes were as wet as hers, and tears were trickling down the
seams in his wrinkled face.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, daddy, it has been a long time!&rdquo; Those were the first
words either of them had spoken.</p>

<p>Tom opened his lips, then he closed them. He patted Barbara clumsily,
and finally cleared his aching throat with a loud
&ldquo;<i>Harrumph!</i>&rdquo; He dashed the tears from his eyes with the
heel of one harsh palm, then leveled a defiant glare over her head,
directed at anyone who might be looking on at his weakness. It was a
blurry glare, however, andnot nearly so ferocious as he intended it to
be. After several efforts he managed to regain control of his vocal
powers.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, son!&rdquo; he cried, huskily; then,
&ldquo;<i>Harrumph</i>!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Barbara's clutch tightened appreciatively. &ldquo;Such a long, long
time!&rdquo; Still with her cheek pressed close against him, she ran a
small gloved hand into the pocket of his coat and brought forth a bandana
handkerchief which she thrust into his palm, saying: &ldquo;It's a good
thing I'm home, for you've caught another cold, haven't you? Now blow
your nose.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Barbara was anything but boyish to look at; quite the opposite, in
fact. She was delightfully feminine from the crown of her smart little
traveling hat to her dainty French heels, and although her suit was not
expensive, it was worn with an air and was perhaps as fetching as any
that had ever come to Wichita Falls. It gave the impression of perfectly
setting off a figure and a personality that required no setting off. She
had the Parker eyes of quenchless blue.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, son, there's a boom on and the town has grown some; but I
guess things here are about the same as when you left 'em.&rdquo; Tom
spoke with pride and satisfaction as he paid the driver, took Barbara's
suitcase, and opened the gate for her.</p>

<p>The girl turned from her first long, appraising gaze at the modest
home. No change, indeed! The paint on the house was peeling, gutters had
rusted out, some of the porch flooring had rotted through, the yard was
an unkempt tangle of matted grass and weeds and neglected shrubbery. The
sight of it was like a stab to her, for she remembered the place as it
had been, and the shock was akin to that of seeing a loved one in the
garb of a tramp. But she smiled up at the gray face above her&mdash;Tom,
too, was as seedy as the premises&mdash;and she nodded.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It hasn't changed a mite,&rdquo; she said, bravely.</p>

<p>A moment later she paused upon the threshold, tense, thrilled,
apparently speechless. Tom was reminded of a trim little wren poised upon
the edge of its nest. This time it was more difficult to counterfeit an
exclamation of joy, but the catch in &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; voice, the
moisture in her eyes, was attributed by her father to gladness at the
sight of old familiar things. This was pay for the thought and the love
and the labor expended, truly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, everything is right where it belongs! How
<i>wonderfully</i> you've kept house! You must have a perfect jewel of a
girl, dad!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I let Aunt Lizzie go 'bout three years back,&rdquo; Tom
explained. &ldquo;She got&mdash;shiftless and I been sort of batching it
since. Clean, though, ain't it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Barbara turned; blindly she walked to the center table and buried her
face in a bouquet of wild flowers garnered from the yard. She held it
there for a moment before she spoke. &ldquo;You&mdash;didn't even forget
that I love bluebonnets, did you, dad?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! I 'ain't had much to do but remember what you like,
son.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's the matter? Business bad?&rdquo; &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo;
face was still hidden.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh no! I'm busy as usual. But, now you're home, I'll probably
feel like doing more. I got a lot of work left in me yet, now I got
somebody to work for.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;So you fixed everything with your own hands.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! I knew how you like the place to look, and&mdash;well, a
man gets used to doing without help. The kitchen's clean, too.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Side by side the two moved from room to room, and, once the girl had
regained control of herself, she maintained an admirable self-restraint.
She petted and she cooed over objects dear to her; she loved every inch
of everything; she laughed and she exclaimed, and with her laughter
sunshine suddenly broke into the musty, threadbare interior for the first
time in four years.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; room was saved for the last, and Old Tom stood
back, glowing at her delight. He could not refrain from showing her his
blackened thumb-nail&mdash;the price of his carpentry&mdash;for he hoped
she'd kiss it. And she did. Not until she had &ldquo;shooed&rdquo; him
out and sent him downstairs, smiling and chuckling at her radiant
happiness, did she give way to those emotions she had been fighting this
long time; then her face grew white and tragic. &ldquo;Oh, daddy,
daddy!&rdquo; she whispered. &ldquo;What <i>have</i> I done to
you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tom Parker had raised his girl like a son, and like a son she took
hold of things, but with a daughter's tact. Her intuition told her much,
but she did not arrive at a full appreciation of the family affairs until
she had the house running and went down to put his office in order. Then,
indeed, she learned at what cost had come those four expensive years in
the East, and the truth left her limp. She went through Tom's dusty,
disordered papers, ostensibly rearranging and filing them, and they told
her much; what they did not tell her she learned from Judge Halloran and
other old cronies who came in to pay their garrulous compliments.</p>

<p>Tom was mortgaged to the hilt, his royalties were pledged; a crow
could not pick a living out of his insurance business.</p>

<p>Such a condition was enough to dismay any girl who had never seriously
considered money matters and who had returned home to take up a life of
comparative ease and superlative enjoyment where she had left it off, but
&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; said nothing to her father. She knew every one of his
shortcomings, and they endeared him to her, quite as a son's faults and
failures deepen a mother's love, but she knew, too, that he was
cantankerous and required careful handling. Tom's toes were tender, and
he forever exposed them where they were easily trodden upon, therefore
the girl stepped cautiously and never even referred to his sacrifices,
which would have cruelly embarrassed both of them.</p>

<p>But something had to be done, and quickly; a new hand needed to mend
the family fortunes. Barbara determined to lend that hand.</p>

<p>A great change had come over the town and the whole country round
about, a change which the girl believed afforded her an opportunity to
prove that she was not a mere daughter, not an ornament and a drag, but a
real son-daughter such as Tom considered her. Wichita Falls was
overcrowded with oil man, drawn thither by the town-site strike at
Burkburnett, a few miles northwest, and excitement was mounting as new
wells continued to come in. Central north Texas was nearing an
epoch-making petroleum boom, for Ranger, away to the south, had set the
oil world by the ears, and now this new sand at &ldquo;Burk&rdquo; lent
color to the wild assertion that these north counties were completely
underlaid with the precious fluid. At any rate, the price of thirsty
ranch lands was somersaulting and prosperity was apparent in the homes of
all Barbara's girl friends. Her admirers of the opposite sex could talk
of little except leases and bonuses and &ldquo;production&rdquo;; they
were almost too busy making money to call upon her.</p>

<p>Barbara knew something about oil, for she had watched the drilling of
every one of those shallow wells that had kept her in college, and what
is more, she knew most of the property owners in this part of the state.
In that advantage she believed lay her chance of accomplishment.</p>

<p>After a fortnight of careful consideration she decided to enter the
oil business and deal in leases.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good idea,&rdquo; Tom declared, when she had made known her
plan. &ldquo;The town's so full of scamps it looks like Rodeo Day, and
most of 'em are doing well. If they can make good, it seems like an
honest firm could do better.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We'll be partners, dad. You run the insurance and I'll be the
lease hound.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Say&mdash;&rdquo; Tom's eyes brightened. &ldquo;I'll put a desk
right alongside of mine&mdash;a little feller, just your size&mdash;and a
nice lounge in the back room, where you can lay down when you're tired.
You been away so long it seems like I can't have you close enough.&rdquo;
Another thought presented itself, and he manifested sudden excitement.
&ldquo;I tell you! I'll get a new sign painted, too! 'Tom and Bob Parker.
Real Estate and Insurance. Oil Prop'ties and Leases.' <i>Gosh!</i> It's a
<i>great</i> idea, son!&rdquo; His smile lingered, but a moment later
there came into his eyes a half-regretful light.</p>

<p>Barbara read his thought almost before he was aware of it, and,
rising, she laid her hand upon his shoulder. Wistfully she said,
&ldquo;I'm awfully sorry, too, dad&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;&mdash;that I disappointed you so by not being a boy.
But&mdash;it wasn't my fault, and maybe I'll show you that a daughter can
help as much as a son.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_5">CHAPTER IV</a></h3>

<p>A year before this story opens the town of Ranger, Texas, consisted of
a weatherbeaten, run-down railroad station, a blacksmith shop, and a
hitching rail, town enough, incidentally, for the limited number of
people and the scanty amount of merchandise that passed through it.
Ranger lay in the dry belt &mdash;considered an almost entirely useless
part of the state&mdash;where killing droughts were not uncommon, and
where for months on end the low, flinty hills radiate heat like the rolls
of a steel mill. In such times even the steep, tortuous canyons dried out
and there was neither shade nor moisture in them. The few farms and
ranches round about were scattered widely, and life thereon was a grim
struggle against heartbreak, by reason of the gaunt, gray, ever-present
specter of the drought. Of late this particular region had proven itself
to be one of violent extremes, of extreme dryness during which flowers
failed to bloom, the grass shriveled and died, and even the trees refused
to put forth leaves; or, more rarely, of extreme wetness, when the
country was drowned beneath torrential rains. Sometimes, during unusual
winters, the heavens opened and spilled themselves, choking the narrow
watercourses, washing out roads and destroying fields, changing the arid
arroyos into raging river beds. At such times life for the country people
was scarcely less burdensome than during the droughts, for the heavy
bottom lands became quagmires, and the clay of the higher levels turned
into putty or a devilish agglutinous substance that rendered travel for
man or beast or vehicle almost impossible.</p>

<p>There appeared to be no law of average here. In dry times it was a
desert, lacking wholly, however, in the beauty, the mystery, and the
spell of a desert; in wet times it was a gehenna of mud and slush and
stickiness, and entirely minus that beauty and freshness that attends the
rainy seasons in a tropic clime. It was a land peopled by a hard-bitten
race of nesters&mdash;come from God knows where and for God knows
why&mdash;starved in mind and body, slaves of a hideous environment from
which they lacked means of escape.</p>

<p>Geologists had claimed for some time that there must be coal in these
north Texas counties, a contention perhaps based upon a comfortable
belief in the law of compensation, upon a theory that a region so poor
aboveground must of necessity contain values of some sort beneath the
surface. But as for other natural resources, they scouted the belief in
such. Other parts of the state yielded oil, for instance, but here the
formation was all wrong. Who ever heard of oil in hard lime?</p>

<p>Nevertheless, petroleum was discovered, and among the fraternity that
dealt in it Ranger became a word of contradiction and of deep meaning.
Aladdin rubbed his lamp, and, lo! a magic transformation occurred; one of
those thrilling dramas of a dramatic industry was played. A gypsy camp
sprang up beside the blacksmith shop, and as the weeks fled by it changed
into a village of wooden houses, then into a town, and soon into a city
of brick and iron and concrete. The railroad became clogged with freight,
a tidal wave of men broke over the town. Wagons, giant motor trucks,
caterpillar tractors towing long strings of trailers, lurched and groaned
and creaked over the hills, following roads unfit for a horse and buggy.
Straddling derricks reared themselves everywhere; their feet were set in
garden patches, in plowed fields, in lonely mesquite pastures, and even
high up on the crests of stony ridges. One day their timbers were raw and
clean, the next day they were black and greasy, advertising the fact that
once again the heavy rock pressure far below had sent another fountain of
fortune spraying over the top. Then pipe lines were laid and unsightly
tank farms were built.</p>

<p>Ranger became a mobilization point, a vast concentration camp for
supplies, and amid its feverish activity there was no rest, no Sundays or
holidays; the work went on at top tension night and day amid a clangor of
metal, a ceaseless roar of motors, a bedlam of hammers and saws and
riveters. Men lived in greasy clothes, breathing dust and the odors of
burnt gas mainly, eating poor food and drinking warm, fetid water when
they were lucky enough to get any at all.</p>

<p>This was about the state of affairs that Calvin Gray found on the
morning of his arrival. He and Mallow had managed to secure a Pullman
section on the night train from Dallas; the fact that they were forced to
carry their own luggage from the station uptown to the restaurant where
they hoped to get breakfast was characteristic of the place. En route
thither they had to elbow their way through a crowd that filled the
sidewalks as if on a fair day.</p>

<p>Mallow was well acquainted with the town, it appeared, and during
breakfast he maintained a running fire of comment, some of which was
worth listening to.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ever hear how the first discovery was made? Well, the T. P.
Company had the whole country plastered with coal leases and finally
decided to put down a fifteen-hundred-foot wildcat. The guy that ran the
rig had a hunch there was oil here if he went deep enough, but he knew
the company wouldn't stick, so he faked the log of the well as long as he
could, then he kept on drilling, against orders&mdash;refused to open his
mail, for fear he'd find he was fired and the job called off. He was a
thousand feet deeper than he'd been ordered to go when&mdash;blooie! Over
the top she went with fourteen hundred barrels.... Desdemona's the name
of a camp below here, but they call it Hog Town. More elegant! Down there
the derricks actually straddle one another, and they have to board them
over to keep from drowning one another out when they blow in. Fellow in
Dallas brought in the first well, and it was so big that his stock went
from a hundred dollars a share to twelve thousand. All in a few weeks. Of
course, he started a bank. Funniest people I ever saw, that way. Usually
when a rube makes a winning he gambles or gets him a woman, but these
hicks take their coin and buy banks.... Ranger's a real town; everything
wide open and the law in on the play. That makes good times. Show me a
camp where the gamblers play solitaire and the women take in washing and
I'll show you a dead village. The joints here have big signs on the wall,
'<i>Gambling Positively Prohibited</i> ,' and underneath the games are
running high, wide, and fancy. Refined humor, I call it.... There were
nine killings one day, but that's above the average. The last time I was
in town a couple of tool dressers got into a row with a
laundryman&mdash;claimed they'd been overcharged six cents. It came to a
shooting, and we buried all three of them. Two cents apiece! That was
their closing price. The cost of living is high enough, but it isn't
expensive to die here.&rdquo;</p>

<p>In this vein ran Mallow's talk. From the first he had laid himself out
to be entertaining and helpful, and Gray obligingly permitted him to have
his way. When they had finished breakfast, he even allowed his companion
to hire an automobile and driver for him. They shook hands finally, the
best of friends. Mallow wished him good luck and gravely voiced the hope
that he would have fewer diamonds when he returned. Gray warmly thanked
his companion for his many courtesies and declared they would soon meet
again.</p>

<p>Thus far the trip had worked out much as Gray had expected. Now, as
his service car left the town and joined the dusty procession of vehicles
moving country-ward, he covertly studied its driver and was gratified to
note that the fellow bore all the ear-marks of a thorough scoundrel. What
conversation the man indulged in strengthened that impression.</p>

<p>The Briskow farm, it appeared, lay about twenty miles out, but twenty
miles over oil-field roads proved to be quite a journey. During the muddy
season the driver declared, it might well take a whole day to make that
distance; now that the roads were dry, they could probably cover it in
two or three hours, if the car held together. Traffic near Ranger was
terrific, and how it managed to move, even at a snail's pace, was a
mystery, for to sit a car was like riding a bucking horse. If there had
been the slightest attempts at road building they were now invisible, and
the vehicular streams followed meandering wagon trails laid down by the
original inhabitants of pre-petroleum days, which had not been bettered
by the ceaseless pounding of the past twelve months. Up and down, over
armored ridges and into sandy arroyos, along leaning hillsides and across
'dobe flats, baked brick hard by the sun, the current of travel roared
and pounded with reckless disregard of tire and bolt and axle. In the
main, it was a motor- driven procession. There were, to be sure,
occasional teams of fine imported draft horses, but for every head of
live stock there were a dozen huge trucks, and for every truck a score of
passenger cars. These last were battered and gray with mud, and their
dusty occupants were of a color to match, for they drove blindly through
an asphyxiating cloud. Even the thirsty vegetation beside the roads was
coated gray, and was so tinder dry that it seemed as if a lighted match
would explode it.</p>

<p>The sun glared cruelly, and the pyramidal piles of iron pipe chained
to the groaning trucks and plunging trailers were hot enough to fry eggs
upon, but neither they nor the steaming radiators gave off more heat than
the soil and the rocks.</p>

<p>Detours were common&mdash;testimony to man's inherent
optimism&mdash;but each was worse than the other, the roadbeds everywhere
were rutted, torn, broken up as if from long-continued heavy shell
fire.</p>

<p>From every ridge skeleton derricks were in sight as far as the eye
could reach, the scattered ones, whose clean timbers gleamed in the
sunlight, testifying to dry holes; the blackened ones, usually in clumps,
indicating &ldquo;production&rdquo;&mdash;magic word.</p>

<p>There were a few crossroads settlements&mdash;&ldquo;hitch-rail towns"
&mdash;unpainted and ramshackle, but nowhere was there an attempt at
farming, for this part of Texas had gone hog wild over oil. Abandoned
straw stacks had settled and molded, cornfields had grown up to weeds,
what few head of cattle still remained lolled near the artificial surface
tanks, all but dried into mud holes.</p>

<p>It was a farm of this character that Gray's driver finally pointed out
as the Briskow ranch. The house, an unsightly story-and-a-half affair,
stood at the back of what had once been a cultivated field, and the place
was distinctive only in the fact that it gave evidence of a good water
well, or a capacious reservoir, in the form of a vivid green garden patch
and a few flourishing peach trees immediately behind the
residence&mdash;welcome relief to the eye.</p>

<p>Nobody answered Gray's knock at the front door, so he walked around
the house. Over the garden fence, grown thick with brambles, he beheld
two feminine figures, or rather two faded sunbonnets topping two pairs of
shoulders, and as he drew nearer he saw that one woman was bent and slow
moving, while the other was a huge creature, wide of hip and deep of
bosom, whose bare arms, burnt to a rich golden brown, were like those of
a blacksmith, and who wielded her heavy hoe as if it were a toy. She was
singing in a thin, nasal, uncultivated voice.</p>

<p>Evidently they were the Briskow &ldquo;help,&rdquo; therefore Gray
made his presence known and inquired for the master or mistress of the
place.</p>

<p>The elder woman turned, exposing a shrewd, benevolent face, and after
a moment of appraisal said, &ldquo;I'm Miz' Briskow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; The visitor smiled his best and announced the
nature of his errand.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lawsy me!&rdquo; Mrs. Briskow planted her hoe in the soil and
turned her back upon Gray. &ldquo;Allie! Yore pa has gone an' done it
again. Here's another of his fool notions.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The women regarded each other silently, their facial expressions
hidden beneath their bonnets; then the mother exposed her countenance a
second time, and said, &ldquo;Mister, this is Allegheny, our
girl.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Miss Allegheny Briskow lifted her head, nodded shortly, and stared
over the hoe handle at Gray. Her gaze was one of frank curiosity, and he
returned it in kind, for he had never beheld a creature like her. Gray
was a tall man, but this girl's eyes met his on a level, and her figure,
if anything, was heavier than his. Nor was its appearance improved by her
shapeless garment of faded wash material. Her feet were incased in a pair
of men's cheap &ldquo;brogans&rdquo; that Gray could have worn; drops of
perspiration gleamed upon her face, and her hair, what little was visible
beneath the sunbonnet, was wet and untidy. Altogether she presented a
picture such as some painter of peasant types might have sketched. Garbed
appropriately, in shawl and sabots, she would have passed for some
European plowwoman of Amazonian proportions. Allegheny! It was a suitable
name, indeed, for such a mountainous person. Her size was truly heroic;
she would have been grotesque, ridiculous, except for a certain youthful
plasticity and a suggestion of tremendous vigor and strength that gave
her dignity. Her ample, ill-fitting dress failed to hide the fact that
her robust body was well, even splendidly molded.</p>

<p>Gray's attention, however, was particularly challenged by the girl's
face and eyes. It was a handsome countenance, cut in large, bold
features, but of a stony immobility; the eyes were watchful, brooding,
sullen. They regarded him with mingled defiance and shyness for an
instant, then they avoided his; she averted her gaze; she appeared to be
meditating ignominious flight.</p>

<p>The mother abandoned her labor, wiped her hands upon her skirt, and
said, with genuine hospitality: &ldquo;Come right into the house and rest
yourself. Pa and Buddy'll be home at dinner time.&rdquo; By now a fuller
significance of this stranger's presence had struck home and she laughed
softly as she led the way toward the dwelling. &ldquo;Di'mon's for Allie
and me, eh? Land sakes! Pa's up to something new every day, lately. I
wonder what next.&rdquo;</p>

<p>As Gray stepped aside for the younger woman to precede him, his
curiosity must have been patent, for Allegheny became even more
self-conscious than before, and her face flamed a fiery red. As yet she
had not spoken.</p>

<p>There were three rooms to the Briskow residence, bedrooms all, with a
semi-detached, ramshackle, whitewashed kitchen at the rear and separated
from the main house by a narrow &ldquo;gallery.&rdquo; Into the front
chamber, which evidently did service also as a parlor, Mrs. Briskow led
the way. By now she was in quite a flutter of excitement. For the guest
she drew forth the one rocking chair, a patent contraption, the rockers
of which were held upon a sort of track by stout spiral springs. Its seat
and back were of cheap carpet material stretched over a lacquered frame,
and these she hastily dusted with her apron; then she seated herself upon
the edge of the bed and beamed expectantly.</p>

<p>Allegheny had carelessly brushed back her sunbonnet, exposing a mane
of damp, straight, brown hair of a quantity and length to match her
tremendous vigor of limb; but she remained standing at the foot of the
bed, too ill at ease to take a chair or perhaps too agitated to see one.
She was staring straight ahead, her eyes fixed a foot or two over the
caller's head.</p>

<p>Gray ignored her manifest embarrassment, made a gingerly acquaintance
with the chair of honor, and then devoted his attention to the elder
woman. At every move the coiled springs under him strained and snapped
alarmingly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We don't often see jewelry peddlers,&rdquo; the mother
announced; &ldquo;but, sakes alive! things is changin' so fast we get a
new surprise most every day. I s'pose you got those rings in that
valise?&rdquo; She indicated Gray's stout leather sample case.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Precisely,&rdquo; said he. &ldquo;If you have time I'd like to
show them to you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mrs. Briskow's bent figure stirred, she uttered a throaty chuckle, and
her weary face, lined with the marks of toil and hardship, flushed
faintly. Her misshapen hands tightly clasped themselves and her faded
eyes began to sparkle. Gray felt a warm thrill of compassion at the
agitation of this kindly, worn old soul, and he rose quickly. As he
gained his feet that amazing chair behaved in a manner wholly unusual and
startling; relieved of strain, the springs snapped and whined, there was
a violent oscillation of the back, a shudder convulsed the thing, and it
sprang after him, much as a tame rabbit thumps its feet upon the ground
in an effort to bluff a kitten.</p>

<p>The volunteer salesman spread out his dazzling wares upon the
patchwork counterpane, then stepped back to observe the effect. Ma
Briskow's hands fluttered toward the gems, then reclasped themselves in
her lap; she bent closer and regarded them fixedly. The Juno-like
daughter also stared down at the display with fascination.</p>

<p>After a moment Allegheny spoke, and her speaking voice was in pleasing
contrast to the nasal notes of that interrupted song. &ldquo;Are them
<i>real</i> di'mon's?&rdquo; she queried, darkly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh yes! And most of them are of very fine quality.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pa never told us a word,&rdquo; breathed the mother.
&ldquo;He's <i>allus</i> up to some trick.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Please examine them. I want you to look them all over,&rdquo;
Gray urged.</p>

<p>Mrs. Briskow acted upon this invitation only after she had dried her
hands, and then with trepidation. Gingerly, reverently she removed a ring
from its resting place and held it up to the light. &ldquo;My! Ain't it
sparkly?&rdquo; she gasped, after an ecstatic pause.</p>

<p>Again the girl spoke, her eyes fixed defiantly upon Gray. &ldquo;You
could fool us easy, 'cause we never saw <i>real</i> di'mon's. We've allus
been too pore.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The man nodded. &ldquo;I hope you're not disappointed in them and I
hope you are going to see and to own a great many finer ones.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We've never seen noth&mdash;anything, nor been anywhere,
yet.&rdquo; It was Mrs. Briskow speaking. &ldquo;But we're goin'. We're
goin' lots of places and we're goin' to see everything wuth seein', so Pa
says. Anyhow, the children is. First off, Pa's goin' to take us to the
mountains.&rdquo; The mother faced the visitor at this announcement and
for a moment she appeared to be gazing at a vision, for her wrinkled
countenance was glorified. &ldquo;You've seen 'em, haven't you,
mister?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mountains? A great many.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allegheny broke in: &ldquo;I dunno's these di'mon's is just what
<i>I</i> expected 'em to be. They are and&mdash;they ain't. I'm kind of
disapp'inted.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray smiled. &ldquo;That is true of most things that we anticipate or
aspire to. It's the tragedy of accomplishment&mdash;to find that our
rewards are never quite up to our expectations.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do they cost much?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, decidedly! The prices are all plainly marked. Please look
them over.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ma Briskow did as urged, but the shock was paralyzing; delight,
admiration, expectancy, gave place to horrified amazement at the figures
upon the tags. She shook her head slowly and made repeated sounds of
disapproval.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Tse! Tse! Tse! Why, your pa's crazy! Plumb crazy!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Although the mother's principal emotion for the moment was aroused by
the price marks on the price tags, Allegheny paid little attention to
them and began vainly fitting ring after ring to her fingers. All were
too small, however; most of them refused to pass even the first joint,
and Gray realized now what Gus Briskow had meant when he wrote for rings
&ldquo;of large sises.&rdquo; Eventually the girl found one that slipped
into place, and this she regarded with complacent admiration.</p>

<p>&ldquo;This one'll do for me,&rdquo; she declared. &ldquo;And it's a
whopper!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray took her hand in his; as yet it had not been greatly distorted by
manual labor, but the nails were dull and cracked and ragged and they
were inlaid in deep mourning. &ldquo;I don't believe you'll like that
mounting,&rdquo; he said, gently. &ldquo;It's what we call a man's ring.
This is the kind women usually wear.&rdquo; He held up a thin platinum
band of delicate workmanship which Allegheny examined with frank
disdain.</p>

<p>[Image: &ldquo;THIS ONE'LL DO FOR ME,&rdquo; SHE DECLARED. &ldquo;AND
IT'S A WHOPPER!&rdquo;]</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! I'd bust that the first time I hoed a row of
'taters,&rdquo; she declared. &ldquo;I got to have things stout, for
me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;But,&rdquo; Gray protested, in even a milder voice, &ldquo;you
probably wouldn't want to wear expensive jewelry in the
garden.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Miss Briskow held her hand high, admiring the play of light upon the
facets of the splendid jewel, then she voiced a complacent thought that
has been variously expressed by other women better circumstanced than
she&mdash;&ldquo;If we can afford to buy 'em, I reckon we can afford to
wear 'em.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Not until Gray had suggested that her days of work in the fields were
probably about ended did the girl's expression change. Then indeed her
interest was arrested. She regarded him with a sudden quickening of
imagination; she revolved the novel idea in her mind.</p>

<p>&ldquo;From what my driver has told me about the Briskow farm,&rdquo;
he ran on, &ldquo;you won't have to work at anything, unless you care
to.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie continued to weigh this new thought in her mind; that it
intrigued her was plain, but she made no audible comment.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_6">CHAPTER V</a></h3>

<p>For perhaps half an hour the women tried on one piece of jewelry after
another, exclaiming, admiring, arguing, then the mother realized with a
start that meal time was near and that the menfolks would soon be home.
Leaving Allie to entertain their guest, she hurried out, and the sound of
splitting kindling, the clatter of stove lids, the rattle of utensils
came from the kitchen.</p>

<p>Gray retired to the patent rocker, Miss Briskow settled herself upon a
straight-backed chair and folded her capable hands in her lap; an
oppressive silence fell upon the room. Evidently the duties of hostess
lay with crushing weight upon the girl, for her face became stony, her
cheeks paled, her eyes glazed; the power of speech completely failed her
and she answered Gray with nods or shakes of her head. The most that he
could elicit from her were brief &ldquo;yeps&rdquo; and
&ldquo;nopes.&rdquo; It was not unlike a &ldquo;spirit reading,&rdquo; or
a ouija-board seance. He told himself, in terms of the oil fields, that
here was a dry well&mdash;that the girl was a &ldquo;duster.&rdquo;
Having exhausted the usual commonplace topics in the course of a
monologue that induced no reaction whatever, he voiced a perfectly
natural remark about the wonder of sudden riches. He was, in a way,
thinking aloud of the changes wrought in drab lives like the Briskows' by
the discovery of oil. He was surprised when Allegheny responded:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ma and me stand it all right, but it's an awful strain on
Pa,&rdquo; said she.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The girl nodded. &ldquo;He's got <i>more</i> nutty notions.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray endeavored to learn the nature of Pa's recently acquired
eccentricities, but Allie was flushing and paling as a result of her
sudden excursion into the audible. Eventually she trembled upon the verge
of speech once more, then she took another desperate plunge.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He says folks are going to laugh <i>at</i> us or <i>with</i>
us, and&mdash;and rich people have got to <i>act rich</i>. They got to be
elegant.&rdquo; She laughed loudly, abruptly, and the explosive nature of
the sound startled her as greatly as it did her hearer. &ldquo;He's going
to get somebody to teach Buddy and me how to behave.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I think he's right,&rdquo; Gray said, quietly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, he's sent to Fort Worth for a piano, already, and for a
lady to come out for a coupla days and show me how to play it!&rdquo;
There was another black hiatus in the conversation. &ldquo;We haven't got
a spare room, but&mdash;I'm quick at learnin' tunes. She could bunk in
with me for a night or two.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray eyed the speaker suspiciously, but it was evident that she was in
sober earnest, and the tragedy of such profound ignorance smote the man
sharply. Here was a girl of at least average intelligence and of
sensitive makeup; a girl with looks, too, in spite of her size, and no
doubt a full share of common sense &mdash;perhaps even talents of some
sort&mdash;yet with the knowledge of a child. For the first time he
realized what playthings of Fate are men and women, how completely
circumstance can make or mar them, and what utter paralysis results from
the strangling grip of poverty.</p>

<p>History hints that during the Middle Ages there flourished an
association known as
Comprachicos&mdash;&ldquo;child-buyers&rdquo;&mdash;which traded in
children. The Comprachicos bought little human beings and disfigured
their features, distorted their bodies, fashioned them into ludicrous,
grotesque, or hideous monstrosities for king and populace to laugh at,
and then resold them. Soft, immature faces were made into animal
likenesses; tender, unformed bodies were put into wicker forms or
porcelain vases and allowed to grow; then when they had become things of
compressed flesh and twisted bone, the wicker was cut, the vase was
broken, leaving a man in the shape of a bottle or a mug.</p>

<p>That is precisely what environment does.</p>

<p>In the case of Allegheny Briskow, poverty, the drought, the grinding
hardships of these hard-scrabble Texas counties, had dwarfed the
intellect, the very soul of a splendid young animal. Or so, at least,
Gray told himself. It was a thought that evoked profound
consideration.</p>

<p>Now that the girl was beginning to lose her painful embarrassment, she
showed to somewhat better advantage and no longer impressed him, as
bovine, stolid, almost stupid; he could not but note again her full young
figure, her well-shaped, well-poised head, and her regular features, and
the pity of it seemed all the greater by reason thereof. He tried to
visualize her perfectly groomed, clad in a smart gown molded over a
well-fitting corset, with her feet properly shod and her hair
dressed&mdash;but the task was beyond him. Probably she had never worn a
corset, never seen a pair of silk stockings. He thought, too, of what was
in store for her and wondered how she would fit into the new world she
was about to enter. Not very well, he feared. Might not this prove to be
the happiest period of all her new life, he asked himself. As yet the
wonder and the glory of the new estate left room in her imagination for
little else; the mold was broken, but the child was not conscious of its
bottle shape. Nevertheless the shape was there. When that child learned
the truth, when it heard the laughter and felt the ridicule, what then?
He could not bring himself to envy Allegheny Briskow.</p>

<p>&ldquo;First off, Ma and me are goin' over to Dallas to do some
tradin',&rdquo; the girl was saying. &ldquo;After that we're goin' to the
mountains.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Your mother mentioned mountains.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yep. Her and Pa have allus been crazy about mountains, but they
never seen 'em. That's the first thing Ma said when Number One blowed in.
When we saw that oil go over the crown block, and when they told us that
black stuff was really oil, Ma busted out cryin' and said she'd see the
mountains, after all&mdash;then she wouldn't mind if she died. Pa he
cried, too, we'd allus been so pore&mdash;You see, Ma's kind of marked
about mountains&mdash;been that way since she was a girl. She cuts out
stories and pictures of 'em. And that's how me and Buddy came to be named
Allegheny and Ozark. But we never expected to <i>see</i> 'em. The drought
burned us out too often.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allegheny and Ozark. Quaint names. &ldquo;Times must have been
hard.&rdquo; The remark was intended only as a spur.</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Hard!</i>&rdquo; There was a pause; slowly the girl's eyes
began to smolder, and as she went on in her deliberate way, memory set a
tragic shadow over her face. &ldquo;I'll say they was hard! Nobody but us
nesters knows what hard times is. Out west of here they went three years
without rain, and all around here people was starvin'. Grown folks was
thin and tired, and children was sickly&mdash;they was too peaked to
play. Why, we took in a hull family&mdash;wagon-folks. Their hosses died
and they couldn't go on, so we kep' 'em&mdash;'til <i>we</i> burned out.
I don't know how we managed to get by except that Pa and Buddy are
rustlers and I can do more 'n a hired man. We <i>never</i> had enough to
eat. Stuff just wouldn't grow. The stock got bonier and bonier and
finally died, 'count of no grass and the tanks dryin' out. And all the
time the sun was a-blazin' and the dust was a-blowin and the clouds would
roll up and then drift away and the sun would come out hotter 'n ever.
Day after day, month after month, we waited&mdash;eighteen, I think it
was. People got so they wouldn't pray no more, and the preachers moved
away. I guess we was as bad off as them pore folks in Beljum. Why, even
the rattlesnakes pulled out of the country! Somehow the papers got hold
of it and bime-by some grub was shipped in and give around, but&mdash;us
Briskows didn't get none. Pa'd die before he'd beg.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The girl was herself now; she was talking naturally, feelingly, and
her voice was both deep and pleasing.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The thinner Ma got, the more she talked about the mountains,
where there was water&mdash;cool, clear water in the criks. And timber on
the hills&mdash;timber with green leaves on it. And grass that you could
lay down in and smell. I guess Ma was kind of feverish. We was drier 'n a
lime-burner's boot when the rain did come. I'll never forget&mdash;we all
stood out in it and soaked it up. It was wonderful, to get all wet and
soaky, and not with sweat.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then on top of that the oil came, too. It <i>must</i> have been
wonderful.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yep. Now we're rich. And buyin' di'mon's and pianos and goin'
to Dallas for pretty fixin's. Seems kinda dreamy.&rdquo; Allegheny
Briskow closed her eyes, her massive crown of damp, disordered hair
drooped backward and for a moment Gray was able, unobserved, to study
her.</p>

<p>She had revealed herself to him, suddenly, in the space of a few
moments, and the revelation added such poignancy to his previous thoughts
that he regarded her with a wholly new sympathy. There was nothing dull
about this girl. On the contrary, she had intelligence and feeling. There
had been a rich vibrance in her voice as she told of that frightful
ordeal; a dimness had come into her eyes as she spoke of her mother
gabbling feverishly of the green hills and babbling brooks; she had
yearned maternally at mention of those wretched little children. No,
there was a sincere emotional quality concealed in this young giantess,
and a sensitiveness quite unexpected.</p>

<p>Gray remained silent until she opened her eyes; then he said:
&ldquo;When you and your mother come to Dallas to do your shopping, won't
you let me take you around to the right shops and see that you get the
right things?&rdquo; Then, prompted by the girl's quick resentment, he
added, hastily, &ldquo;&mdash;at the right prices?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie's face cleared. &ldquo;Why, that's right nice of you!&rdquo; she
declared. &ldquo;I&mdash;I reckon we'd be glad to.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gus Briskow was a sandy, angular man; a ring of air holes cut in the
crown of his faded felt hat showed a head of hair faded to match the
color of his headgear; his greasy overalls were tucked into boots, and a
ragged Joseph's coat covered his flannel shirt. Both the man and his
makeup were thoroughly typical of this part of the country, except in one
particular&mdash;Pa Briskow possessed the brightest, the shrewdest pair
of blue eyes that Calvin Gray had ever seen, and they were surrounded by
a network of prepossessing wrinkles.</p>

<p>He came directly in to greet his visitor, then said: &ldquo;I never
expected you'd come 'way out here an' bring your plunder with you. Ma
says you got a hull gripful o' di'mon's.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have, indeed.&rdquo; Gray pointed to the glittering display
still spread out upon the varicolored counterpane.</p>

<p>Briskow approached the bed and gazed curiously, silently down at the
treasure, then his face broke into a sunshiny smile. He wiped his hands
upon his trousers legs and picked up a ring. But instead of examining the
jewel, he looked at the price mark, after which his smile broadened.</p>

<p>Ozark had entered behind his father, and his sister introduced him
now. He was a year or two younger than Allegheny, but cast in the same
heroic mold. They formed a massive pair of children indeed, and, as in
her case, a sullen distrust of strangers was inherent in him. He stared
coldly, resentfully, at Gray, mumbled an unintelligible greeting, then
rudely turned his back upon the visitor and joined his father.</p>

<p>The elder Briskow spoke first, and it was evident that he feared to
betray lack of conservatism, for he said, with admirable restraint:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Likely-lookin' lot of trinkets, eh, Bud?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bud grunted. After a moment he inquired of Gray, &ldquo;How much is
that hull lot wuth, Mister?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Close to a hundred thousand dollars.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Brother and sister exchanged glances; the father considered briefly,
smilingly, then he said, &ldquo;With oil at three an' a quarter, it
wouldn't take long for a twelve-hundred bar'ler to get the hull caboodle,
would it?&rdquo; &ldquo;Is your well producing twelve hundred barrels a
day?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Huh!&rdquo; Briskow, junior, grinned at his sister, exposing a
mouth full of teeth as white and as sound as railroad crockery, but his
next words were directed at Gray: &ldquo;We got <i>four</i> wells and the
p'orest one is makin' twelve hundred bar'l.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The guests' mental calculations as to the Briskow royalties were
interrupted by an announcement that dinner was ready, whereupon the
father announced:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mister, it looks like you'd have to stay overnight with us,
'cause I got important business after dinner an' I wouldn't trust Ma to
pick out no jewelry by herself&mdash;them prices would skeer her to
death. We're ignorant people and we ain't used to spendin' money, so
it'll take time for us to make up our minds. Kin you wait?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll stay as long as you'll keep me,&rdquo; Gray declared,
heartily.</p>

<p>A moment later, having learned that a place at the table had been set
for his driver as well as himself, Gray stepped out to summon the man and
to effect the necessary change in his arrangements. He was not surprised
to find the chauffeur with nose flattened against a pane of the
front-room window, his hands cupped over his eyes. Ignoring the fellow's
confusion at being discovered, Gray told him of his change of plan and
instructed him to drive back to Ranger and to return late the following
afternoon. Then he led the way toward the kitchen.</p>

<p>That stay at the Briskows' turned out to be less irksome than the
visitor had anticipated, for the afternoon was spent with Buddy examining
the Briskow wells and others near by. It was an interesting experience,
and Gray obtained a deal of first-hand information that he believed would
come in handy. Buddy's first mistrust was not long in passing, and, once
Gray had penetrated his guard, the boy was won completely, the pendulum
swung to the opposite extreme, and erelong suspicion changed to liking,
then to approval, and at last to open, extravagant admiration.</p>

<p>And Gray liked the youthful giant, too, once the latter had dropped
his hostility and had become his natural self, for Ozark was a lad with
temper and with temperament. They got along together swimmingly; in fact,
they grew thicker than thieves in the course of time. The elder man soon
became conscious of the fact that he was being studied, analyzed, even
copied&mdash;the sincerest form of flattery&mdash;and it pleased his
vanity. Buddy's mind was thirsty, his curiosity was boundless, questions
popped out of him at every step, and every answer, every bit of
information or of philosophy that fell from the visitor's lips he pounced
upon, avidly examined, then carefully put away for future use. He was
like a magpie filling its nest. Gray's personal habits, mannerisms,
tricks&mdash;all were grist for Buddy's mill. The stranger's suit, for
instance, was a curiosity to the boy, who could not understand wherein it
was so different from any other he had ever seen; young Briskow
attributed that difference to the fact that it had probably come from a
bigger store than any he had known. It amazed him to learn, in answer to
a pointed question, that it had been cut and fitted to the wearer by
expert workmen. It disappointed him bitterly to be informed that there
was not another one exactly like it which he could buy.</p>

<p>And the visitor's silk shirt, with double cuffs and a monogram on the
sleeve! Fancy &ldquo;fixin's&rdquo; like this, Buddy confessed, he had
always associated with womenfolks, but if Gray wore them there could be
nothing disgraceful, nothing effeminate about the practice. There was a
decided thrill in the prospect of possessing such finery, all initialed
with huge, silken O. B's. Life was presenting wholly novel and exciting
possibilities to the youth.</p>

<p>When Gray offered him a cigarette, Buddy rudely took the gold case out
of his hand and examined it, then he laughed in raucous delight.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Gosh! I never knew men had <i>purty</i> things. I&mdash;I'm
goin' to get me one like that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do you like it?&rdquo; &ldquo;Gee! It's
<i>swell</i>!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good! I'll make you a present of it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy stared at the speaker in speechless surprise.
&ldquo;What&mdash;what for?&rdquo; he finally stammered.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Because you admire it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why&mdash;it's solid gold, ain't it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;To be sure.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How much d'it cost?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My dear fellow,&rdquo; Gray protested, &ldquo;you shouldn't ask
questions like that. You embarrass me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy examined the object anew, then he inquired, &ldquo;Say, why'd
you offer to gimme this?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've just told you.&rdquo; Gray was becoming impatient.
&ldquo;It is a custom in some countries to present an object to one who
is polite enough to admire it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nobody never give <i>me</i> a present,&rdquo; Buddy said.
&ldquo;Not one that I wanted. I never had <i>nothing</i> that I didn't
have to have and couldn't get along without. This cigareet case is worth
more 'n all the stuff I ever owned, an' I'm sure obliged to you.&rdquo;
He replaced the article in Gray's hand.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Eh? Won't you accept it? Why not?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;Oh, I dunno.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray pondered this refusal for a moment before saying, &ldquo;Perhaps
you think I'm&mdash;trying to make a good impression on you, so you'll
buy some diamonds?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mebbe.&rdquo; Buddy averted his eyes. He was in real
distress.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! I ought to punch your head.&rdquo; Gray slipped the case
into young Briskow's pocket. &ldquo;I don't have to bribe people. Some
day you'll realize that I like you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Honest?</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Cross my heart.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The boy laughed in frank delight, his brown cheeks colored, his eyes
sparkled. &ldquo;Gosh!&rdquo; said he. &ldquo;I&mdash;like
<i>you!</i>&rdquo; For some time thereafter he remained red and silent,
but he kept one big hand in the pocket where lay the gold cigarette case.
There was a wordless song in Buddy Briskow's heart, for&mdash;he had made
a friend. And such a friend!</p>

<p>The Briskow children possessed each other's fullest confidence, hence
Ozark took the first occasion to show his gift to Allegheny, and to tell
her in breathless excitement all about that wonderful afternoon.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He said he'd a mind to lick me, an' I bet he could 'a' done it,
too,&rdquo; the boy concluded.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lick you? Hunh!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, he's hard-boiled! That's why I like him. He's been 'round
the world and speaks furrin language like a natif. That suit of clo's
was<i>made</i> for him, an' he's got thirty others, all better 'n this
one. Shoes, too! Made special, in New York. Forty dollars a
pair!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's he doin' here if he's so rich?&rdquo; It was the
doubting female of the species speaking. &ldquo;Drummers is terrible
liars.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy flew to the defense of his hero. &ldquo;He's doin' this to he'p
a friend. Told me all about it. I'm goin' to have thirty
suits&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Shoes don't cost forty dollars. <i>Clo's</i> don't cost that
much.&rdquo; Allie regarded her brother keenly, understandingly, then she
said, somberly, &ldquo;It ain't no use, Buddy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What ain't?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It ain't no use to wish. Mebbe you can have thirty
suits&mdash;if the wells hold out, but they won't look like his. And me,
too. We're too big, Buddy, an' the more money we got, the more clo's we
put on, the more folks is goin' to laugh at us. It shames me to go places
with anybody but you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>He</i> wouldn't laugh. He's been all over the world,&rdquo;
the boy asserted. Then, after some deliberation, &ldquo;I bet he's seen
bigger people than us.&rdquo;</p>

<p>As a matter of fact, Allegheny's sensitiveness about her size had been
quickly apparent to Gray, and during that day he did his utmost to
overcome it, but with what success he could not know. Buddy was his, body
and soul, that much was certain; he made the conquest doubly secure by
engaging the young Behemoth in a scuffle and playfully putting him on his
back. Defeat, at other hands than Gray's, would have enraged Ozark to the
point of frenzy, it would have been considered by him an indignity and a
disgrace. Now, however, he looked upon it as a natural and wholly
satisfactory demonstration of his idol's supreme prowess, and he roared
with delight at being bested. Gray promptly taught him the wrestling
trick by which he had accomplished the feat, and flattered the boy
immensely by refusing to again try his skill. The older man, when he
really played, could enter into sport with tremendous zest and he did so
now; he taught Buddy trick after trick; they matched each other in feats
of strength and agility. They wound up finally on opposite sides of the
Briskow kitchen table, elbows planted, fingers interlocked, straining
furiously in that muscle-racking, joint-cracking pastime of the lumber
camps known as &ldquo;twisting arms.&rdquo; Here again Gray was
victorious, until he showed Buddy how to gain greater leverage by
changing the position of his wrist and by slightly altering his grip,
whereupon the boy's superior strength told. They were red in the face,
out of breath, and soaked with perspiration, when Pa Briskow drove up in
his expensive new touring car.</p>

<p>By this time Buddy's admiration had turned to adulation; he had passed
under the yoke and he gloried shamelessly in his captive state. At supper
time he appeared with his hair wetly combed in imitation of Gray's. He
wore a necktie, too, and into it he had fastened a cheap brass stickpin,
much as Gray wore his. During the meal he watched how the guest used his
knife and fork and made awkward attempts to do likewise, but a table fork
was an instrument which, heretofore, Buddy had looked upon as a weapon of
pure offense, like a whaler's harpoon, and conveniently designed either
for spearing edibles beyond his reach or for retrieving fragments of meat
lurking between his back teeth. He even did some hasty manicuring under
the edge of the table with his jack-knife.</p>

<p>Pa Briskow was scarcely less observant than his son. He watched Gray's
every move; he sounded him out adroitly; he pondered his lightest word.
After the supper things had been cleared away and the dishes washed, the
entire family adjourned to the front room and again examined the jewelry.
It was an absorbing task, they did not hurry it. Not until the following
afternoon, in fact, did they finally make their selections, and then they
were guided almost wholly by the good taste of their guest. Gray did not
exploit them. On the contrary, his effort was to limit their
extravagance; but in this he had little success, for Pa Briskow had
decided to indulge his generous impulses to the full and insisted upon so
doing. The check he finally wrote was one of five figures.</p>

<p>By this time the visitor had become aware of arousing a queer reaction
in Allegheny Briskow. He had overcome her diffidence early enough; he had
unsealed her lips; he had obtained an insight into her character; but
once that was done, the girl retired within herself again and he could
get nothing more out of her. He would have believed that she actually
disliked him, had it not been for the fact that whatever he said, she
took as gospel, that wherever he chanced to be there she was, her ears
open, her somber, meditative eyes fixed upon him. Evidently she did not
actually dislike him; he decided finally that she was studying him,
striving to analyze and to weigh him to her own complete satisfaction
before trusting him further than she had.</p>

<p>When it drew near the time for him to leave, and he announced that the
driver of his hired car had been instructed to return for him, there was
protest, loud and earnest, from the Briskows, father and son. Buddy
actually sulked at being denied the pleasure of driving his hero to town
in the new car, and told about a smooth place on a certain detour where
he could &ldquo;get her up to sixty mile an hour.&rdquo; &ldquo;If it was
longer, she'd do a hundred,&rdquo; he declared.</p>

<p>Pa Briskow was worried for the security of the diamonds, and assured
Gray that it was unsafe to trust those service-car drivers.</p>

<p>But the latter, seeing a threat to his carefully matured plans,
refused to listen. &ldquo;There's one thing you can do for me,&rdquo; he
told them. &ldquo;You can give me a pint of cream.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Cream? What for?&rdquo; The family regarded him with
amazement.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm fond of it. If you have no cream, milk will do.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! I'll put up a hull basket of lunch for you,&rdquo; Mrs.
Briskow declared. &ldquo;Buddy, go kill a rooster, an' you, Allie, get
them eggs out of the nest in the garden, an' a jar of them peach
preserves, while I make up a pan of biscuits.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Protest was unavailing.</p>

<p>When the others had hurried away, Pa Briskow said: &ldquo;I been
studyin' you, Mister Gray, and I got you down as a first-class man. When
Ma and Allie come over to Dallas to get rigged out, I'd like you to help
'em. They 'ain't never been fu'ther from home than Cisco&mdash;that's
thirty mile. I'll pay you for your time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray's hearty acceptance of the first and his prompt refusal of the
second proposal pleased the speaker.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bein' rich is mighty fine, but&mdash;&rdquo; Gus Briskow shook
his head doubtfully. &ldquo;It takes a lot of thinkin', and I ain't used
to thinkin'. Some day, mebbe, I'll get you to give <i>me</i> a hand in
figgerin' out some worries.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Business worries?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No. I got enough of them, an' more comin', but it ain't that.
We're goin' to have a heap of money, and&rdquo;&mdash;he looked up with
straightforward eyes&mdash;&ldquo;we ain't goin' to lose it, if I have my
way. We've rubbed along, half starved, all our lives, an' done without
things till we're&mdash;Well, look at us! I reckon we've made you laugh.
Oh, I bet we have! Ma an' me can stand it, but, mister, I don't want
folks to laugh at my children, and there's other things I don't want to
happen to 'em. Buddy's a wild hoss and he's got a streak of the Old Nick
in him. And Allie ain't broke no better 'n him. I got a feelin' there may
be trouble ahead, an' &mdash;sometimes I 'most wish we'd never had no oil
in Texas.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_7">CHAPTER VI</a></h3>

<p>&ldquo;Well, did you land them hicks?&rdquo; It was Gray's driver
speaking. Through the gloom of early evening he was guiding his car back
toward Ranger. The road was the same they had come, but darkness had
invested it with unfamiliar perils, or so it seemed, for the headlights
threw every rock and ridge into bold relief and left the holes filled
with mysterious shadows; the vehicle strained, its motor raced, its gears
clashed noisily as it rocked along like a dory in a boisterous tide rip.
Only now and then did a few rods of smooth going permit the chauffeur to
take his attention from the streak of illumination ahead long enough to
light another cigarette, a swift maneuver, the dexterity of which bespoke
long practice.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes. And I made a good sale,&rdquo; the passenger declared.
With pride he announced the size of the Briskow check.</p>

<p>&ldquo;J'ever see a dame the size of that gal?&rdquo; A short laugh
issued from the driver. &ldquo;She'd clean up in vaudeville, wouldn't
she? Why, she could lift a ton, in harness. And hoein' the garden, with
their coin! It's like a woman I heard of: they got a big well on their
farm and she came to town to do some shoppin'; somebody told her she'd
ought to buy a present for her old man, so she got him a new handle for
the ax.<i>Gawd!</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>A few miles farther on the fellow confessed: &ldquo;I wasn't crazy
about comin' for you to-night. Not after I got a flash at what's in that
valise.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're takin' a chance, stranger.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing new about that.&rdquo; Gray remained unperturbed. His
left arm was behind the driver; with it he clung rigidly to the back of
the seat as the car plunged and rolled. &ldquo;Frequently we are in
danger when we least suspect it. Now you, for instance.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Me?&rdquo; The man at the wheel shot a quick glance at his
fare.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You probably take more chances than you dream of.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How so?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! These roads are a menace to life and limb; the country is
infested with robbers&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, sure! That's what I had in mind. Joy-ridin' at night with a
hatful of diamonds is my idea of a sucker's amusement. Of course, we
won't 'get it'&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course! One never does.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! But if we should, there's just one thing to
do.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed?&rdquo; Gray was pleasantly inquisitive, but it was
plain that he suffered no apprehensions. &ldquo;And that
is&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sit tight and take your medicine.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I never take medicine.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The chauffeur shrugged his shoulders. &ldquo;Well, I do, when it's put
down my throat. I <i>been</i> stuck up.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Really!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Twice. Tame as a house cat, me&mdash;both times. I s'pose I'll
get nicked again sometime.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And you won't offer any resistance?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not a one, cull.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm relieved to be assured of that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For a second time the driver flashed a glance at his companion. It was
a peculiar remark and voiced in a queer tone. &ldquo;Yes? Why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Because&mdash;&rdquo; Gray slightly shifted his position, there
was a movement of his right hand&mdash;the one farthest away from the man
at the wheel&mdash;and simultaneously his left arm slipped from the back
of the seat and tightly encircled the latter's waist. He finished in a
wholly unfamiliar voice, &ldquo;Because, my good man, you are now held up
for the third time, and it would distress me to have to kill
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The driver uttered a loud grunt, for something sharp and hard had been
thrust deeply into that soft, sensitive region overlying his liver, and
now it was held there. It was unnecessary for Gray to order the car
stopped; its brakes squealed, it ceased its progress as abruptly as if
its front wheels had fetched up against a stone wall.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hey! What the&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't try to 'heel' me with your elbow,&rdquo; Gray warned,
sharply. &ldquo;Now, up with 'em&mdash;you know. That's nice.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The faces of the men were close together. Gray's was blazing, the
driver's was stiff with amazement and stamped with an incredulous
grimace. Paralyzed for the moment with astonishment, he made no
resistance, not even when he felt that long muscular left arm relax and
the hand at the end of it go searching over his pockets.</p>

<p>Gray was grim, mocking; some vibrant, evil quality to his voice
suggested extreme malignity at full cock, like that unseen weapon the
muzzle of which was buried beneath the driver's short ribs. &ldquo;Ah!
You go armed, I see. A shoulder holster, as I suspected. I knew you had
nothing on this side.&rdquo; Seizing his victim's upstretched right hand
with his own left, he gave it a sudden fierce wrench that all but snapped
the wrist, and at the same instant he reached across and snatched the
concealed weapon from its resting place. He flung the chauffeur's body
away from him; there was a sharp click as he swiftly jammed the barrel of
the automatic back and let it fly into place.</p>

<p>The entire maneuver had been deftly executed, even yet the object of
the assault was speechless.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Now then&rdquo;&mdash;the passenger faced about in his seat and
showed his teeth in a smile&mdash;&ldquo;it is customary to permit the
condemned to enjoy the last word. What have you to say for
yourself?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;got this to say. It's a hell of a joke&mdash;&rdquo;
the man exploded.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do I act as if I were joking?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If you think it's funny to jab a gun in a man's belly when he
ain't lookin'&mdash;&rdquo; &ldquo;A gun? My simple friend, you
have&mdash;or had&mdash;the only gun in this party, and you may thank
whatever gods you worship that you didn't try to use it, for&mdash;I
would have been rough with you. Oh, very rough! I might even have made
you eat it. Now, inasmuch as you may be tempted to embellish this story
with some highly imaginary details, I prefer that you know the truth.
This is the 'gun' I used to stick you up.&rdquo; With a rigidly outthrust
thumb Gray prodded the driver in the side. &ldquo;Simple, isn't it? And
no chance for accidents.&rdquo; The speaker's shoulders were shaking.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, I'll be damned!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not a doubt of it!&rdquo; chuckled the other. &ldquo;Especially
if you follow in the course you have chosen. And a similar fate will
overtake your pal, Mallow. By the way, is that his right name?... Never
mind, I know him as Mallow. A shallow, trusting man, and, I hope, a
better judge of diamonds than of character. As for me, I look deeper than
the surface and am seldom deceived in people&mdash;witness your case, for
example. I knew you at once for a crook. It might save you several miles
of bad walking to tell me where Mallow is waiting to high-jack me....
No?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dunno what you're ravin' about,&rdquo; growled the unhappy
owner of the automobile. &ldquo;But, believe me, I'll have you pinched
for this.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How sharper than a serpent's tooth is ingratitude! And what bad
taste to prattle of prosecution. I sha'n't steal your car, it needs too
much overhauling. And I abominate cheap machines. It is true that I'm one
pistol to the good, but in view of the law against carrying lethal
weapons, surely you won't prefer charges against me for removing it from
your person. Oh, not that! It seems to me that I'm treating you
handsomely, for I shall even pay you the agreed price for this trip,
provided only you tell me where you expect to meet Mr. Mallow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Go to hell!&rdquo; &ldquo;Very well. Oblige me now by getting
out.... And make it snappy!&rdquo;</p>

<p>The driver did as directed. Gray pocketed the automatic, slipped in
behind the steering wheel, and drove away into the night, followed by
loud and earnest objurgations.</p>

<p>He was still smiling cheerfully when, a mile farther on, he brought
the car to a stop and clambered out. Passing forward into the
illumination of the headlights, he busied himself there for several
moments before resuming his journey.</p>

<p>For the first time in a long while Calvin Gray was thoroughly enjoying
himself. Here was an enterprise with all the possibilities of a
first-class adventure, and of the sort, moreover, that he was peculiarly
qualified to cope with. It possessed enough hazard to lend it the
requisite zest, it was sufficiently unusual to awaken his keenest
interest; he experienced an agreeable exaltation of spirit, but no
misgivings whatever as to the outcome, for he held the commanding cards.
Little remained, it seemed to him, except to play them carefully and to
take the tricks as they fell. He had not the slightest notion of
permitting Mallow to lay hands upon that case of jewels.</p>

<p>There was no mistaking the road, but Gray did not bother to stick to
the main-traveled course when detours or short cuts promised better
going, for he knew full well that Mallow would be waiting, if at all, in
some place he was bound to pass. It was an ideal country for a holdup;
lonely and lawless. Derrick lights twinkled over the mesquite tops, and
occasionally the flaming red mouth of some boiler gaped at him, or the
foliage was illuminated by the glare of gas flambeaux&mdash;vertical iron
pipes at the ends of which the surplus from neighboring wells was
consumed in what seemed a reckless wastage. Occasionally, too, a belated
truck thundered past, but the traffic was pretty thin.</p>

<p>At last, however, he beheld some distance ahead the white glare of two
stationary lights. The road was narrow and sandy here, and shut in by
banks of underbrush; as he drew nearer a figure stepped out and stood in
silhouette until his own lights picked it up. The figure waved its arms,
and called attention to the car behind&mdash;evidently broken down. Here,
then, the drama was to be played.</p>

<p>Gray brought his machine on at such a pace and so close to the man in
the road that the latter was forced to step aside, then he swung it far
to the right, brought it back with a quick twist of the steering wheel,
and killed his motor. He was now in the ditch and outside the blinding
glare of the opposing headlights; the stalled machine was in the full
illumination of his own lamps.</p>

<p>Contrary to Gray's expectations, the car in the road was empty and the
man who had hailed him was a stranger. As the latter approached, he
inquired:</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's wrong?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Out of gas, I guess. Anyhow&mdash;I&mdash;&rdquo; The speaker
noted that there was but one new arrival, where he had expected two, and
the discovery appeared to nonplus him momentarily. He stammered,
involuntarily he turned his head.</p>

<p>Gray looked in the same direction, but without changing his position,
and out of the corner of his eye he glimpsed a new figure emerging from
the shadows behind him. Very clever! But, at least, his unexpected
maneuver with his own car had made it necessary for both men to approach
him from the same side.</p>

<p>While the first stranger continued to mumble, Gray sat motionless,
keenly conscious, meanwhile, of that other presence closing in upon him
from the rear. He simulated a violent start when a second voice
cried:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't move. I've got you covered.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My God!&rdquo; Gray twisted about in his seat and exposed a
startled countenance. A masked man was standing close to the left running
board, and he held a revolver near Gray's head; the apparition appeared
to paralyze the unhappy traveler, for he still tightly clutched the
steering wheel with both hands.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Just sit still.&rdquo; The cloth of the mask blew outward as
the words issued; through the slits two malevolent eyes gleamed.
&ldquo;Act pretty, and you won't get hurt.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why! It's&mdash;it's Mr. <i>Mallow</i>!&rdquo; Gray hitched
himself farther around in his seat and leaned forward in justifiable
amazement. &ldquo;As I live it's you, Mallow!&rdquo; Both highwaymen were
in front of him, now, and shoulder to shoulder; he made sure there were
no others behind them.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Shut up!&rdquo; Mallow snapped. &ldquo;Frisk him, Tony,
and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>The command was cut short by a startled, throaty cry&mdash;a hoarse
sound of astonishment and rage&mdash;and simultaneously a strange, a
phenomenal thing occurred. An unseen hand appeared to strike down both
Mallow and his accomplice where they stood, and it smote them, moreover,
with appalling force and terrifying effect. One moment they were in
complete mastery of the situation, the next they were groveling in the
road, coughing, sneezing, barking, retching, blaspheming poisonously.
Baffled fury followed their first surprise. Mallow tore the mask from his
face and groped blindly for the weapon he had dropped, but before he
could recover it, pain mastered him and he fell back, clawing at himself,
rubbing at his eyes that had been stricken sightless. He yelled. Tony
yelled. Then upon the startled night there burst a duet of squeals and
curses, a hideous medley of mingled pain and fright, at once terrifying
and unnatural. Both bandits appeared to be in paroxysms of agony; from
Tony issued sounds that might have issued from the throat of a woman in
deadly fear and excruciating torment; Mallow's face had been partially
protected, hence he was the lesser sufferer; nevertheless, his eyes were
boiling in their sockets, his lungs were ablaze, ungovernable convulsions
ran over him.</p>

<p>The men understood vaguely what had afflicted them, for they had seen
Gray lift one hand from the wheel, and out of that hand they had seen a
stream of liquid, or a jet of aqueous vapor, leap. It was too close to
dodge. It had sprung directly into their faces, vaporizing as it came,
and at its touch, at the first scent of its fumes, their legs had
collapsed, their eyes had tightly closed, and every cell in their
outraged bodies had rebelled. It was as if acid had been dashed upon
them, destroying in one blinding instant all power for evil. With every
breath, now, a new misery smote them. But worse than this torture was the
monstrous nature of their afflictions. It was mysterious, horrible; they
believed themselves to be dying and screamed in abysmal terror of the
unknown.</p>

<p>Gray squeezed again the rubber bulb that he had carried in his hand
these last several miles, ejecting from it the last few drops of its
contents, then he opened the car door, stepped out of it and stood over
his strangling victims. He kicked Mallow's revolver off the road, and,
holding his breath, relieved the other high- jacker of his weapon. This
he flung after the first, then he withdrew himself a few paces and
lighted a cigarette, for a raw, pungent odor offended his nostrils. Both
of the bawling bandits reeked of it, but their plight left him
indifferent. They reminded him of a pair of horses he had seen
disemboweled by a bursting shell, but he felt much less pity for
them.</p>

<p>His lack of concern made itself felt finally. Mallow, who was the
first to show signs of recovery, struggled to his feet and clawed blindly
toward the automobile. He clung to it, sick and shaking; profanely he
appealed for aid.</p>

<p>&ldquo;So! It <i>is</i> Mr. Mallow,&rdquo; Gray said. &ldquo;Fancy
meeting you here!&rdquo;</p>

<p>A stream of incoherencies issued from the wretched object of this
mockery. Tony, the other man, stifled his groans, rose to his knees, and,
with his hands clasped over his eyes, shuffled slowly away, as if to
escape the sound of Gray's voice.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Better quiet down and let me do something at once, if you wish
to save your sight,&rdquo; the latter suggested. &ldquo;Otherwise I won't
answer for the result. And you needn't tell me how it hurts. I
know.&rdquo; This proffer of aid appeared to throw the sufferers into new
depths of dismay. They called to him in the name of God. They were
harmless, now, and anyhow they had intended to do him no bodily harm.
They implored him to lend succor or to put them out of their
distress.</p>

<p>Gray fell to work promptly. The bottle of cream he had begged from Ma
Briskow he now put to use. With this soothing liquid he first washed out
their eyes, the membranes of which were raw and spongy, and
excruciatingly sensitive to light, then he bandaged them as best he could
with compresses, wet in it.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'll breathe easier as time goes on,&rdquo; he announced.
&ldquo;You'll cough a good deal for a few days, but where you are going
that won't disturb anybody. Your eyes will get well, too, if you take
care of them as I direct. But, meanwhile, let me warn you against lifting
those bandages. Advise me as they dry out and I'll wet them
again.&rdquo;</p>

<p>A blessed relief stole over the unfortunate pair; they were still sick
and weak, but in a short time the acuteness of their suffering had
diminished sufficiently for Gray to help them into the back seat of his
car and resume his journey.</p>

<p>Sarcastically he referred to the sample case on the tonneau floor.
&ldquo;If those diamonds are in your way, I'll take them in front with
me. If not, I'll ask you to keep an eye on them&mdash;or, let us say,
keep a foot on them. If you should be foolish enough to heave them
overboard or try to renew your assault upon me, I would be tempted to
break this milk bottle. In that event, my dear Mallow, you'd go through
life with a tin cup in your hand and a dog on a string.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tony groaned in abject misery of body and soul. Mallow cursed
feebly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What&mdash;is that devilish stuff?&rdquo; the latter queried.
It was plain from his voice that he meditated no treachery. &ldquo;Oh! I
was going to tell you. It is a product of German ingenuity, designed, I
believe, for the purpose of quelling riotous and insurrectionary
prisoners. It was efficacious, also, in taking pill boxes and clearing
out dug-outs and the like. With some care one is safe in using it in an
ordinary ammonia gun&mdash;the sort policemen use on mad dogs. Forgive
me, if I say that you have demonstrated its utility in peace as well as
in war. If there were more high-jackers in the world the device might be
commercialized at some profit; but, alas, my good Mallow, your profession
is not a common one.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Cut out the kidding,&rdquo; Mallow growled, then he fell into a
new convulsion of coughing. The car proceeded for some time to the tune
of smothered complaints from the miserable figures bouncing upon the rear
seat before Gray said: &ldquo;I fear you are a selfish pair of rascals.
Have you no concern regarding the fate of the third member of your
treasure-hunting trio?&rdquo; Evidently they had none. &ldquo;Too bad!
It's a good story.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Whatever their indifference to the welfare of the chauffeur, they
still had some curiosity as to their own, for Mallow asked:</p>

<p>&ldquo;What are you going to do with us?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What would you do, if you were in my place?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd&mdash;listen to reason.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Meaning&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hell! You know what he means,&rdquo; Tony cried, feebly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;So! You do me the honor to offer a bribe.&rdquo; Gray laughed.
&ldquo;Pardon my amusement. It sounds callous, I know, but, frankly, your
unhappy condition fails to distress me. Well, how much do you
offer?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;All we got. A coupla thousand.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A temptation, truly.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow addressed his companion irritably. &ldquo;Have a little sense.
He don't need money.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Calvin Gray had never been more pleased with himself than now, for
matters had worked out almost exactly according to plan, a compliment
indeed to his foresight and to his executive ability. He loved
excitement, he lived upon it, and much of his life had been devoted to
the stage-management of sensational exploits like this one. As a boy
plays with a toy, so did Gray amuse himself with adventure, and now he
was determined to exact from this one the last particle of enjoyment and
whatever profit it afforded.</p>

<p>Within a few minutes of his arrival at Ranger, the town was noisy with
the story, for he drove down the brightly lighted main street and stopped
in front of the most populous cafe. There he called loudly for a
policeman, and when the latter elbowed his way through the crowd, Gray
told him, in plain hearing of all, enough of his experience to electrify
everybody. He told the story well; he even made known the value of his
diamond stock; mercilessly he pilloried the two blindfolded bandits. When
he drove to the jail the running boards of his car were jammed with
inquisitive citizens, and those who could not find footing thereon
followed at a run, laughing, shouting, acclaiming him and jeering at his
prisoners.</p>

<p>Having surrendered custody of the latter, he dressed their eyes once
more and explained the sort of care they required, then he made an appeal
from the front steps of the jail, adjuring the mob to disperse quietly
and permit the law to take its course.</p>

<p>Nothing like this had occurred during the brief, busy life of the
town. It was a dramatic incident, but the manner in which this capable
stranger had handled it and the discomfiture he had brought upon his
assailants appealed more to the risibilities than to the anger of Ranger.
Admiration for him displaced indignation at the high-jackers; cries for
vengeance upon them were drowned in noisy appreciation of their captor.
Gray became a popular character; men clamored to shake his hand, and
complimented him upon his nerve. The editor of the local newspaper
dragged him, protesting, to the office and there interviewed him. Gray
was covered with confusion. Reluctantly he made known his identity, and
retold the whole story of his trip, this time beginning at his meeting
with Coverly in Dallas. He displayed the bewildering contents of his
sample case, now guarded by a uniformed arm of the law, and explained how
he had volunteered his services out of pure love of adventure, then how
he had played into Mallow's hands while aware of his malign purpose at
all times.</p>

<p>This was more than a local story; it was big enough for the wire. Gray
sat at the editor's elbow while that enthusiastic gentleman called Dallas
and gave it to the papers there.</p>

<p>He was escorted to the railroad station by an admiring crowd; he was
cheered as he passed, smiling, into his Pullman car.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_8">CHAPTER VII</a></h3>

<p>Coverly was at the station when Gray's train arrived at Dallas the
next morning. He was suffering intense excitement, and he deluged his
friend with a flood of questions, meanwhile flourishing the morning
papers, all of which appeared to have devoted much space to the Ranger
episode. He hugged Gray, and he pumped his hand; he laughed and he
chattered; he insisted upon hearing the whole story without delay. On
their way uptown, the returning hero gave it to him, together with Gus
Briskow's check.</p>

<p>At the size of the latter Coverly gasped. &ldquo;Didn't I say you were
a good salesman? And Mallow! You got him, didn't you? I <i>told</i> you
he was a crook. Just the same, old man, you ran a terrible risk and I
feel mighty guilty. Why, those fellows would have killed you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Probably.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why didn't you take along a policeman or somebody?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And miss all the fun? Miss my pay for the trip? I agreed to
take my commission in thrills.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The jeweler was frankly curious. &ldquo;Weren't you
frightened?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Frightened? No.&rdquo; Gray shook his head. &ldquo;I've never
been really afraid of anything or anybody, so far as I recall. I've never
been able to understand the necessity of being frightened. I dare say the
capacity for enjoying that particular emotion was omitted from my
make-up&mdash;the result of some peculiar prenatal influence, probably.
I'm sorry, too, for fear must have a fascination and I like unusual
sensations.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Speaking of your commissions, how am I going to pay
you&mdash;not for the sale you made, although I wouldn't have done as
well, but for the loss you saved the firm and for the risk you
ran?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray felt a momentary desire to have done with pretense, to confess
his true condition and to beg not only a suitable reward for his
services, but also as large a loan as Coverly could spare. It is hard to
maintain an attitude of opulence on less than nothing; it would be so
much easier to have done with this counterfeit gesture and trust to a
straightforward appeal. But he dared not yield to the impulse.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You may give me anything you see fit,&rdquo; he declared,
&ldquo;and I sha'n't embarrass you by refusing. On the contrary, go as
strongly as you possibly can.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Coverly actually appeared to be relieved at this statement, but he
inquired, curiously: &ldquo;What have you got up your sleeve? You don't
need money.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Obviously not. But I know a needy object of charity; a worthy
case, I assure you. I can scarcely call him a friend, but I used to
admire him greatly, and he is still an agreeable companion&mdash;a man at
once capable, extravagant, entertaining, dissipated. He is in a bad way,
temporarily, and can scarcely afford even the bare necessities of life.
It is only with my help, in fact, that he maintains its luxuries. Your
money shall go to him, and with every dollar of it that he squanders,
there shall arise an earnest orison to you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The jeweler was delighted. &ldquo;Good!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;I
detest the deserving poor as heartily as you do. And now I'd like to open
a bottle of champagne with our breakfast.&rdquo;</p>

<p>On the very day that the new sign, &ldquo;Tom and Bob Parker,&rdquo;
went up over the door of the insurance office at Wichita Falls, the
junior partner announced:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, dad, the firm gets busy at once. I'm off for Dallas
to-night.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What for?&rdquo; Tom was dismayed by such a prompt
manifestation of energy. &ldquo;I'll have to tell you&mdash;&rdquo;
Barbara perched herself upon her father's desk and began speaking with a
note of excitement in her voice. &ldquo;I heard Henry Nelson was in town,
so I went to the bank this morning to see him. He's such a big man in the
oil business I thought he might help me. He was there, but in conference
with his father and another man. There were several people waiting, so I
sat down. When the man they were talking to came out, it was Pete, that
driller who put down the first well for us. He was glad to see me, and we
had quite a talk, but I noticed he was fidgety. He said he was running a
rig over near 'Burk,' and had a fishing job on his hands. With all the
excitement and everybody running double 'towers' and trying to beat the
other fellow down to the sand, it struck me as queer that a contract
driller like Pete would be here in Wichita in conference with Bell and
Henry Nelson, when he ought to be out on the lease fishing for a lost
bit. It didn't sound right. The more I got out of him, the queerer it
sounded, for he had all the fishing tools he needed, so I accused him of
being a fraud. I told him I'd bet he had a showing of oil and was trying
to borrow money to buy the offset or to get the Nelsons to buy it and
carry him for an interest.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where'd you pick up this lingo?&rdquo; Tom inquired. &ldquo;You
talk like them wild men at the Westland Hotel.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Barbara laughed delightedly. &ldquo;Didn't I put down all our shallow
wells? If I didn't, I thought I did. Anyhow, I spent most of my time
around the rigs and Pete used to call me his boss. Well, that wretched
man turned all colors when I accused him, and tried to 'shush' me. He
said I mustn't talk about things I knew nothing about&mdash;somebody
might overhear me. He declared the outfit he was working for were no good
and wouldn't pay a driller a bonus if he made a well for them. He was
sick of making other people rich and getting nothing for himself.... It
was time the drilling crews shared in the profits.... He'd see that
nobody froze him out again if he had to spoil the hole. He wound up by
denying everything, and I pretended to swallow it, but when he had gone I
went over my maps and located the lease where he's drilling. Three of the
adjoining tracts are owned by the big companies, so that eliminated them,
but the twenty to the west belongs to Knute Hoaglund. Henry was glad to
see me when my turn came to go in, and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I bet he was glad,&rdquo; Tom declared.</p>

<p>Barbara's smooth cheeks flushed faintly. &ldquo;He is too busy and too
rich to&mdash;think about girls.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He wasn't too busy and too rich to inquire about you 'most
every day since he got back from the war.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I didn't forget to call him 'Colonel,' and that pleased both
him and Bell. Then I told them that I proposed to become a rich and
successful oil operator and wanted their advice how to begin. Old Bell
was amused, but Henry&mdash;I beg pardon, <i>Colonel</i>&mdash;Nelson was
shocked. He couldn't bear to think of women, and of me especially, in
business. He might have become disagreeably personal if his father hadn't
been there.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Dunno's I care much for Henry,&rdquo; Tom said, mildly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, he's all right, but&mdash;I <i>hate</i> Bell! It makes
anybody mad to be laughed at. Henry was more diplomatic. He tried to
convince me that the oil game is altogether a man's business and that no
woman could succeed at it. 'It is a contest of wits,' he explained.
'You've got to outguess the other fellow. You've got to know everything
he's doing and keep him from knowing anything you're doing. The minute he
knows as much as you do, he's got it on you.' That seemed to prove to
Henry that no woman could win at it, for men are such superior creatures.
They know so much more than a woman can possibly learn; their wits are so
much keener!</p>

<p>&ldquo;I was duly impressed. I asked him to call this evening, for I
did so wish to have him teach me what little I was capable of learning.
But he couldn't come, because he had been called to Dallas, unexpectedly.
That was my cue. In my most sweetly girlish manner I said: 'Oh, indeed!
Do you expect to see Knute Hoaglund while you're there?'&ldquo;</p>

<p>Two hectic spots had come into &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; cheeks during this
recital; she was teetering upon the desk now like a nodding Japanese
doll, and her blue eyes were dancing.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I heard Old Bell's chair creak and I saw him shoot a quick
glance at Henry. Henry admitted, casually, that he might drop in on
Knute. Why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;'You'll be wasting time,' I told him, even more sweetly, 'for
dad and I have that twenty west of Burkburnett.'</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Well!</i> You'd have thought I had stuck a hatpin into Bell.
And Henry's mouth actually dropped open. Think of it: Colonel Henry
Nelson, the hero of Whatever-it-is, with his imperial mouth open and
nothing coming out of it&mdash;not even the imperial breath!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; rocked backward and kicked up her neatly shod feet;
she hugged herself and snickered with a malicious enjoyment not wholly
Christian-like.</p>

<p>&ldquo;But&mdash;we 'ain't even got an option! It takes <i>money</i>
to lease close-in stuff.&rdquo; Tom was bewildered.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course. And they realized that, or Bell did, as soon as he'd
had time to collect himself. But it was too late then; he had betrayed
himself and he knew it. Oh, he was sore! He'd have flung me out if I'd
been a man. I got mad, too, and I told him it made no real difference
whether I was bluffing or not; the jig was up, so far as he was
concerned. I reminded him of what Henry had just said&mdash;that the oil
business is a game of wits, and that when you know what the other fellow
is doing you have him licked. I admitted that he could probably keep me
from getting the lease, but I could also keep him from getting it. Bell
nearly had a stroke at that threat. Henry behaved very decently
throughout. I think it must have pleased him to find that somebody in
Wichita, besides him, had the courage to defy his father; anyhow, he
said, '&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; has beaten us at our own game. She knows enough
now to place that lease in half an hour, and I think we'd better take her
in. Otherwise she'll wire Knute, and he'll probably protect her for an
interest.'</p>

<p>&ldquo;That made me feel awfully fraudulent, but his smarty remarks
about women in the oil business still rankled, so I just sat pretty and
blinked like a little owl. Bell swore. In his best and most horrible
manner, he swore, but&mdash;he gave in.&rdquo; &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; laughed
again, a bit hysterically. &ldquo;That's about all, dad. They agreed to
put up the money and carry me&mdash;us, I mean&mdash;for a quarter
interest if I can get the lease from Knute Hoaglund. So, I'm leaving on
the night train.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Son! I&mdash;I'm darned if I don't believe we'll make a go of
this business,&rdquo; Tom Parker declared.</p>

<p>With a little cry Barbara flung herself into his arms. * * * * *</p>

<p>The publicity Calvin Gray received from his exploit at Ranger could be
nothing except agreeable to one of his temperament. Gratefully he basked
in his notoriety, meanwhile continuing assiduously to cultivate the
moneyed men of Dallas. His sudden leap into prominence aroused curiosity
among the wives and families of the latter, and he became the recipient
of some social attentions. He accepted every invitation, and so well did
he carry himself in company, so ornamental and engaging was he as a
dinner guest, that he was soon in great demand. He possessed
accomplishments, too, that increased the respect of his masculine
acquaintances. For instance, he displayed a proficiency at golf quite
unusual in men of athletic training, and they argued that any man who
could do par whenever he felt like it must be either a professional or a
person of limitless leisure. And limitless leisure means limitless
funds.</p>

<p>Gray studiously maintained his air of financial mystery; he was in and
out of offices, always purposeful, always in a hurry, but always with
sufficient time to observe the strictest niceties of polite behavior. It
was a part of his plan to create an atmosphere of his own, to emphasize
his knack for quick, decisive, well- calculated action. The money he
received from Coverly enabled him to maintain the posture he had assumed;
he spent it with his usual prodigality, receiving little direct benefit,
but making each dollar look like four. Extravagance with him was an art,
money ran out of his pockets like water, but although he was already in a
position to borrow, he did not do so. He merely marked time, deriving a
grim amusement at the way his popularity grew as his currency dwindled.
It was a game, enjoyable so long as it lasted. Egotistical he knew
himself to be, but it was a conscious fault; to tickle his own vanity
filled him with the same satisfaction a cat feels at having its back
rubbed, and he excused himself by reasoning that his deceit harmed
nobody. Meanwhile, with feline alertness he waited for a mouse to
appear.</p>

<p>He was relieved one day to receive a telegram from Gus Briskow asking
him to meet Ma and Allie at the evening train and &ldquo;get them a
hotel.&rdquo; He managed to secure a good suite at the Ajax, and it was
with genuinely pleasurable anticipation that he drove to the station.</p>

<p>Dismay smote him, however, at first sight of the new arrivals. Ma
Briskow resembled nothing so much as one of those hideous &ldquo;crayon
enlargements&rdquo; he had seen in farmhouses&mdash;atrocities of an art
long dead&mdash;for she was clad in an old-fashioned basque and skirt of
some stiff, near-silk material, and her waist, which buttoned far down
the front and terminated in deep points, served merely to roof over but
not to conceal a peculiarity of figure which her farm dress had
mercifully hidden. Gray discovered that Ma's body, alas! bore a quaint
resemblance in outline to a gourd. A tiny black bonnet, with a wide
surcingle of ribbon tied under her chin, was ornamented with a sort of
centerpiece built of rigid artificial fruit and flowers. Her hair, in
brave defiance of current styles, was rolled into a high pompadour.
Beneath that pompadour, however, her face was aglow with interest and her
eyes gleamed almost as brightly as did the brand-new lavalliere and the
bar pin with its huge six-carat center diamond.</p>

<p>If the mother's appearance was unusual, the daughter's was startling,
what with her size and the barbaric latitude of color she had indulged
herself in. Allegheny's get-up screamed. In the general store at Cisco,
whence it had originated, it had doubtless been considered a sport
costume, for there was a skirt of huge blue and white checks, a crepe
waist of burnt orange, and over that a vegetable-silk sweater, with the
broadest, greenest stripes Gray had ever seen. A violent, offensive
green, it was; and the sweater was too tight. Her hat was large and
floppy and adorned with preposterous purple blooms; one of her hands was
gloved, but upon the other she wore her splendid solitaire. She
&ldquo;shone&rdquo; it, as a watchman shines his flashlight.</p>

<p>They were enough to daunt a stronger man than Calvin Gray, these two.
He could well imagine the sensation he and they would create in the lobby
of the modish Ajax. But his first surprise was succeeded by a gentle
pity, for Ma Briskow greeted him rapturously, and in Allegheny's somber
eyes he detected a look of mingled suffering and defiance. She knew,
somehow or other, that she was conspicuous, grotesque, and her soul was
in agony at the knowledge. Before he had spoken a half dozen words to
her, Gray realized that this girl was in torture, and that it had
required a magnificent courage on her part to meet him as bravely as she
did. He was ashamed of himself; amusement at their expense did him no
credit, and he determined to relieve her pain and to help her attain the
likeness of other women if it was in his power to do so. It was a tribute
to his inherent chivalry that he rose to the occasion and welcomed the
women with a cordiality that warmed their hearts. Enthusiastically he
took charge of Ma's lunch basket; against Allie's muttered protest he
despoiled her of her bilious, near-leather suitcase; he complimented them
upon their appearance and showed such pleasure at seeing them again that
they surrendered gratefully to him. By the time he had them in a taxicab
they were as talkative as a pair of magpies.</p>

<p>Of course, they had to know all about the holdup, and his manner of
telling the story made them feel that they had played an important part
in it. Arrived at the hotel, he swept them along with him so swiftly that
they had no time in which to become dismayed or self-conscious, and
finally he deposited them in their rooms quite out of breath and quite
delighted. He left them palpitating with excitement at the wonders he
proposed unfolding for them on the morrow.</p>

<p>Allie answered his phone call about eight o'clock the next
morning.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ready for breakfast?&rdquo; he inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, we et at daylight,&rdquo; she told him, in some
astonishment. &ldquo;I been ridin' since then.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed! Putting roses in your cheeks, eh? With whom did you
go?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, one of the elevator men.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;B&mdash;but&mdash;&rdquo; Gray sputtered, deeply shocked.
&ldquo;Why, Miss Briskow, they're <i>negroes!</i> Riding with a nigger!
My heavens! Where did you go?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nowhere. Just up and down.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was a moment before the man could speak, then he said, in a queerly
repressed voice: &ldquo;That&mdash;is quite different. I'll run down and
get a bite and join you in no time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Seems awful funny not to have any housework to do in the
morning,&rdquo; Ma Briskow confessed, as they left the Ajax. &ldquo;A
hotel would spoil me in no time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I couldn't keep her from makin' up the beds,&rdquo; Allie
announced.</p>

<p>Gray took the elder woman's hand in his and scolded her gently.
Smilingly, he lectured her on the art of doing nothing, and voiced some
elemental truths about living.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mr. Briskow has but one idea, and that is to surround you two,
and Buddy, with the advantages and luxuries you have been denied,&rdquo;
he reminded her. &ldquo;You owe it to him to get the most out of your
money, and you mustn't begin by making hotel beds and robbing some poor
woman of her livelihood. Not one person in ten really knows how to live,
for it isn't an easy task, and the saddest thing about the newly rich is
that they won't learn. They refuse to enjoy their wealth. I propose to
help you good people get started, if you'll permit me. It is not with
contrition, but with pride, that I recommend myself to you as one of the
greatest living authorities upon extravagance, idleness, and the minor
vices of the prosperous.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The mother nodded, a bit vaguely. &ldquo;That's kind of like Pa talks.
He sent you this, and says to tell you it's our first spendin' spree and
act accordin'.&rdquo; From her pocket she drew a folded check, made out
in blank to Calvin Gray and signed by Gus Briskow.</p>

<p>&ldquo;So! I assume that I'm to pay the bills. Very well. The sky is
the limit, eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's it. Of course, I don't need anything for
myself&mdash;this dress and bunnit are good enough&mdash;but Allie's got
to have new fixin's, from the inside out. I s'pose her things'll eat up
the best part of a hundred dollars, won't they?&rdquo; The speaker's look
of worried inquiry bespoke a lifetime of habitual economy.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We're not going to buy what you <i>need</i>, but what you want.
You're going to have just as many pretty things as Allie.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ma was panic-stricken at this suggestion. When Gray insisted she
demurred; when he told her that one nice dress would cost at least a
hundred dollars, she confessed:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, I don't s'pose all the clo's I've had since I was married
cost much more 'n that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll spend at least a thousand on you before noon,&rdquo; he
laughed.</p>

<p>Mrs. Briskow gasped, she rolled her eyes and fanned herself; she
appealed to Allegheny, but it was evident that the latter had kept her
eyes open and had done some thinking, for she broke out, passionately:
&ldquo;You make me sick, Ma! It'll take all Pa can afford, and then some,
to make us look like other people. I never knew how plumb ridic'lous we
are till&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not that,&rdquo; Gray protested.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You <i>know</i> we're ridic'lous,&rdquo; she cried, fiercely.
&ldquo;We're a couple of sow's ears and all Pa's royalties can't make us
into silk purses. But&mdash;mebbe we can manage to look like silk, if we
spend enough.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray determined that the girl should not be disappointed if he could
help it, so he went directly to the head saleswoman of the first store,
and asked her to assume the role of counselor where circumstance
compelled him to relinquish it, explaining that in addition to hats,
gowns, shoes, and the like, both Ma and Allie needed a variety of
confidential apparel with which he had only the vaguest acquaintance.
Although the woman agreed to his request, he found before long that his
trust in her had been misplaced. Not only did she threaten to take
advantage of her customers' ignorance, but also, to Gray's anger, she
displayed a poorly veiled contempt for and amusement at his charges.</p>

<p>Allegheny was not long in feeling this. She had entered the
establishment aquiver with hope and anticipation. This was her great
adventure. She was like a timid child, enraptured at sight of its first
tinseled Christmas tree; to have that ecstacy spoiled, to see the girl's
tenderest sensibilities wounded by a haughty clerk, enraged the man who
played Santa Claus. Abruptly he resumed charge of the Briskow purchases,
and it gave him a pang to note how Allegheny ran to him with her hurt, as
it were.</p>

<p>But matters did not progress as well as he had expected. Allie's
disappointment at the death of her dream she hid under an assumption of
indifference; she merely pawed over the pretty things shown her and
pretended to ignore the ridicule she and her mother excited. But her face
was stony, her eyes were hopeless, miserable.</p>

<p>For once in his life Calvin Gray was at a loss, and knowledge of that
fact caused him to chew savagely at his cigar. To his bewildered
companions he remained enthusiastic, effervescent, but behind their backs
he glowered at the well-groomed customers and cursed the snickering
models who paraded their wares. Engaged thus, he became aware of a
stranger who looked on at the pitiful little comedy without amusement.
She was a pretty thing. Gray stared at her openly and his scowl vanished.
When she moved away, he made a sudden decision, excused himself, and
followed her.</p>

<p>He was gratified at the manner in which she accepted his breathless
apology for speaking to her, at the poise with which she listened while
he made himself and his companions known to her and explained the plight
in which he found himself.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You can save the reason of a distracted man and add to the
happiness of two poor, bewildered women, if you will,&rdquo; he
concluded, earnestly. &ldquo;It isn't a funny situation; it's
tragic.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you wish me to do?&rdquo; the girl inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's a lot to ask, I know, but won't you help them buy the
things they need and save them from further humiliation at the hands of
these highbrow clerks and lowbrow customers? I&mdash;I want to punch
somebody in the nose.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I was sure you did. That is what attracted my
attention.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are a person of taste, if you will pardon a perfectly
obvious compliment from a total stranger, and they need such a woman's
guidance. But they need, even more, a little bit of feminine tact and
sympathy. Look!&rdquo; He showed Gus Briskow's blank check. &ldquo;The
whole store is theirs, if they wish it. Think what that ought to mean to
two poor starved creatures who have never owned enough clothing to wad a
shotgun.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The girl is stunning. All she needs is the right sort of things
&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Impulsively Gray seized the speaker's hand. &ldquo;I <i>knew</i>
it!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;I can choose gowns for her, but how can I
tell her the sort of&mdash;well, corsets she ought to wear? How can I
select for her things a bachelor is presumed to know nothing about?
Haven't you an hour or two in which to play Fairy Godmother?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have all day,&rdquo; the young woman confessed. &ldquo;I
merely came in to yearn over the pretty things.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;O messenger from Heaven!&rdquo; he cried, more hopefully.
&ldquo;Would it appear presumptuous if I asked you, in return for this
favor, to select the very prettiest gown in this shop for your very
own?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The offer was refused pleasantly, but firmly. &ldquo;I'd be paid ten
times over by the fun of spending oodles of money even if it were not my
own. But would they consent to have a stranger&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If you will permit a tiny deceit, I'm sure they will. I shall
burden my conscience with a white lie and pretend that you are a friend
to whose judgment I have appealed. My poor conscience is scandalously
overburdened, but&mdash;that girl is suffering!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I thought they must have struck oil. I've seen others like
them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Without further ado, Gray hurried his new acquaintance back to the
dress department, then, in his easiest manner, introduced her to the
Briskows. She flashed him a look of amusement as he glibly made her known
as &ldquo;Miss Good.&rdquo; He had invited Miss Good to join their picnic
immediately upon hearing that Ma and Allie were coming to Dallas, and she
had been overjoyed. Miss Good, as they could see, possessed unerring good
taste, but what was more, she had a real genius for finding bargains. As
a bargain hunter Miss Good was positively unique.</p>

<p>Ma Briskow pricked up her ears at this, soon she and the newcomer had
their heads together, and within a few minutes Gray realized that his
experiment was a success. The stranger possessed enthusiasm, but it was
coupled with common sense, and before her sunshiny smile even Allegheny's
sullen distrust slowly began to thaw. She drew Gray aside finally, and
said: &ldquo;It's all right. They're perfect dears, and, now, the best
thing you can do is to take yourself off.&rdquo;</p>

<p>He agreed promptly, but cautioned her against economy. &ldquo;That
bargain-hunting remark was only a bait. Remember, Gus Briskow wants them
to have everything, and be everything they should be, regardless of
expense. Why, both he and I would like nothing better than to have
Allegheny look like you, if that were possible.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Miss Good eyed the speaker curiously. &ldquo;Who are you?&rdquo; she
inquired. &ldquo;What are these nesters to you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I am nobody. They were kind to me and I'm interested in their
future.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Are you a fortune hunter, Mr. Gray?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I am.&rdquo; Gray's face instantly lighted. &ldquo;I am the
most conscienceless fortune hunter you ever met, but&mdash;I am hunting
my own fortune, not Allie Briskow's.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You needn't laugh. She's very&mdash;unusual and&mdash;But I
dare say you wouldn't tell me, anyhow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If I have excited your curiosity, I am delighted,&rdquo; Gray
declared. &ldquo;Please let me return at lunch time and gratify it. I
promise to talk upon that subject which every man can discuss to best
advantage&mdash;himself&mdash;and I pledge myself not to ask one single
question about you, Miss Good. Not one&mdash;&rdquo; He bowed
ceremoniously over her hand. &ldquo;Although, as you can imagine, I'm
dying to ask a thousand.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_9">CHAPTER VIII</a></h3>

<p>The luncheon hour was long in arriving, and when it did come around
Calvin Gray regretted that he had elected to play a game of make-believe
with &ldquo;Miss Good,&rdquo; for she rigidly held him to his promise,
and however adroitly he undertook to ascertain who or what she was, she
foiled him. It gave her a mischievous pleasure to evade his carefully
laid conversational traps, and what little he learned came from Ma
Briskow. Briefly, it amounted to this: Miss Good was what the elder woman
called &ldquo;home folks,&rdquo; but she had been schooled in the East.
Moreover, she was in the oil business. This last bit of intelligence
naturally intrigued the man, and he undertook to gain further
illumination, but only to have the girl pretend that he knew all about
it. He accepted this checkmate with the best possible grace, but revenged
himself by assuming the airs and privileges of a friend more intimate
even than Miss Good had implied, a pretense that confused and even
annoyed her. For some reason this counterfeit pleased him; it was
extremely agreeable even to pretend a close acquaintance with this
girl.</p>

<p>The luncheon went off gaily enough, then Gray was again banished with
instructions to return at closing time.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You took a mean, a malicious advantage of an offer intended
only to spare your feelings. And you haven't any,&rdquo; he told Miss
Good when they had a chance for a word alone.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have no feelings?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;None. Or you'd see that I'm perishing of curiosity.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She shook her head, and her blue eyes laughed at him provokingly.
&ldquo;Curiosity is fatal only to cats. It is good for people.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I shall find out all about you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;By cross-examining the Briskows, perhaps.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;But they're waiting to have you tell them what you know. I've
seen to that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If they ask any questions, I'll invent a story. I'll act
confused, self-conscious. I'll make them think you are a much dearer
friend than I have pretended, so far; dearer, even, than I can hope you
ever will be.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That wouldn't be fair.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There are occasions when everything is fair. Perhaps these
store people know something&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing whatever.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then, for Heaven's sake, release me from my pledge!&rdquo; Gray
spoke desperately. &ldquo;When I return, permit me to ask those thousand
questions, and what others occur to me. Won't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The girl pondered this request briefly, then smiled. &ldquo;Very well.
If you are still curious, when you see me, I'll tell you who I
am.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A bargain! I'll be back early.&rdquo; More seriously, Gray
declared: &ldquo;I must tell you right now how perfectly splendid I think
you are. You have completely renewed my belief in human kindness, and I'm
sure your name must be Miss Good.&rdquo;</p>

<p>But a disappointment awaited Calvin Gray when, late that afternoon, he
returned to the store. Miss Good had gone. At first he refused to believe
Ma Briskow's statement, but it was true: she had disappeared as quietly
and as unobtrusively as she had appeared, and, what was more annoying,
she had left no word whatever for him. This was practical joking, for a
certainty, and Gray told himself that he abhorred practical jokes. It was
a jolt to his pride to have his attentions thus ignored, but what irked
him most was the fact that he was stopped, by reason of his deceit, from
making any direct inquiries that might lead to a further acquaintance
with the girl.</p>

<p>Mrs. Briskow, however, was in no condition either to note his dismay
or to volunteer information upon any except one subject; to wit, corns.
Human hearts were of less concern to her, for the time being, than human
feet, and hers were killing her. She began a recital of her sufferings,
as intimate, as agonizing, and as confidential as if Gray were a
practicing chiropodist. What she had to say about tight shoes was bitter
in the extreme; she voiced a gloomy conviction that the alarming increase
in suicides was due to bunions. The good woman confessed that she dearly
loved finery and had bought right and left with reckless extravagance,
but all the merchandise in this department store was not worth the
anguish she had endured this day. With her stiff little bonnet tilted
carelessly over her wrinkled forehead, she declared emphatically that she
would gladly swap all her purchases at this moment for a tub of hot
water.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where is Allie?&rdquo; Gray inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lord knows! She's som'eres around bein' worked over by a couple
of women. Gettin' her hair washed an' her finger nails cured an' I dunno
what not. Mercy me! The things Miss Good had 'em do to her! An' the money
we've spent! Allie's gone hog wild.&rdquo; The complaint ended in a
stifled moan induced perhaps by some darting pain, then without further
ado Ma Briskow unbuttoned one shoe and removed it. &ldquo;Whew!&rdquo;
She leaned back in her chair, wiggled her stockinged toes, and feebly
fanned herself. &ldquo;But wait till you see her. I can't scarcely
reco'nize my own flesh an' blood. I never seen such a change in a human
person.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray pretended to listen as the good woman babbled on, but he was
thinking about the girl who had disappeared. He was surprised at the
keenness of his chagrin. He had seen Miss Good but a short time, and she
had made no effort whatever to excite his interest; nevertheless, she
remained a tantalizingly vivid picture in his mind. It was
extraordinary.</p>

<p>So engrossed was he in his thoughts that he did not notice Allegheny
Briskow until she stood close beside him. Then, indeed, he experienced a
shock, for it was difficult to recognize in this handsome, modish young
woman the awkward, ill-dressed country girl he had seen at noon. Allie
was positively stunning. She was completely transformed from the soles of
her well-shod feet to the tip of her French coiffure, and what was more
astonishing, she had lost much of her self-consciousness and carried
herself with a native grace that became her well.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, <i>Allie!</i>&rdquo; Gray exclaimed. &ldquo;You're
wonderful! Let me see you.&rdquo; He stood off and gazed at her while she
revolved before him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sakes alive! Who'd ever s'pose you'd look like
<i>that!</i>&rdquo; the mother exclaimed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Miss Good told me I'd look nice, but I didn't believe her. Do
I?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're wonderful, Allie.&rdquo; Gray said it with
conviction.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Honest? You ain't laughin' at me?&rdquo; The amazon's voice
quavered.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Can't you see? Look at yourself. I'm proud of you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;She said&mdash;&rdquo; Allegheny twisted her hands, she
cast an appealing glance at her mother, but the latter was staring at her
in open amazement, slowly nodding her head and clucking.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Tse! Tse! Tse!&rdquo; It was an approving cluck, and it had a
peculiar effect upon the girl. Allegheny's tears started, she turned
suddenly and hid her face in her hands.</p>

<p>Gray crossed quickly to her side, saying: &ldquo;There! We've overdone
it the first day, and you're tired.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I <i>ain't</i> tired.&rdquo; His sympathy brought audible sobs;
the girl's shoulders began to heave.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, <i>I</i> am,&rdquo; the mother complained. &ldquo;I'm
wore to the bone. Allie! You dry up an' stop that snivelin' so we kin go
home and I kin let my feet swell, an' scream.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're not too tired, I hope, to have dinner with Allie and me
in the big dining room at the Ajax?&rdquo; Gray said, gayly.
&ldquo;You'll be all right after an hour's rest, and&mdash;'I want to
show her off, if her nose isn't too red.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I 'ain't seen that girl cry in ten years,&rdquo; Ma declared,
in mingled wonderment and irritation. &ldquo;Why, she didn't cry when
Number One blowed in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie spoke between her sobs. &ldquo;There wasn't nothin' to cry for,
then. But&mdash;Miss Good said I&mdash;I'd look jest as purty as other
folks when I got fixed up. An' <i>he</i> says&mdash;I do.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray decided that all women are vain. Nevertheless, it surprised him
to discover the trait so early in Allegheny Briskow.</p>

<p>It was on the second day thereafter that Gus Briskow appeared at the
hotel. He came unexpectedly, and he still wore his rough ranch clothes.
After an hour or more spent with his wife and daughter, he went down to
Gray's room and thanked him for the assistance he had rendered the two
women.</p>

<p>Followed a few moments of desultory conversation, then he put an
abrupt question: &ldquo;Mr. Gray, you're a rich man, ain't
you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;am so considered.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! Dunno's I'm glad or sorry.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed! What difference can it make to you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A lot. It's like this: my boy Buddy has took a turrible shine
to you, an' he can't talk about nothin' else. I was sort of
hopin'&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buddy's ignerunt. He can read an' write an' figger some, but
he's got about the same company manners as a steer, an' he's skeered of
crowds. When he sees strangers he's liable to charge 'em or else throw up
his head an' his tail an' run plumb over a cliff. He'd ought to go to
school, but he says he's too big, an' he'd have to set with a lot of
little children. Him an' Allie's alike, that way&mdash;it r'ars 'em up on
their hind feet to be laughed at.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Get a tutor for them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A what?&rdquo; When Gray had explained the meaning of the word,
Mr. Briskow's face cleared. &ldquo;That's what I figgered on, but I
didn't know what you called 'em. That's why I'm sorry you're so well off.
Y' see I'd of paid you anything&mdash;I'd of doubled whatever you're
gettin'&mdash;&rdquo; The speaker raised a hopeful gaze; he paused as if
to make sure that his hearer was beyond temptation. &ldquo;I thought
mebbe him and you'd like to travel some&mdash;go to furrin
places&mdash;see the hull world. I kin afford it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Thank you for the compliment, but&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I got some big deals on, an' Buddy's got to learn enough so's
to hang onto what's comin' to him an' Allie. He needs a man like you to
learn him, an' be an example. It would be a payin' job, Mister
Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was in a voice graver than usual that the younger man spoke:
&ldquo;Briskow, you're sensible enough to understand plain talk. I'm not
a fit man to teach Buddy what he ought to know. In fact, I'm about the
worst person you could select.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How so?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Because I'm a good deal of a&mdash;rotter. I couldn't permit
Buddy to make a mess of his life, such as I've made of mine.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The father sighed. &ldquo;I s'pose you know, but&mdash;Well, I'm
disapp'inted. But it wasn't hully on that account I come to Dallas. Ma
told me over the telephone how nice you been an' what you done for her
'n' Allie, so I says to myself I'll square things by givin' him a chance
to make some money.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray stirred slightly in his chair and regarded the speaker more
keenly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;When oil come in at Ranger, nobody thought it would get out our
way, but Ma had a dream&mdash;a lot of dreams&mdash;about oil on our
farm, so I got an outfit to come there an' drill. Folks thought we was
crazy, and we didn't expect they'd find much, ourselves&mdash;a few bar'l
a day would of looked big&mdash;but I allus had ambitions to be good an'
rich, so I got options on quite a bit of acreage. It didn't take no money
at the time, 'cause land was what people had most of. Along with the
rest, there's a hundred an' sixty right next to ours&mdash;hill stuff
that wouldn't feed a goat. It's wuth a lot of money now, but the option's
'most run out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;When does it expire?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Saturday.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's to-morrow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gus Briskow nodded. &ldquo;It's cheap at a thousand dollars an acre,
an' it costs two hundred.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course you'll take it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nope.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Per one thing, I got a lot of other land just as good an' mebbe
better, an' I been takin' it up out of the royalties that come in. We got
enough sure money in sight to do us, but I promised Ma to play safe,
an'&mdash;we can't take everything. You kin have that option, Mister
Gray, for nothin'. You kin sell the lease inside of a week an' make fifty
thousand dollars, or you kin hold it an' make mebbe a million. All it'll
cost you is thirty-two thousand dollars. I don't make a cent out of
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Thirty-two thousand dollars! Not much, is it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It ain't nothin' to a man like you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray nodded and smiled queerly as he thanked the nester, then from his
pockets he removed several crumpled wads of currency and a handful of
silver. These he counted before saying: &ldquo;What capital I have is
entirely liquid&mdash;it's all in cash. There is eighty-seven dollars and
forty-three cents. It is every dollar in the world that I
possess.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Huh?&rdquo; Gus Briskow's bright eyes searched the smiling
countenance before him. &ldquo;You're&mdash;jokin'. I thought you said
you was rich.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I am rich. I don't owe a nickel, and won't, until my hotel bill
is due, day after to-morrow. I'm in full possession of all my faculties.
I'm perfectly healthy and cheerful. I know men who would pay a million
dollars for my health alone, and another million to enjoy my frame of
mind. That's two million&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well&mdash;doggone <i>me</i>!&rdquo; There was a pause, then
the speaker brightened. &ldquo;Mebbe you'll take Buddy, after all? You
kin set your own wages.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray shook his head. &ldquo;There are two good reasons why I couldn't
accept, even if I wished. I've told you one; I'm too fond of you Briskows
to risk ruining Buddy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's the other one?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A purely personal reason. I have a definite something to do
here in Texas. Before I can accomplish it, I shall have to make a lot of
money, but that I shall do easily. I make money rapidly when I
start.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You gotta git goin' afore long.&rdquo; Briskow allowed his eyes
to rove about the spacious Governor's suite. &ldquo;'Specially with only
eighty-seven forty&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That is nearly eighty-seven dollars more than I had when I
arrived. Three weeks ago I was an utter stranger here; to-day I know
everybody worth knowing in a business way, and some of them are my
friends.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If you could learn Buddy to make friends like
that&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>But Gray raised his hand. &ldquo;I derive a certain amusement from my
own peculiar characteristics and capabilities, but I should detest them
in another.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, you sure need money, and&mdash;I kin he'p you
out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Thank you, but I sha'n't borrow. If the time were not so short,
I could probably turn this lease you so kindly offered me. But something
else will happen along.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Briskow sighed. &ldquo;I could of sold it myself&mdash;thought I had
it sold to a bunch from Wichita, but they tricked me. I offered it the
day you was at our house for eighty thousand and Nelson more 'n half
agreed to&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Who?</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>Briskow looked up at the tone of this inquiry. &ldquo;One of the
fellers from Wichita Falls. I s'pose he knowed the option was about run
out; anyhow, he's been holdin' me off from day to day till it's too late
now fer me to&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What is his name?&rdquo; Gray broke in, sharply. &ldquo;Name's
Nelson. Bell Nelson's son. Bell's hard-boiled, but&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Henry Nelson?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray rose from his chair and strode swiftly to the window. He stood
there staring down into the street for a moment before saying, curtly,
&ldquo;Go on!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You know them Nelsons?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know&mdash;Henry.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's hard-boilder 'n his old man. They got a lot o' money
behind 'em&mdash;too much money to act like he done with me. I sure hate
to see him git that Evans lease for next to nothin', after the way he
done. I'd call it cheat-in', but&mdash;well, I can't han'le
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The man at the window wheeled suddenly and his face was white, his
brows were drawn down. &ldquo;By God!&rdquo; he cried, tensely. &ldquo;He
<i>won't</i> get it. Where's that option?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I got it right here.&rdquo; Briskow handed over a paper.
&ldquo;An' I got the hull title abstrack, too. Had it all ready for
Nelson.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When he had swiftly scanned the document, Gray said: &ldquo;This deal
means little to you, Briskow, but it means much to me, and I'll make it
worth something to both of us. At first I thought the time was too short,
but&mdash;I work best when I work fast. You've had your chance and
failed. Now then, step aside and let a man run who knows how.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mr. Roswell, president of the bank where Gray had first made himself
known, was a shrewd, forceful man who had attained a position in business
and arrived at a time of life when he could well afford to indulge his
likes and his dislikes. Those likes and dislikes were strong, for his was
a positive character. As is the case with most successful men who pride
themselves upon their cold caution and business acumen&mdash;and Mr.
Roswell did so pride himself&mdash;he really was a person of impulse, and
intuition played a much larger part in his conduct of affairs than he
would have acknowledged. Such people make mistakes, but they also make
friends; occasionally they read character wrong, but they inspire
loyalty, and big institutions are founded upon friendship and loyalty as
well as upon stability and fair dealing.</p>

<p>Roswell had liked Gray upon their first meeting, and that liking had
deepened. Owing to that fact, he had neglected to secure a report upon
him, assuring himself that there was always time for such formalities. He
was cordial to-day when Gray strode into his office bringing Gus Briskow
with him.</p>

<p>The banker listened with interest to what he was told, then he studied
the map that Briskow spread upon his desk showing the location of his own
and other near-by wells.</p>

<p>&ldquo;That looks like a sure thing,&rdquo; Roswell said, finally.
&ldquo;As sure as anything in oil can be. What is on your
mind?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd like to get the opinion of the bank's oil expert,&rdquo;
Gray told him.</p>

<p>This was a matter easily disposed of; the expert was summoned and he
rendered a prompt opinion. He knew the property; he considered it a cheap
lease at a thousand dollars an acre. It was proven stuff and within
thirty days it would probably treble in value. When he had gone, the
banker smiled.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, Gray,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;I knew you'd land something
good. You're a hustler. You'll make a fortune out of that
land.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray handed him Gus Briskow's option, and the assignment thereof, the
ink upon which was scarcely dry. &ldquo;There's the joker. It expires
to-morrow night and&mdash;it will go to the Nelsons. They've
double-crossed Mr. Briskow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then don't let them get away with it. Take it
yourself.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is now three o'clock and this is the golfing season in New
York,&rdquo; Gray told him. &ldquo;I couldn't reach my&mdash;associates
and get any action before Monday.&rdquo; &ldquo;No funds of your own
available?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not enough, at such short notice.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That lease is worth one hundred and sixty thousand dollars,
isn't it?&rdquo; The banker nodded. &ldquo;I'm going to sell it before
six o'clock for&mdash;eighty thousand. I know people here who will take
it, but I've come first to you. Get together a little syndicate right
here in the bank, and buy it. I'll agree to take it off your hands within
thirty days at one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. In other words, it
is worth to me eighty thousand dollars to have you carry it for a
month.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is your guaranty any good?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That is for you to determine. Assume that it is not, and I'll
better my first offer. I'll undertake to sell off the land in twenties
right here in Dallas, double your money, and divide the profits
thereafter with you. It is a safe speculation and a quick one. You know I
can put it through.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mr. Roswell considered briefly before replying. &ldquo;There's no use
denying that we've made money on deals like this&mdash;everybody has. So
it's nothing new. There's a big play on Ranger stuff and we couldn't
lose. But I know nothing about you except the little you've told me. When
I go into a deal I put my trust more in the man than the
proposition.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And I trust my own judgment of human character more than that
of strangers,&rdquo; Gray said, quickly. &ldquo;So do you. Thirty days is
a long time with me, and the oil business is just my speed. Permit me to
remind you that time is flying and that I have given myself only three
hours in which to turn this property. I intend to beat Nelson, and apply
that beating on account of an old score. This is more than a mere
business deal.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I like your energy,&rdquo; the banker confessed, &ldquo;and I'm
inclined to bet some of my own money on you. Now&rdquo;&mdash;he pushed a
button on his desk&mdash;&ldquo;let's see if there are any others here
who feel as I do.&rdquo; It was early evening when Gus Briskow returned
to his wife's and his daughter's rooms at the Ajax. He slipped in quietly
and sank into a chair.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mercy me! I thought you was run over,&rdquo; Ma Briskow
exclaimed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I feel like I was,&rdquo; the nester declared, with a grin.
&ldquo;Say! Mister Gray sold the Evans lease an'&mdash;we got more money
than ever.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then mebbe you can afford a new suit,&rdquo; Allie told him.
&ldquo;You look like sin.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Her father nodded, but his mind was full of the incidents of that
afternoon and he began at once to recount them. He told the story badly,
but in a language that the women understood. He had not gone far,
however, when the girl interrupted him to exclaim:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Wait! Why, Pa! You mean to say Mister Gray 'ain't got no
money?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He had less 'n a hundred dollars. An' him livin' here like a
king with everybody bowin' an' scrapin'!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ignoring the effect upon Allie of this intelligence, he continued his
recital. &ldquo;All I done was set around while him an' them bank people
talked it over,&rdquo; he said, finally. &ldquo;Then they got their
lawyer in an' he examined the title papers. Seemed like he'd never git
through, but he did, an' they signed some things an' we come out, an'
Mister Gray told me I'd made forty-eight thousand dollars.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Goodness me!&rdquo; Ma Briskow's eyes widened. &ldquo;Why, that
Evans place ain't wuth the taxes.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's more 'n likely wuth a million. But think! Him tellin'
me<i>I'd</i> made forty-eight thousand dollars! It give me a jolt, an' I
says <i>I</i> didn't make it. I told him I'd fell down an' turned the
hull thing over to him. 'It's <i>you</i> that's made forty-eight
thousand,' I says.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>What?</i>&rdquo; Allie inquired, sharply. Then when her
father had repeated himself, she asked with even greater intensity:
&ldquo;Wha'd he say to that? He didn't take it, did he?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He laughed kinda queer an' says all I got to do to give him a
good night's rest is to wire Henry Nelson the deal's closed. An' him with
less 'n a hundred dollars!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie spoke again in great relief. &ldquo;Lord! You give me a
turn.&rdquo; Her expression altered, her lips parted in a slow smile.
&ldquo;So! He's pore, eh? Pore as we was. Well, I declare!&rdquo; She
rose and turned her back upon her father.</p>

<p>&ldquo;No, he ain't pore,&rdquo; Briskow said, irritably. &ldquo;Not
now he ain't. I says it's his deal an' his money, an' we got plenty. An'
I stuck to it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie wheeled suddenly at this announcement. She uttered a cry of
protest; then, &ldquo;What are you talkin' about?&rdquo; she roughly
demanded.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We had some argyment an' I got kinda r'iled. Finally he says if
I feel that way we'll go pardners. He wouldn't listen to nothin' else,
an'&mdash;that's how it stands. He made twenty-four thousand an'
I&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You&mdash;You <i>fool!</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>Gus Briskow looked up with a start to find his daughter standing over
him, her face ablaze, her deep bosom heaving. He stared at her in frank
amazement, doubting his senses. Never had Allegheny used toward him a
word, a tone like this, never had he seen her look as she did at this
moment. He could not believe his eyes, for the girl had become a scowling
fury, and she seemed upon the verge of destroying him with her strong
hands, a task she was amply able to accomplish.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Allie-<i>Allie!</i>&rdquo; the mother gasped. She, too, was
aghast. &ldquo;You &mdash;you're talkin' to your pa!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You give him twenty-four thousan' dollars? <i>Give</i> it to
him? Wha'd you do it for? Wha'd you&mdash;?&rdquo; Allie's voice failed
her completely, she groped at her throat, uttering unintelligible,
animal-like sounds.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, Allie, you're <i>mad!</i> And after all he done for me an'
you,&rdquo; Mrs. Briskow cried, accusingly. &ldquo;You oughter be
ashamed.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! Didn't he make us twenty-four thousan' dollars, where we
wouldn't of got nothin'? An' us rich as we are, an' him broke? I'm
supprised at you.&rdquo; A harsh exclamation burst from the girl&mdash;to
the astonished parents it sounded like an oath, but it could not have
been&mdash;then she swung herself heavily about and rushed blindly into
the next room, slamming the stout metal door behind her with a crash that
threatened to unhinge it.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, I be&mdash;darned!&rdquo; Gus Briskow turned a slack,
empty face upon the partner of his joys. &ldquo;I&mdash;I never s'posed
that girl would turn out&mdash;<i>greedy</i>.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The mother's countenance slowly wrinkled into lines of grief and
worry, she wrung her hands and rocked from side to side. &ldquo;I dunno
what's come over the child,&rdquo; she moaned, tearfully. &ldquo;She
behaves so queer over them silk stockin's an' corsets an' lingeries an'
things that she skeers me. Sometimes I'm afeerd she's goin'
crazy&mdash;or something.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_10">CHAPTER IX</a></h3>

<p>No industry can boast a history more dramatic, more exciting, than
that of oil. From the discovery of petroleum, on through the development
of its usefulness and the vast expansion of its production, the story is
one of intense human interest, and not even the story of mining has
chapters more stirring or more spectacular.</p>

<p>The average man has never stopped to consider how close he is to the
oil business or how dependent he is upon it; from babyhood, when his nose
is greased with vaseline, to the occasion when a motor hearse carries him
on his last journey, there is not often a day when he fails to make use
of mineral oil or some of its by- products. Ocean liners and farmers'
plows are driven by it; it takes the rich man to his office and it cleans
the shopgirl's gloves; it gives us dominion over the air and beneath the
waters of the sea. We live in a mechanical age, and without oil our
bearings would run hot and civilization, as we know it, would stop. It is
the very blood of the earth.</p>

<p>Oil production is a highly specialized industry, and it has developed
a type of man with a type of mind quite as characteristic as the type of
machinery employed in the drilling of wells. The latter, for instance,
appears at first glance to be crude and awkward, but as a matter of fact
it is amazingly ingenious and extremely efficient, and your oil-field
operator is pretty much the same. Nor is there any business in which
practical experience is more valuable. As a result, most of the big oil
men, especially those engaged in production, are graduates of the school
of hard knocks; they are big-fisted, harsh-handed fellows who are as
thoroughly at home on the &ldquo;thribble board&rdquo; of a derrick as at
a desk or a directors' table, and they are quite as colorful as the oil
fields themselves. Their lives are full and vigorous.</p>

<p>Of all the oil excitements, that which occurred in North Texas was
perhaps the most remarkable; at any rate, the world has never witnessed
such scenes as were enacted there. The California gold rush, the great
Alaskan stampede, the diamond frenzies of South Africa and of Australia,
all were epic in their way, but none bred a wilder insanity than did the
discovery of oil in the Red River district.</p>

<p>For one thing, the time was ripe and conditions were propitious for
the staging of an unprecedented drama. The enormous wastage of a world's
war, resulting in a cry for more production, a new level of high prices
for crude, rumors of an alarming shortage of supply, the success of
independent producers, large and small&mdash;all these, and other
reasons, too, caused many people hitherto uninterested to turn their
serious attention to petroleum. The country was prosperous, banks were
bulging with money, pockets were stuffed with profits; poor men had the
means with which to gamble and rich men were looking for quicker gains.
Inasmuch as the world had lived for four years upon a steady diet of
excitement, it was indeed the psychological moment for a spectacular
boom.</p>

<p>The strike at Ranger lit the fuse, the explosion came with the first
gush of inflammable liquid from the Fowler farm at Burkburnett. Then,
indeed, a conflagration occurred, the comprehensive story of which can
never be written, owing to the fact that no human mind could follow the
swift events of the next few tumultuous months, no brain could record it.
Chaos came. Life in the oil fields became a phantasmagoria of ceaseless
action and excitement&mdash;a fantastic stereopticon that changed
hourly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Burk&rdquo; was a sleepy little town, dozing amid parched wheat
fields. The paint was off it; nothing much more exciting than a crop
failure ever happened there. The main topic of conversation was the
weather and, as Mark Twain said, everybody talked about it, but nothing
was done. Within sixty days this soporific village became a roaring
bedlam; every town lot was leased, derricks rose out of chicken runs,
boilers panted in front yards, mobs of strangers surged through the
streets and the air grew shrill with their bickerings. From a distance,
the sky line of the town looked like a thick nest of lattice battle
masts, and at night it blazed like Coney Island.</p>

<p>The black-lime territory farther south had proven too expensive for
individual operators and small companies to handle, but here the oil was
closer to the surface and the ground was easily drilled, hence it quickly
became known as a poor man's pool. Then, too, experienced oil men and the
large companies who had seen town-site booms in other states, kept away,
surrendering the place to tenderfeet and to promoters. Of these,
thousands came, and never was there a harvest so ripe for their
gleaning.</p>

<p>Naturally a little country town like this could not hold the
newcomers, therefore Wichita Falls became their headquarters. Here there
were at least a few hotels and some sort of office quarters&mdash;sheds
beneath which the shearing could take place&mdash;and there the herd
assembled.</p>

<p>Of course, the cougars followed, and, oh, the easy pickings for them!
A fresh kill daily. Warm meat with every meal. Such hunting they had
never known, hence they gorged themselves openly, seldom quarreling among
themselves nor even bothering to conceal the carcasses of their prey. It
was easier to pull down a new victim than to return to the one of the day
before.</p>

<p>Rooming houses slept their guests in relays, canvas dormitories sprang
up on vacant lots, the lobbies of the hotels were packed with shouldering
maniacs until they resembled wheat pits, the streets were clogged with
motor cars, and the sidewalks were jammed like subway platforms. Store
fronts were knocked out and the floor space was railed off into rows of
tiny bull-pen brokers' offices, and in these companies by the hundred
were promoted. Stock in them was sold on the sidewalks by bally-hoo men
with megaphone voices. It seldom required more than a few hours to
dispose of an entire issue, for this was a credulous and an elated mob,
and its daily fare was exaggeration. Stock exchanges were opened up
where, amid frenzied shoutings, went on a feverish commerce in wildcat
securities; shopgirls, matrons, housemaids gambled in shares quite as
wildly as did the unkempt disreputables from the oil fields or the
newcomers spilled out of every train. People trafficked not in oil, but
in stocks and in leases, the values of which were entirely
chimerical.</p>

<p>But this speculative frenzy was by no means local. Burkburnett became
a name to conjure with and there was no lack of conjurers. These latter
spread to the four points of the compass, and the printing presses ran
hot to meet their demands. A flood of money flowed into their pockets.
While this boom was at its height a new pool, vaster and richer, was
penetrated and the world heard of the Northwest Extension of the
Burkburnett field, a veritable lake&mdash;an ocean&mdash;of oil. Then a
wilder madness reigned. Daily came reports of new wells in the Extension
with a flush production running up into the thousands of barrels. There
appeared to be no limit to the size of this deposit, and now the old-line
operators who had shunned the town-site boom bid feverishly against the
promoters and the tenderfeet for acreage. Farms and ranches previously
all but worthless were cut up into small tracts and drilling sites, and
these were sold for unheard-of prices. Up leaped another forest of
skeleton towers some ten miles long and half as wide.</p>

<p>But this was the open range with nothing except the sky for shelter,
so towns were knocked together&mdash;queer, greasy, ramshackle
settlements of flimsy shacks&mdash;and so quickly were they built that
they outran the law, which is ever deliberate. The camps of the
black-lime district, which had been considered hell holes, were in
reality models of order compared with these mushroom cities of raw
boards, tar paper, and tin. Gambling joints, dance halls, and dens more
vicious flourished openly, and around them gathered the scum and the
flotsam that crests a rising tide.</p>

<p>Winter brought the rains, and existence in the new fields became an
ugly and a troublesome thing. Roads there were none, and supplies became
difficult to secure. The surface of the land melted and spinning wheels
churned it; traffic halted, vehicles sank, horses drowned. Between rains
the sun dried the mud, the wind whirled it into suffocating clouds.
Sandstorms swept over the miserable inhabitants; tornadoes, thick with a
burden of cutting particles, harried them until they cursed the fate that
had brought them thither.</p>

<p>But in Wichita Falls, where there was shelter overhead and pavements
underfoot, the sheep shearing proceeded gayly.</p>

<p>Of the men engaged in this shearing business, none, perhaps, had
gathered more wool in the same length of time than the two members of the
firm of McWade &amp;Stoner. Mr. Billy McWade, junior partner, was a man
of wide experience and some accomplishments, but until his arrival at
Wichita Falls he had never made a conspicuous success of any business
enterprise. The unforeseen invariably had intervened to prevent a
killing. Either a pal had squealed, or the postal authorities had
investigated, or a horse had fallen &mdash;anyhow, whenever victory had
perched upon his banner something always had happened to frighten the
bird before its wings were fairly folded.</p>

<p>Mr. McWade had finally determined to wipe off the slate and commence
all over. Accordingly, he had selected a new field, and, in order to make
it a real standing start, he had likewise chosen a new name. He had
arrived at Wichita Falls with one suit of clothes and nothing more,
except an assortment of contusions ranging in color from angry red to
black-and-blue, these same being the direct result of repeated
altercations with roughshod members of a train crew. These collisions
McWade had not sought. On the contrary, when, for instance, outside the
yards at Fort Worth his unobtrusive presence on the blind baggage had
been discovered, he had done his best to avoid trouble. He had explained
earnestly that he simply must leave the city by that particular train.
The circumstances were such that no other train would do at all, so he
declared. When he had been booted off he swung under and rode the trucks
to the next stop. There a man with a lantern had searched him out, much
as a nigger shines the eyes of a possum, and had dragged him forth. He
was dragged forth at the second stop, and again at the third. Finally,
the train was halted far out on a lonely prairie and a large brakeman
with gold teeth and corns on his palms held a knee upon Mr. McWade's
chest until the train started. Ignoring the hoarse warning breathed into
his dusty countenance, along with the odor of young onions, the traveler
argued volubly, but with no heat, that it was vitally necessary to his
affairs that he continue this journey without interruption; then, when
the brakeman rose and raced after the departing train, he sprang to his
feet and outran him. McWade was lithe and nervous and fleet; he managed
to swing under the last Pullman at the same instant his captor reached
its rear platform.</p>

<p>It is probable that a blithe determination even such as this would
have eventually succumbed to repeated discouragements, but at the next
stop, a watering tank, aid came from an unexpected quarter. From the roof
of the car another knight of the road signaled, and thither McWade
clambered, kicking off the clutching hand of his former enemy.</p>

<p>The second traveler was a robust man, deliberate but sure of movement,
and his pockets were filled with nuts and bolts. This ammunition he
divided with his companion, and such was their unerring aim that they
maintained their sanctuary for the remainder of the journey.</p>

<p>On the way in to Wichita Falls the stranger introduced himself as
Brick Stoner. He was a practical oil man, a driller and a sort of
promoter, too. It was his last pro motion, he confided, that had made it
necessary for him to travel in this fashion. He had many practical ideas,
had Mr. Stoner, as, for instance, the use to be made of a stick with a
crook in it or a lath with a nail in the end. Armed thus, he declared, it
was possible for a man on the roof of a sleeping car to pick up a
completely new wardrobe in the course of a night's ride, provided the
upper berths were occupied and the ventilators were open. Mr. Stoner
deeply regretted the lack of such a simple aid, but agreed that it was
better to leave well enough alone.</p>

<p>McWade warmed to his traveling companion, and they talked of many
things, such as money and finance, sudden riches, and ways and means.
This led them back naturally to a discussion of Stoner's latest
promotion; he called it the Lost Bull well, and the circumstances
connected therewith he related with a subtlety of humor rare in a man of
his sorts. The nature of the story appealed keenly to McWade, and it ran
like this: Stoner had been working in the Louisiana gas fields near the
scene of a railroad accident&mdash;three bulls had strayed upon the right
of way with results disastrous to a freight train and fatal to
themselves. After the wreckage had been cleared away, the claim agent
settled with the owner of the bulls and the carcasses were buried in an
adjoining field. This had occurred some time prior to Stoner's arrival;
in fact, it was only by chance that he heard of it.</p>

<p>One day in passing the spot Stoner noticed a slight depression in the
ground, filled with water through which occasional bubbles of gas rose.
Being of an inquisitive turn of mind, he had amused himself with some
experiments and found that the gas was inflammable. Moreover, it gave off
an odor not unlike that of natural gas. It was a phenomenon of
decomposition new to the driller, and it gave him a great idea. He went
to town and very cautiously told of his discovery&mdash;a gas seepage,
with traces of oil. His story caused a sensation, and he led several of
the wealthiest citizens to the spot, then watched them in all gravity
while they ignited the gas, smelled it, tasted the soil. They were
convinced. They appointed Stoner their agent to buy the farm, under
cover, which he did at a nice profit&mdash;to himself. This profit he
spent in riotous living while a rig was being moved upon the ground. Not
until the derrick was up and the crew, in the presence of the excited
stockholders, came to &ldquo;spud in,&rdquo; was the true source of that
gas discovered&mdash;then the enterprise assumed such a bad odor that
bystanders fled and Mr. Stoner was forced to leave the state without his
baggage.</p>

<p>This had been the nature of McWade's and Stoner's meeting; on the roof
of that swaying Pullman they laid the corner stone of their
partnership.</p>

<p>Arrived at Wichita Falls, Stoner went into the field and McWade
obtained employment in a restaurant. It was a position of trust, for upon
him developed the entire responsibility of removing the traces of food
from the used dishes, and drying them without a too great percentage of
breakage. It kept McWade upon his feet, but, anyhow, he could not sit
with comfort, and it enabled him, in the course of a week, to purchase a
change of linen and to have his suit sponged and pressed. This done, he
resigned and went to the leading bank, where he opened an account by
depositing a check drawn upon a Chicago institution for fifty thousand
dollars. McWade made it a practice always to have a few blank checks on
hand. Airily, but in all earnestness, he invited the Texas bank to verify
the check at its convenience.</p>

<p>So many were the strangers in Wichita Falls, so great the rush of new
customers, that the banks had no means of investigating their accounts
except by wiring at their own expense. This was Saturday afternoon, which
gave McWade two days of grace, so he pocketed his new pass and check
books, then mingled with the crowd at the Westland Hotel. He bought
leases and drilling sites, issuing local checks in payment
thereof&mdash;nobody could question the validity of those checks with the
evidence of fifty thousand dollars deposited that very day&mdash;and on
Sunday he sold them. By the time the Wichita Falls bank opened its doors
on Monday morning he had turned his last lease and had made ten thousand
dollars.</p>

<p>A few days later he and Stoner incorporated their first company. This
was at the height of the town-site boom, and within a few hours McWade
had sold the stock. Thereafter prosperity dogged the pair, and before
long they had made reputations for themselves as the only sure-fire
wildcat promoters in town. McWade possessed the gift of sidewalk oratory;
Stoner posed as the practical field man whose word upon prospects was
final. He it was who did the investigating, the &ldquo;experting&rdquo;;
his partner was the bally-hoo.</p>

<p>But competition grew steadily keener, other promoters followed their
lead, and it became necessary to introduce new and original methods of
gathering an audience. Mere vocal persuasiveness did not serve to arrest
the flow of pedestrians, and so McWade's ingenuity was taxed. But he was
equal to the task; seldom did he fail of ideas, and, once he had the
attention of a crowd, the rest was easy.</p>

<p>One morning he and his partner provided themselves with some dice and
several hundred dollars in gold coin. With these they began shooting
craps on the sidewalk in front of their office. Now gambling was taboo,
hence the spectacle of two expensively dressed, eminently prosperous men
squatting upon their heels with a stack of double eagles before them
caused a sensation, and people halted to witness their impending arrest.
Soon traffic was blocked.</p>

<p>The gamblers remained engrossed in their pastime, as well they could,
having thoughtfully arranged the matter with the policeman on duty;
gravely they breathed upon the cubes; earnestly they called upon
&ldquo;Little Joe,&rdquo; &ldquo;Long Liz,&rdquo; &ldquo;Ada,&rdquo; and
the rest; silently they exchanged their stacks of gold pieces as they won
or lost.</p>

<p>Calvin Gray, but just arrived from Dallas, looked on at the game with
some curiosity, not divining its purpose, until McWade pocketed the dice,
then mounted a box at the curb and began, loudly:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Now, gentlemen, that is one way of making money, but it is a
foolish and a hazardous way. There is a much saner, safer method, and I'm
going to tell you about it. Don't pass on until you hear me, for I have a
most incredible story to relate, and you'll be sorry you missed
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a ripple of appreciative laughter, but the crowd pressed
closer as the orator continued:</p>

<p>&ldquo;You've all heard about these 'doodlebugs' who go around
locating oil with a divining rod, haven't you? And you don't believe in
them. Of course you don't. Neither do I. I can't put any trust in willow
twigs, but&mdash;we'll all admit that there are forces of nature that we
don't understand. Who can explain the principle of magnetic attraction,
for instance? What causes the glowing splendor of the Aurora Borealis?
What force holds the compass needle to the north? What makes a carpet
tack jump onto a magnet like&rdquo;&mdash;the speaker paused and stared
hard at a member of his audience who had passed a humorous remark at his
expense&mdash;&ldquo;just like I'll jump you, stranger, if you don't keep
your trap closed. I say who can read those secrets, who can harness those
forces? The man who can has got the world by the tail and a downhill
pull. Now then, for the plot of my story, and it will pay you to do a
week of listening in the next five minutes. Awhile ago an eminent
scientist, unknown to me or to my partner, Mr. Stoner, came into our
office, which is at your backs, one flight up, second door to the right,
and showed us an electrical device he has been working on for the last
eight years. He claimed he had it perfected and that it would indicate
the presence of oil on the same principle that one mineral attracts
another. 'Oil is a mineral,' said he, 'and I think I've got its magnetic
complement. I believe my invention will work.'</p>

<p>&ldquo;'I'll bet a thousand dollars it won't,' I told him. But what do
you think that pilgrim did? He took me up. Then he bet Stoner another
thousand that I'd made a bad bet.&rdquo; McWade grinned in sympathy with
the general amusement. &ldquo;We arranged a thorough test. We took him,
blindfolded, through the field, and, believe me or not, he called the
turn on forty-three wells straight and never missed it once. Call it a
miracle if you choose, but it cost Brick and me two thousand iron men,
and I've got ten thousand more that says he can do the trick for you.
I'll let a committee of responsible citizens take a dozen five-gallon
cans and fill one with oil and the rest with water and set them in a row
behind a brick wall. My ten, or any part of it, says his electric wiggle
stick will point to the one with the oil. What do you say to that? Here's
a chance for a quick clean-up. Who cares to take me on?&rdquo;</p>

<p>From the edge of the crowd Gray watched the effect of this offer.
Divining rods, he well knew, were as old as the oil industry, but he was
surprised to see that fully half of this audience appeared to put faith
in the claim, and the other half were not entirely skeptical. A man at
his side began reciting an experience of his own.</p>

<p>McWade now introduced the miracle worker himself, and Gray rose on
tiptoe to see him. A moment, then he smiled widely, for the eminent
scientist was none other than Mr. Mallow&mdash;Mallow, a bit pallid and
pasty, as if from confinement, and with eyes hidden behind dark goggles.
With a show of some embarrassment, the inventor displayed his tester, a
sufficiently impressive device with rubber handles and a resistance coil
attached to a dry battery, which he carried in his pocket.</p>

<p>Gray looked on as the comedy was played out. It transpired that
Professor Mallow had tested, among other properties, the newest
McWade-Stoner lease, a company to drill which had just been formed under
the title of &ldquo;The Desert Scorpion,&rdquo; and he really judged from
the behavior of his machine that a remarkable pool underlaid the tract.
He was willing to risk his reputation upon the guaranty that the first
well would produce not less than three thousand barrels a day. He was
interested in the out-come only from a scientific standpoint; he owned
not one single share of stock. Then McWade resumed his sway over the
crowd, and soon shares in &ldquo;The Desert Scorpion&rdquo; were selling
rapidly.</p>

<p>Shortly after lunch, Mallow and the two partners were seated in the
office upstairs, their work done for the day. Another successful
promotion had gone to the credit of McWade and Stoner; all three were in
a triumphal mood. Mallow was recounting a story that had just come to his
ears.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Remember that old silver tip that took a stand in front of the
Owl Drug Store a few days back? He called his company 'The Star of
Hope.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>Stoner nodded. &ldquo;He had a good piece of ground, right adjoining
the Moon Petroleum tract&mdash;three wells down to the sand. I wondered
how he ever got hold of it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He didn't. That's the big laugh. He didn't own that land at
all. He just had himself a map drawn, with the numbers changed. His
ground was a mile away. He sold his stock in two days, thirty-five
thousand shares, then he blew. Some Coal-oil John, who had plunged for
about three shares, got to studying his own map, found there was
something wrong and let up a squawk. But Silver Tip had faded like the
mists of early morn&mdash;thirty-five stronger than he was. Snappy work,
eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>McWade frowned his disapproval. &ldquo;Something ought to be done to
stop those crooks or they'll kill us legitimate promoters. You can't
sting a crowd too often in the same spot.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There came a knock at the door, and in answer to an invitation to
enter it opened. The next instant both McWade and Stoner sat erect in
their chairs, with eyes alert and questioning, for at sight of the
stranger Mallow had leaped to his feet with a smothered exclamation, and
now stood with his back to the desk and with his head outthrust in a
peculiar attitude of strained intensity.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_11">CHAPTER X</a></h3>

<p>&ldquo;Well, well, Mallow!&rdquo; The caller's face broke into an
engaging smile as he crossed the threshold. &ldquo;Still wearing dark
glasses, eh? I'm afraid you didn't heed my instructions.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow spoke huskily, &ldquo;What the hell you doing here?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Following the excitement, merely. I shall open an office and
spend a good deal of my time in Wichita Falls. I hoped I'd find you here,
for this morning I heard you describe your invention and&mdash;admiration
overcame me. I felt constrained to congratulate you upon your scientific
attainments. Marvelous, my dear Doctor! Or is it Professor Mallow?&rdquo;
The speaker laughed heartily. &ldquo;Won't you introduce me to
these&mdash;let us say magnetic forces of nature that you have
discovered?&rdquo; He indicated the two partners.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you want?&rdquo; Mallow barked.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Momentary agitation has robbed our Professor of his habitual
politeness&mdash;a not unusual phenomenon of the preoccupied scientific
mind.&rdquo; These words were directed at McWade and Stoner. &ldquo;My
name is Gray. Perhaps Doctor Mallow has made mention of me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;So you're the lad that threw pepper in his eyes?&rdquo; Brick
Stoner stared at the newcomer with undisguised interest. He rose, as did
McWade. &ldquo;I'll say we've heard of you. Your name's getting as common
as safety-razor blades. You've been cleaning up, haven't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m, moderately.&rdquo; Calvin Gray shook hands with the
promoters, then to the agitated Mallow, who still peered at him
apprehensively, he said: &ldquo;Come, come! Let down your hammer!
Uncoil!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Listen, you!&rdquo; the other burst forth. &ldquo;I beat that
thing out. I'm clean and I don't intend to go back. You're a strong guy
and you got a bunch of kale, and you're a getter, but the taller they
come the harder they fall. You can be had.&rdquo; The speaker was
desperate; his face was flushed with anger, the tone of his voice was
defiant and threatening.</p>

<p>Gray helped himself to a chair, crossed his legs, and lit a cigar.
McWade and Stoner neither moved nor spoke.</p>

<p>&ldquo;My dear Mallow, you wrong me.&rdquo; In the newcomer's voice
there was no longer any mockery. &ldquo;I gave you credit for more
intelligence. We played our little farce and it is done&mdash;the episode
is closed, so far as I am concerned. I supposed you understood that much.
I helped you and I came here to enlist your help.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You helped <i>me</i>?&rdquo; Mallow showed his teeth in a
snarl.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Precisely. Think a moment. Was it not odd that I failed to
appear against you? That the case was never pressed, the prosecution
dropped?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I s'pose you were afraid to go through. Thought I'd get
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray shook his head impatiently. &ldquo;Afraid? Of you? Oh, Mallow!
Had I feared your majestic wrath, do you think I would have arranged for
that doctor to see you every day? And paid his bill? Who, pray, sent in
those good things for you to eat?&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a pause.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I did.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Again there was silence.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;For one thing, I was sorry for you. I really was. I had caused
you and Tony a great deal of suffering, and I cannot bring myself to
inflict actual suffering upon anyone without doing my best to alleviate
it. Then again, I had nothing against you personally. We merely clashed
in the course of&mdash;business.&rdquo; Mallow allowed himself to sink
back upon the desk; he turned his dark goggles upon his friends in a
blind stare of bewilderment.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, I'll be damned!&rdquo; he said, finally.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mallow thought <i>we</i> had helped to spring him.&rdquo; It
was McWade speaking. &ldquo;That's why he beat it up here and that's how
we happened to put him to work.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't get you yet,&rdquo; the man in glasses muttered.
&ldquo;I can't understand why&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's the odds why he done it?&rdquo; Stoner inquired,
sharply. &ldquo;Any man that can squirt my eyes full of tobasco, and me
with a six gun on him, is all right. And him with a bottle of milk duly
made and provided!&rdquo; The field member of the firm slapped his thigh
and laughed loudly. &ldquo;Then to forget the whole fracas and shake
hands on it! That's handsome! Mr. Gray, I'm here to say there's a lot of
boys going to lay off you like you was a cactus.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The object of this commendation was pleased. &ldquo;Gratitude is
rare,&rdquo; he murmured. &ldquo;I thank you. Now then, I was thinking of
making friend Mallow a business proposition, but&mdash;perhaps I can
interest you, also, in doing something for me. I'll pay well.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We're live ones,&rdquo; Stoner asserted.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is business of a confidential nature.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;All the talking we do is on the street. We're promoting
wildcats, but I guess we know as much about the good wells as the big
companies themselves, and when it comes to actual drilling, I've
forgotten more than all these boll weevils will ever learn. What can we
do for you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;For one thing, I wish to hire the brightest oil scout in the
district, but I don't want him, nor anyone else, for the time being, to
suspect that he's working for me. I will double his salary to watch one
operator. Perhaps he could appear to be in your employ? Furthermore, I
intend to do considerable secret buying and selling, and I will need
several dummies&mdash;moral character unimportant. All I insist upon is
absolute loyalty and obedience to my orders.&rdquo;</p>

<p>During the silence that followed, Gray felt the three men staring at
him curiously.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're after big game, I take it?&rdquo; McWade inquired,
mildly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The biggest in these woods.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;One man, did you say?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;One man.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Some&mdash;grudge, perhaps?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Perhaps.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A yacht is too expensive for most men, but they don't burn
money as fast as a grudge.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;This one will take his last dollar&mdash;or mine.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We're a legitimate firm, you know&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray's eyes twinkled as he exclaimed: &ldquo;Exactly! If I have caused
you to infer that I shall employ anything except legitimate means to
effect my purpose, it is my error. At the same time, my proposition is
not one that I could well afford to take to the ordinary, conservative
type of broker. Now then, how about you, Mallow? Would you care to work
for me?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The latter's pale face broke into a grin. &ldquo;I am working for
you,&rdquo; he declared. &ldquo;I've been on your pay roll now for five
minutes. What's more, if it'll save money to croak this certain party and
be done with it, why, maybe that can be arranged, too. My new wiggle
stick may not find oil every crack, but I bet I can make it point to half
a dozen men who&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray lifted an admonitory hand. &ldquo;Patience! It may come to
something like that, but I intend to break him first. Can I arrive at
terms with you gentlemen?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Write your own ticket,&rdquo; McWade declared, and Mr. Stoner
echoed this statement with enthusiasm.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Very well! Details later. Now, I shall give myself the pleasure
of calling upon my man and telling him exactly what I intend
doing.&rdquo; The speaker rose and shook hands with the three precious
scoundrels. When the door had closed behind him McWade inquired:
&ldquo;Now what do you make of that? Going to serve notice on his
bird!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Say! He's the hardest guy I ever saw,&rdquo; Stoner declared,
admiringly. Mallow spoke last, but he spoke with conviction. &ldquo;You
said it, Brick. I had his number from the start. He's a master crook,
and&mdash;it'll pay us all to string with him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Henry Nelson's activities in the oil fields did not leave him much
time in which to attend to his duties as vice-president of his father's
bank, for what success he and Old Bell Nelson had had since the boom
started was the direct result of the younger man's personal attention to
their joint operations. That attention was close; their success, already
considerable, promised to be enormous.</p>

<p>But of late things had not been going well. The turn had come with the
loss of the Evans lease, and that misfortune had been followed by others.
Contrary to custom, it was Henry, and not Bell, who had flown into a rage
at receipt of Gus Briskow's telegram announcing a slip-up in the
deal&mdash;a sale to Calvin Gray; that message, in fact, had affected the
son in a most peculiar manner. For days thereafter he had been nervous,
almost apprehensive, and his nervousness had increased when he secured
the back files of the Dallas papers and read those issues which he had
missed while out of town. Since that time he had made excuses to avoid
trips into the Ranger field and had conducted much of his work over the
telephone. Perhaps for that reason it was that trouble with drilling
crews had arisen, and that one well had been &ldquo;jimmed&rdquo;;
perhaps that explained why a deal as good as closed had gotten away, why
a certain lease had cost fully double what it should have cost, and why
the sale of another tract had not gone through.</p>

<p>Be that as it may, it was this generally unsatisfactory state of
affairs that accounted for the junior Nelson's presence in Wichita Falls
at this time. He and Bell had spent a stormy forenoon together; he was in
an irritable mood when, early in the afternoon, a card was brought into
his office.</p>

<p>Nelson could not restrain a start at sight of the name engraved
thereon; his impulse was to leap to his feet. But the partition
separating him from the bank lobby was of glass, and he knew his every
action to be visible. He allowed himself a moment in which to collect his
wits, then he opened slightly the desk drawer in which he kept his
revolver and gave instructions to admit the caller.</p>

<p>Nelson revolved slowly in his chair; he stared curiously at the
newcomer, and his voice was cold, unfriendly, as he said:</p>

<p>&ldquo;This is quite a surprise, Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not wholly unexpected, I hope.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Entirely! I knew you were in Texas, but I hardly expected you
to present yourself here.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray seated himself. For a moment the two men eyed each other, the one
stony, forbidding, suspicious, the other smiling, suave, apparently
frank.</p>

<p>&ldquo;To what am I indebted for this&mdash;<i>honor?</i>&rdquo;
Nelson inquired, with a lift of his lip.</p>

<p>&ldquo;My dear Colonel, would you expect me to come to Wichita Falls
without paying my respects to my ranking officer, my immediate
superior?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bosh! All that is over, forgotten.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Forgotten?&rdquo; The caller's brows arched incredulously.
&ldquo;You are a busy and a successful man; the late war lives in your
mind only as a disagreeable memory to be banished as quickly as possible,
but &mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Henry Nelson stirred impatiently. &ldquo;Come! Come! Don't let's waste
time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;&mdash;but I retain distinct recollections of our Great
Adventure, and always shall.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That means, I infer, that you refuse to close the
chapter?&rdquo;</p>

<p>As if he had not heard this last remark, Gray continued easily:
&ldquo;It is a selfish motive that brings me here. I come to crow. It is
my peculiar weakness that I demand an audience for what I do; I must
share my triumphs with some one, else they taste flat, and since you are
perhaps the one man in Texas who knows me best, or has the slightest
interest in my doings, it is natural that I come to you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>This guileless confession evoked a positive scowl. &ldquo;What have
you done,&rdquo; the banker sneered, &ldquo;except get your name in the
papers?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have made a large amount of money, for one thing, and I am
having a glorious time. Now that Evans lease, for
instance&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh! You've come to crow about that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not loudly, but a little. I turned the greater part of that
land for as much as five thousand dollars an acre. Odd that we should
have come into competition with each other on my very first undertaking,
isn't it? Fascinating business, this oil. All one needs, to succeed, is
experience and capital.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you know about the business?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing. Absolutely nothing. But I am learning. Luck, I find,
is a good substitute for experience, and I certainly am lucky. As for
capital&mdash;of course I was blessed in having unlimited money with
which to operate. You inferred as much, I take it. Of course! Yes,
Colonel, I have the money touch and everything I have put my hand to has
turned out well.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Nelson burst forth in sudden irritation. &ldquo;What are you getting
at? You know I don't care a damn what you're doing, how much money you're
making&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Strange! Inasmuch as practically every dollar I have made has
come out of you, indirectly.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For a moment Nelson said nothing; then, &ldquo;Just what do you mean
by that?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Exactly what I said. I've cut under you wherever possible. When
you wanted acreage, I bid against you and ran the price up until you paid
more than it was worth. That which I secured I managed&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>You!</i> So&mdash;<i>you're</i> the one back of that!&rdquo;
Nelson's amazement destroyed the insecure hold he had thus far maintained
upon himself. Furiously he cried: &ldquo;You're out to get me! That's it,
eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I am, indeed. And half my satisfaction in doing so will be in
knowing that you know what I'm up to. One needs steady nerves and a sure
touch in any speculative enterprise; he daren't wabble. I'm going to get
your nerve, Nelson. I'm going to make you wabble. You're going to think
twice and doubt your own hunches, and make mistakes, and I&mdash;I shall
take advantage of them. Of course I shall do more than
merely&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, by God! I knew you had the gall of the devil,
but&mdash;See here, Gray, don't you understand what I can do to you? I
don't want any trouble with you, but one word from me
and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course you want no trouble with me; but, alas! my dear
Colonel, you are going to have it. Oh, a great deal of trouble. More
trouble than you ever had in all your life. Either you are going broke,
or I am. You see, I have all the advantage in this little game, for I
will pay a dollar for every dollar I can cause you to lose, and that is
too high a price for you to meet. If I should go bankrupt, which of
course I sha'n't, it would mean nothing to me, while to you&mdash;&rdquo;
The speaker shrugged. &ldquo;You haven't my temperament. No, the
advantage is all mine.&rdquo; Gray's tone changed abruptly. &ldquo;For
your own good remove your hand from the neighborhood of that drawer. I am
too close to you for a gun-play. Good! Now about that one word from you.
You won't speak it, for that would force me to utter nasty truths about
you, and you would suffer more than I, this being your home town where
you are respected. And the truth is nasty, isn't it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Colonel Nelson had grown very white during this long speech. He rose
to his feet and laid one shaking hand upon his desk as if to steady
himself; his tongue was thick in his mouth as he said, hoarsely:</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd like to think you are crazy, but&mdash;you're
not.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Almost a compliment, coming from you!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You think you can beat me&mdash;Want to make it a money fight,
do you? Well, I'll give you a bellyful. Every dollar I've got will go to
smash you&mdash;smash you!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Splendid!&rdquo; Gray was on his feet now and he was smiling
icily. &ldquo;One or the other of us will be ruined, and then perhaps we
can resort to those methods which both of us would enjoy using. Of the
two, I believe I am the more primitive, for the mere act of killing does
not satisfy me. I've come a long way to sink my teeth into you. Now that
they're in, they'll stay. So long as you're willing to fight clean,
I'll&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Are you gentlemen going to talk forever?&rdquo; The inquiry
came in a woman's voice. Both Nelson and Gray turned to behold a smiling,
animated face framed in a crack of the door.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Miss Good!&rdquo; Calvin Gray strode forward, took the girl's
hands in his and drew her over the threshold. &ldquo;My dear Miss Good, I
have rummaged half the state, looking for you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I hope I'm not interrupting.&mdash;I recognized you
and&mdash;&rdquo; The girl turned her eyes to Henry Nelson, but at sight
of his face her smile vanished. &ldquo;Oh, I'm sorry!&rdquo; she cried.
&ldquo;Let me run out&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray held her hands more firmly. &ldquo;Never. Do you think I shall
risk losing you again? Colonel Nelson and I had finished our chat and
were merely exchanging pleasantries.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Cross your heart?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Cross my heart and hope to die.&rdquo; Gray laughed joyously
and again shook the girl's hands.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes. Colonel Gray was just leaving,&rdquo; Nelson managed to
say.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Colonel? Are you a colonel, too?&rdquo; the girl inquired, and
Gray bowed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I was.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And you knew each other abroad?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We came to know each other very well. We were, in fact,
commissioned at the same time and place, but Colonel Nelson received his
a moment earlier than I received mine, therefore he outranked me. Now
then, permit me to retire while you and he&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, there's nothing confidential about what I have to say. It's
good news for my partner, and I'm sure he'd love to share it.&rdquo; To
Nelson she announced, &ldquo;Pete has a showing of oil!&rdquo;</p>

<p>The vice-president of the bank murmured something which was lost in
Gray's quick inquiry: &ldquo;Partner? Are you a partner of Colonel
Nelson's?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;After a fashion. We own a twenty-acre lease west of
'Burk'&mdash;that is, I have a quarter interest and Henry is putting down
a well. I drove out there, and his driller told me it is looking
good.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray turned a keenly inquisitive gaze upon his enemy, and what he saw,
or fancied he saw, gave him the thrill of a new discovery. It may have
been no more than intuition on his part, but something convinced him that
his acquaintance with Miss Good deeply displeased the man. If he knew
Henry Nelson as well as he believed he did, it was more than disapproval,
more than mere personal dislike, that smoldered in the latter's eyes.
This was luck!</p>

<p>In his warmest tone he cried: &ldquo;Congratulations, my dear Colonel.
However badly you have fared in the Ranger district, fortune favors you
here. But why only a quarter interest? You put too low a price upon your
blessings. I'll better that arrangement. Why, I was ready to offer Miss
Good a full half of all I have, when she played a heartless jest upon me.
Ran away! Disappeared! I'll admit I was piqued. I was deeply resentful,
but&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Nelson interrupted this flow of extravagance. &ldquo;'Miss
Good'?&rdquo; he said, curiously. &ldquo;Why does he call you that,
'Bob'?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A secret! A little game of pretense,&rdquo; Gray declared,
nastily. &ldquo;For the sake of our friendship, Colonel, don't tell me
her real name and rob me of the pleasure of hearing it from her own lips.
Come, Miss Good! Enough of money making and oil wells and stupid business
affairs. I am going to bear you away upon my arm, even at the risk of
displeasing my superior officer. Ha! Lucky the war is over. Now then,
your promise.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray's impetuosity, his buoyancy, robbed his speech of boldness,
nevertheless Barbara Parker flushed faintly. She was ill at ease; she
felt sure she had erred in interrupting these two men; she was glad of an
excuse to leave.</p>

<p>Gray lingered a moment, long enougn for his eyes to meet those of the
banker. In his there was a light of triumph, of mockery, as he said:</p>

<p>&ldquo;A pleasant interview, wasn't it, Colonel? And now we understand
each other perfectly. A fair fight and no quarter asked.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Henry Nelson stood motionless as he watched his two callers leave the
bank together, then slowly he clenched his muscular hands, and from his
lips there issued an oath better left unwritten.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_12">CHAPTER XI</a></h3>

<p>It was several moments after they had left the bank before &ldquo;Bob"
Parker could manage to slip a word in edgewise, so rapid, so eager was
Gray's flow of conversation, so genuine was his pleasure at again seeing
her. Finally, however, she inquired, curiously:</p>

<p>&ldquo;What was it you said to Henry Nelson as I came out? 'No quarter
asked'?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Her escort stared down at her, his brows lifted, his tone betrayed
blank astonishment. &ldquo;'No quarter asked'? Bless me! What are you
talking about?&rdquo; Then his face cleared. &ldquo;Now I
remember&mdash;I said I had found quarters at last. The town is so
crowded, you know; I didn't want him to feel bound to put me up. I abhor
visiting. Don't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Are you really good friends? I felt very queer, the instant
after I had walked in. But&mdash;I was bursting with good news and I
couldn't see Henry's face until too late. Then, it seemed to
me&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nelson and I are scarcely 'good' friends&mdash;we never were
chummy &mdash;but we were thrown together in France and saw a lot of each
other. At first, my respect for him was not great, for he is
a&mdash;difficult person to understand; but as my understanding grew, so
did my respect. He is a remarkably capable man and a determined fighter.
Admirable qualities in a soldier. My call to-day was in the nature of a
ceremonial.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! There's a ceremony before every duel&mdash;the salute. I
thought I could hear the ring of steel.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray laughed off the suggestion. &ldquo;Merely the jingle of officers'
spurs, I assure you. We amateurs cling to the Regular Army pomp and
practice. Frankly, I love it; I admire the military method &mdash;a rule
for every occasion, a rigid adherence to form, no price too high for a
necessary objective. And the army code! Ironclad and exacting! Honors
difficult and disgrace easy. One learns to set great store by both.
You've no idea, Miss Good, how precious is the one and how-hideous is the
other.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You mustn't call me Miss Good any longer,&rdquo; the girl told
him. &ldquo;My name is Barbara Parker.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I like that!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm more generally known as 'Bob.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Even better! It sounds tomboyish.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's not. It is Tom Parkerish. Father insisted on calling me
that and&mdash;it stuck. He's a man's man and my being a girl was a total
surprise to him. It completely upset his plans. So I did my best to
remedy the mistake and learn to do and to take an interest in the things
he was interested in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Those were&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Miss Parker looked up from beneath her trim velvet hat and her blue
eyes were defiant. &ldquo;All that people like you disapprove of; all
that you probably consider undignified and unladylike, such as riding,
roping, shooting&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Riding&mdash;unladylike? It's very smart. And why do you say
people 'like me'? There are no people like me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You know what I mean. You're not a Westerner. You are what a
cowpuncher would call a swell Easterner.&rdquo; Ignoring Gray's grimace
of dislike she went on, deliberately exaggerating her musical Texas
drawl. &ldquo;You are a person of education and culture; you speak
languages; you have the broad 'a,' and if you had to go unshaven it would
be a living death. You are rich, too, and probably play the piano. People
like that don't admire cow-girls.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The man laughed heartily. &ldquo;In spite of my broad 'a' and my
safety razor, I'm as much of a man's man as your father. Frankly, I don't
admire cowgirls, but I do admire you and everything you say about
yourself adds to that admiration. If your father is Tom Parker
&mdash;well. I congratulate you upon an admirable taste in the selection
of parents.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do you know him?&rdquo; Barbara eagerly inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;No. But I know of him and I know what he stands for. I think we
have many things in common, and I venture to say that he is going to like
me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Barbara smiled. This vibrant stranger had an air about him and an
irresistible magnetism. It was flattering to receive marked attentions
from a person of his age and consequence&mdash;the girl felt an access of
importance&mdash;and the tone of his voice, his every look, assured her
that she had indeed challenged his deepest interest. She colored faintly
as he ran on:</p>

<p>&ldquo;So you're a partner of Henry Nelson's! He doesn't deserve it
and&mdash;our friendship ceases. I shall now hate him. Yes, henceforth he
and I shall be enemies.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I love to be flattered, but please don't become Henry's enemy.
The most dreadful things happen to them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He pretends to be a friend, but in reality he is a
suitor&mdash;a detestable suitor&mdash;and the ties of business bind you
closer! I see it all. I&mdash;I consider it abominable.&rdquo; Gray's
tone was as gay as his demeanor had been thus far, nevertheless he was
probing deliberately, and the result appeared to verify his earlier
suspicions. Calm as he had appeared to be during that interview in the
bank, in reality he had been, and still was, in a state of intense
nervous excitement; his mind was galloping; the effect of that clash had
been to rouse in him a keen exaltation and a sense of resistless power.
If Henry Nelson was seriously interested in this girl, he reasoned, here
then was another weapon ready shaped&mdash;a rapier aimed at his enemy's
breast&mdash;and all he had to do was grasp it. That promised to be a
pleasant undertaking. Nor had he any doubt of success, for Barbara Parker
had aroused his liking so promptly that reason&mdash;and
experience&mdash;told him they must be in close sentimental accord. Even
had she proven less responsive, he would still have been confident of
himself, for few women remained long indifferent to his zeal, once he
deliberately set about winning them. To build upon that subtle,
involuntary attraction, therefore, and to profit by it, appeared
advisable, nay, necessary, for henceforth all must be grist that came to
his mill. In view of his declaration of war, he could afford to scorn no
advantage, however direct or indirect its bearing.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Tell me about the Briskows,&rdquo; Barbara demanded.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course! I'm dying to do so, but&rdquo;&mdash;Gray looked at
his watch &mdash;&ldquo;even the good must lunch. No doubt you abhor the
public eating places, but, alas&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I do. So does everybody who tries them. But our cook has been
speculating in shares, and yesterday she stalked majestically from the
kitchen. She was a wretched cook, anyhow; but we couldn't afford a better
one. We're very poor, dad and I.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Were poor. Not poor any longer, I hope.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, that well! It is exciting, isn't it? Dad has gone out there
to see it, so&mdash;Yes, I'll lunch with you and be duly
grateful.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where shall we go?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Barbara's brows drew together in a frown of consideration, and Gray
told himself that she was even more charming when serious than when
smiling. &ldquo;Wherever we go, we'll be sorry we didn't go somewhere
else. We might try the Professor's place. He's a Greek scholar&mdash;left
his university to get rich quick in the oil fields, but failed. He
started a sandwich and pie counter&mdash;a good one&mdash;and it pays
better than a pumper. But we'd have to sit on high stools and be scowled
at if we didn't gobble our food and make room for others. Then there is
Ptomaine Tommy's. Cafes are good and bad by comparison. After you've been
here a few days you'll enjoy Tommy's.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then I vote for his poison palace. The very name has a thrill
to it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>On their way to the restaurant, Gray said: &ldquo;Pa and Ma and Allie
Briskow and the tutoress have gone to the mountains&mdash;Ma's beloved
mountains&mdash;and they appear to be living up to her expectations. The
mountains, I mean. The old dear writes me every week, and her letters are
wonderful, even outside of the spelling. She hasn't lost a single
illusion. She has a soul for adventure, has Ma; she's hunting for caves
now&mdash;keeps her ears open to hear if the ground sounds hollow; wants
to find a mysterious cavern and explore it, with her heart in her mouth.
She revels in the clean, green foliage and the spring brooks. She says
the trees are awful crowded in places and there's no dust on
them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And Allie has a tutor!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The best money could secure. And, by the way, you wouldn't have
known the girl after you got through with her that day. That was only the
beginning, too. She fills the eye now, and she's growing.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Growing?</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>Gray chuckled. &ldquo;Not physically, but mentally, psychologically,
intellectually.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I said she had possibilities.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes. More than I gave her credit for, but what they are, where
they will lead her, I don't know. I'm a foolish person, Miss Parker, for
I take an intense interest in the affairs of other people, especially my
friends. My favorite dissipation is to share the troubles of those whom I
like, and right now I'm quite as worried over Allie as her father is. You
see, she has outdistanced her parents already; the dream part is wearing
off and her new life is a reality. She is confronted with the grim and
appalling necessity of adapting herself to a completely new and
bewildering set of conditions. I'm not sure that she will be equal to
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I presume you mean that she is sensitive.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Supersensitive! And ambitious! That's the trouble. If she were
dull and conceited she could be both happy and contented. But she's
bright, and she lacks egotism, so she'll never be either. Adversity would
temper a girl like her; prosperity may&mdash;spoil her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There is a boy, too, isn't there?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, Buddy! He's away at school. He'll make a hand,
or&mdash;well, if he doesn't, I'll beat the foolishness out of him. I've
assumed complete responsibility for Buddy, and he'll be a credit to
me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a tone in Gray's voice when he spoke of the Briskows that
gave Barbara Parker a wholly new insight into his character; it was with
a feeling that she knew him and liked him better that she said:</p>

<p>&ldquo;You think a lot of those nesters, don't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;More than they believe, and more than I would have thought
possible,&rdquo; he readily declared. &ldquo;I'm a lonesome institution.
There's nobody dependent upon me; I owe no bills, no gratitude, and I've
canceled the obligations that others owe me. You've no idea how
unnecessary I am. It gives me a pleasing sense of importance, therefore,
to feel that I fill a place in somebody's affairs.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Wichita Falls's facilities for public entertainment reflected perhaps
as correctly as anything else the general chaos consequent upon its swift
expansion into a city. Such hotels as had been capable of caring for the
transient trade of pre-petroleum days were full and carried waiting lists
like exclusive clubs; rooming houses and private dwellings were crowded.
A new and modern fireproof hotel was stretching skeleton fingers of steel
skyward, but meanwhile the task of sheltering, and especially of feeding
three times a day, the hungry hordes that bulged the sides of the little
city was a difficult one. To wrest possession of a cafe table for two at
the rush hour was an undertaking almost as hazardous as jumping a mining
claim, but Calvin Gray succeeded and eventually he and &ldquo;Bob&rdquo;
found themselves facing each other over a discolored tablecloth, reading
a soiled menu card to a perspiring waiter. It was in some ways an ideal
retreat for a tete-a-tete, for the bellowed orders, the rattle of
crockery, the voice of the hungry food battlers, and the clash of their
steel made intimate conversation easy. Gray noted with approval the ease
with which his dainty companion adapted herself to the surroundings and
remarked upon it.</p>

<p>&ldquo;After four years in the East it took me a little while to get
used to it,&rdquo; she confessed. &ldquo;The Wichita I left was a quiet
town; the one I came home to was a madhouse. At first the excitement
frightened me, for I felt as if I were being run over, tossed aside. But
now that I've fallen in with the chase, why&mdash;I think it is
splendid.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Just what are you doing and how do you do it?&rdquo; Gray
wanted to know.</p>

<p>Barbara was glad to tell him about her brief but eventful experience
since that morning at the Nelson bank when she had executed her coup, and
she recited the story with enthusiasm.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Having no capital to go on,&rdquo; she explained, &ldquo;I've
merely bought and sold on commission so far, but I'm not always going to
be a broker. I'm making good, and some day dad and I will be big
operators. I've been able to buy a car, and most of my time I'm out in
the field. They tell me I'm as good an oil scout as some of the' men
working for the big companies; but, of course, I'm not. I merely have an
advantage; drillers tell me more than they'd tell a man.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course, with your father along you're safe in going
anywhere, but to go through the fields alone&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, dad doesn't go!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What?&rdquo; Gray looked up incredulously, but
&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; nodded her head vigorously.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Dad hates automobiles; they frighten him. So I go out alone
while he runs the office.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Extraordinary! But, my dear girl, it's dangerous.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Naturally, I avoid 'Burk' and the Northwest Extension after
dark&mdash;even the scouts do that. But it wouldn't pay anybody to
high-jack me. No. I go right in on the derrick floors and hobnob with the
drillers, talk about their wives and their families, discuss croup and
fishing jobs; sometimes they let me taste the sand and even show me the
logs of their wells. It amused them at first to think of a girl playing
the game single-handed&mdash;most men, however rough, have a sense of
chivalry, you know, and are better sports than they realize.
Now&mdash;well, they're beginning to respect my business ability. They
have learned that I keep my mouth closed and that I'll treat them
squarely. Some of them would fight for me. I tell you it is the greatest
experience, the most thrilling adventure, a girl ever had.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are a brave child, and I admire your courage,&rdquo; Gray
declared.</p>

<p>&ldquo;But I'm not. I'm afraid of everything that other girls are
afraid of.&rdquo; Leaning forward confidentially, the girl continued:
&ldquo;I'm a hollow sham, Mr. Gray, but dad doesn't know it. After I
learned how badly he wanted me to be a boy, and how he had set his heart
on teaching me the things he thought a son of his should know, I had a
secret meeting with myself and I voted unanimously to fill the
specifications if it killed me. So I began a fraudulent life. I'm in
earnest. For instance, I abhor guns, but I learned to shoot with either
hand until&mdash;well, I'm pretty expert. And roping! I can build a loop,
jump through it, do straight and fancy catches like a cowboy. I worked at
it for months, years it seemed to me. I knew very well it was a
ridiculous waste of time, but I'll never forget how proud dad was when I
learned the 'butterfly.' That was my reward. Horses used to frighten me
blue, but I learned to ride well enough. In fact, it has been a keen
disappointment to him that I won't enter the Frontier Day contests. He'd
like nothing better than to see me win the bucking-horse match. Think of
it! And I'm so timid I can't look an oat in the face!&rdquo; Barbara
attempted a shy laugh, but there was a quaver to her voice, and when Gray
continued to stare at her gravely, sympathetically, her face quickly
sobered. &ldquo;Now you understand why my father doesn't think it
necessary to go along on my trips through the oil fields. It has never
occurred to him that I'm anything but 'Bob' Parker, his boy. Mind you, he
is lost in admiration of me and I rule him like a slave. I think he is
great, too, and he<i>is</i>. He is the dearest, gentlest, sweetest father
in the world, and I wouldn't have him learn the hideous truth about me
for anything.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For a moment Barbara's listener studied her thoughtfully, then he
said: &ldquo;I'm immensely flattered that you like me well enough to make
me your confessor. Now I'm going to confess to you that I also am an
arrant coward.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Please don't joke. You have become quite a famous character,
and if the stories I hear are true&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The stories one hears are never true. I have my share of
physical courage, perhaps; that's a common, elementary virtue, like
generosity, gratitude, sympathy. The most mediocre people are blessed
that way.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh! Generosity and gratitude are divine qualities!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray shook his head positively. &ldquo;Impulses! Heart impulses, not
brain impulses. They have nothing to do with character. Now I'm deathly
afraid of one thing.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What, pray?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ridicule! You see, I'm egotistical and ostentatious. Oh, very!
Disgustingly vain, in fact. If I were unconscious of it, I'd be
unbearable, but&mdash;it amuses me as much as it amuses others, and that
takes the curse off of it. I am delighted at some of my own antics. I
love to swagger and I adore an audience, but to be laughed at by others
would kill me. Ridicule! Scorn! I'm insensible to anything except
those.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're a queer man.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray's gaze became fixed; there was a peculiar light&mdash;almost a
glitter&mdash;in his eyes; he talked on as if voicing some engrossing
thought. &ldquo;Of course, I'm vindictive&mdash;that's a part of the
swashbuckling character; it goes with the ruffles, the jack boots, and
the swagger. It is a luxury of which I am extremely jealous.&rdquo;
Bringing his attention back to the girl, he smiled and his manner changed
abruptly. &ldquo;There! I've proved it all by talking about myself when
I'm interested only in you. However, it is sometimes easier to sell a
thing by frankly decrying it than by covering up its bad points, and I'm
trying desperately to make a good impression upon you. Now then, I'm
tremendously interested in what you have told me about yourself, and I'm
sure you are a better oil man&mdash;oil girl&mdash;than you have led me
to suppose. But these are no times for social pleasantries. We are living
in bedlam. There is nothing in the air but
business&mdash;oil&mdash;profits. You are a business woman, and if we are
to become as well acquainted as I hope we will, it must be the result of
a common business interest. So, then, for a bargain. I am going to enter
this field in a large way; if you will take me for a client, I will buy
and sell through you whenever possible. Perhaps we can even speculate
together now and then. I'll guarantee you against loss. What do you
say?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why&mdash;it's a splendid opportunity for me. And I know of
some good things; I'm overflowing with information, in fact. For
instance&mdash;&ldquo; Barbara hurriedly produced her oil map and,
shoving aside the dishes in front of her, she spread it upon the table.
&ldquo;There is a wildcat going down out here that looks awfully
good.&rdquo; As she indicated a tiny circle marked into the corner of one
square, Gray noted that there was a dimple at the base of her finger.
&ldquo;The scouts don't think much of it, but I happen to know it is on a
structure and has a good showing of oil. The driller is a friend of mine,
and he has told me that his casing is set. He'll tip me off when he
intends to drill through, and if you like we'll go out there and see what
happens. If it comes in, it will mean a big play on surrounding property;
prices will double, treble. My theory is this&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray's head was close to the speaker's, but, although he pretended to
listen to her words and to follow the tracings of her finger with
studious consideration, in reality his attention was fixed upon the
tantalizing curve of her smooth cheek and throat. In some perplexity of
spirit he asked himself why it was that mere proximity to this wholly
sensible and matter-of-fact young creature filled him with such a vague
yet pleasurable excitement. He realized that he was not easily thrilled;
feminine beauty, feminine charm were nothing new, nevertheless at this
moment he experienced an intense elation, an eagerness of spirit, such as
he had not felt since he was in the first resistless vigor of youth, and
his voice, when he spoke, carried an unconscious quality strange to his
ears.</p>

<p>It was the more bewildering because nothing had happened to awaken
such feelings. He had met this unworldly, inexperienced prairie girl but
twice, and on her part she had betrayed no particular attraction for him.
As a matter of fact, she probably considered him an old man&mdash;young
girls were like that. Of course, that was absurd. He was right in his
prime, youth sang through his veins at this moment, and yet&mdash;she
must like him, he must have somehow impressed her. That was fortunate, in
view of her relations with Henry Nelson; luck was coming his way, and she
would undoubtedly prove useful. The last thing Calvin Gray contemplated
was a sentimental woman complication, but on account of this girl's
peculiar knowledge it seemed to him the part of wisdom to cultivate
her&mdash;to see as much of her as possible.</p>

<p>&ldquo;If you will come over to the office, I'll show you how I think
that pool lies,&rdquo; Barbara was saying, and Gray came to with a
start.</p>

<p>It was midafternoon when he left the Parker office&mdash;at least he
thought it must be midafternoon until he consulted his watch and
discovered that, to all intents and purposes, he had completely lost two
hours. An amazing loss, truly. There was no lack of youthful vigor in
Calvin Gray's movements at any time, but now there was an unusual
lightness to his tread and his lips puckered into a joyous whistle. It
had been a great day, a day of the widest extremes, a day of adventure
and romance. And that is what every day should be.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_13">CHAPTER XII</a></h3>

<p>If Gray cherished any lingering doubts as to the loyalty of Mallow,
erstwhile victim of his ruthlessness, or of McWade and Stoner, the
wildcat promoters, those doubts vanished during the next day or two. As a
matter of fact, the readiness, nay, the enthusiasm with which they fell
in with his schemes convinced him that he had acted wisely in yielding to
an impulse to trust them. At first, when he divulged his enemy's
identity, they were thunderstruck; mere mention of Henry Nelson's name
rendered them speechless and caused them to regard their employer as a
harmless madman, but as he unfolded his plans in greater detail they
listened with growing respect. The idea seized them finally. In the first
place, it was sufficiently fantastic to appeal to their imaginations, for
they saw in Gray a lone wolf with the courage and the ferocity to single
out and pull down the leader of the herd, and, what was more, they
scented profit to themselves in trailing with him. Then, too, the
enterprise promised to afford free scope for their ingenuity, their
cunning, their devious business methods, and that could be nothing less
than pleasing to men of their type.</p>

<p>But early enough he made it plain that he intended and would tolerate
no actual dishonesty; crooked methods were both dangerous and
unsatisfactory, he told them, hence the fight must be fair even though
merciless. To annoy, to harass, to injure, and if possible actually to
ruin the banker, that was his intention; to accomplish those ends he was
willing to employ any legitimate device, however shrewd, however smart.
His entire fortune&mdash;and his associates, of course, greatly
exaggerated its size&mdash;would be available for the purpose, and when
he sketched out the measures he had in mind the trio of rogues realized
that here indeed was a field wide enough for the exercise of their
peculiar gifts. They acknowledged, too, a certain pleasure in the
comfortable assurance that they would involve themselves in no illegal
consequences.</p>

<p>At their first council of war Gray gave each of them a number of
definite things to do or to have done, the while he sought certain facts;
when they assembled for a second time, it was to compare, to tabulate,
and to consider an amount of information concerning the activities of
Henry Nelson that would have greatly surprised that gentleman had he been
present to hear it.</p>

<p>For one thing, there had been prepared a comprehensive list of the
Nelson holdings, together with maps showing their acreage and production,
the location of drilling wells, the ownership of adjoining properties,
and the like. There was also a considerable amount of data concerning the
terms of the Nelson leases, renewal dates, and such matters. Gray was
forced reluctantly to admit that his enemy was more strongly intrenched
than he had supposed; careful study of the data showed that the Nelson
acreage had been well selected and that it was scientifically
&ldquo;checkerboarded&rdquo; throughout the various fields. What was more
significant was the amount of proven or semiproven stuff.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It took work and money to get together that group of
leases,&rdquo; Brick Stoner declared, after he had checked them off.
&ldquo;That's one of the best layouts in Texas, and they're shaped up to
put over a big deal if they want to.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;They lack production,&rdquo; said Gray.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! But they'll have it before long. Lookit the wells they're
putting down and that's going down around 'em.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The former speaker chewed his cigar thoughtfully for a while, then:
&ldquo;I don't believe they contemplate a big deal. They're not that
sort. Henry Nelson is selfish and suspicious, and I'm told that Bell
wouldn't trust anybody. I'm informed also that every dollar they have
made has gone back into new leases and wells and that they intend to hold
everything for themselves. It is rumored, quietly, that they are
overextended.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wouldn't care how thin I was stretched if I had their
gamble,&rdquo; McWade asserted. &ldquo;All they have to do is to sit
tight. The law of average will pull them out. What do you intend to
do?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;To begin with, I intend to stretch them even thinner&mdash;so
thin they'll break, if that is possible.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You can't load them up with more property.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Certainly not, but I can make them drill more wells.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Offsets, eh?&rdquo; Stoner studied the map a bit doubtfully.
&ldquo;You can't make 'em offset dry holes, and if they strike oil in
their wells the other fellers will have to do the offsetting.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;True. I can, of course, prevent them from extending their
renewals. I can cost them a pretty penny just by forcing them to a rigid
adherence to the terms of their leases and agreements
and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you mean, 'offsets'?&rdquo; Mallow inquired. &ldquo;How
you going to break a man by bringing in wells alongside of his property?
That'll make him rich.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Can you beat that?&rdquo; Stoner inquired. &ldquo;Mallow's been
selling oil stock and experting wells for us with the Marvelous Magnetic
Finder and he don't know an offset from a headache post.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Certainly, I know&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, Professor! Is it possible we have been deceived in you? An
offset is the thing that sets off to one side of the crown block and it's
a light blue, the same as a formation. It's the shape of a syncline, only
bigger.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't get funny. You drill an offset well to keep a man from
sucking all the oil out from under your land.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Right!&rdquo; said Gray. &ldquo;Wells, as you know, are drilled
as close to the side lines as the law allows. When oil is found, the
adjoining landowner can compel his lessee to put down a well to offset
every one that threatens to draw oil from beneath his property.&rdquo;
&ldquo;That's what I've just been telling you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Many an operator has gone broke offsetting wells in order to
protect his leases, especially if he has a number of neighbors who all
start drilling promptly. That is one of the many production
troubles&mdash;and there's a saying that trouble begins when the oil
starts.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You said it. But to offset the Nelsons so's to cripple
'em&mdash;&rdquo; Brick Stoner shook his head. &ldquo;It ain't hard to
borrow money for good offsets. &ldquo;Most any bank will lend.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is hard for anybody who is overextended to borrow. Possibly
my plan won't work, but to annoy, to harass, to embarrass, to stretch
them thin&mdash;it's all a part of the game. People are never as well off
as we think they are. The Nelsons are close to the sand in a number of
places. I want to procure the adjoining acreage. For every well they
make, I'll force them to drill six more. The day they strike oil I'll
have a string of derricks every two hundred feet along their side
lines.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was Mallow who spoke next. &ldquo;That will cost you dollar for
dollar, boss. Have you got chips enough to match their stack?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't have to invest dollar for dollar. My money will go for
leases, and I'll let drilling contracts, fifty-fifty, sixty-forty,
seventy-thirty&mdash;anything to get quick action. Other people's money
will do the work for me. Remember, I'm not after oil, I'm after a
man.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll say you are!&rdquo; Stoner looked up from a frowning
contemplation of the maps. &ldquo;And if you'll take a chance I'll show
you how you can drill one well and cost them three&mdash;that is,
provided you hit.&rdquo; As the others leaned over his shoulder he
explained: &ldquo;Here's a square block of four twenties&mdash;separate
leases, all of 'em&mdash;and the Nelsons own three. You can cop the
fourth twenty, drill right at the inside corner, where all the lines
cross. If you pull a duster, you'll be out and injured, maybe twenty-five
thousand, but if it comes wet they'll have to protect those three leases
with three offsets. It ain't a bad-looking piece of ground; you'll have
about a one-to-three chance of making a well.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How many companies have you gentlemen promoted?&rdquo; Gray
inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Twenty-two. And from a shoestring. Every well went down, or is
going down, and every dollar we got right here on the street.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And all of them are dry, are they not?&rdquo;</p>

<p>McWade spoke up, defensively: &ldquo;Sure. They were all wildcats of
the wildest kind. But we don't deal in oil, we sell stock. Every issue
we've put out has gone above par at some time or other, and that's
playing the game square with our customers, ain't it? We see that they
have a chance to get out with a profit; if they hang on it's their own
fault. That's how we've built up a clienteel.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It wouldn't hurt your reputation to bring in a wet well for a
change, would it?&rdquo; Both partners agreed that it would not.
&ldquo;I'll buy this twenty-acre lease, and you can promote a company to
drill ten of it, Stoner says it's a one-to-three shot.&rdquo;</p>

<p>McWade blazed with enthusiasm at the suggestion. &ldquo;Take a piece
of the stock yourself, Mr. Gray, and we'll put it over in a day. With
your name at the top of the list it will bally-hoo itself.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not a share. Your amiable proposition brings me directly to
another point which has a bearing upon our main campaign. Law is a dry
subject, but I must bore you with a brief dissertation upon a provision
of one statute which has doubtless escaped your notice. It has escaped
the notice of most people, even of Henry Nelson, I believe. You realize
that all but a few Texas oil companies are not organized as corporations,
but as joint stock associations&mdash;in effect declarations of
trust.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We oughta know it,&rdquo; Stoner said. &ldquo;It saves paying a
big corporation tax and lets you sell all the full-paid, nonassessable
stock you want to issue, regardless of what the property is worth. Oh, we
got wise to that, <i>muy pronto!</i> Why, these here Texas laws are the
bunk! Them fellows at Austin, if they had their way, would make it
impossible to promote a legitimate enterprise&mdash;on a paying basis.
They'd make you turn in cash or property the equivocal thereto every time
you organized. Wouldn't that be sweet? This joint-stock arrangement is
the only way to beat the game. It's a shrewd device, and my hat's off to
the guy that invented it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Very true. Very well expressed. But in the statute governing
the procedure there is wrapped up a bundle of bad news, for it is
provided that any officer or stockholder may become personally liable for
the entire debt of the association. There is going to be a lot of sleep
lost over that fact when the truth becomes known.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You mean if I got stock in a company that's blowed up, and I'm
living in Oshkosh, all pretty, that I can be hooked for the debts some
crook runs up here in Texas?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Precisely.&rdquo;</p>

<p>This intelligence brought no consternation to the partners; on the
contrary, McWade, the optimist, grinned widely. &ldquo;Goes to show you
we have been playing the game along safe and legitimate lines,&rdquo;
said he. &ldquo;We don't own a share in any of our own enterprises, and
if we have to pick up a few now and then to boost the market, we drop
them again as if they were hot. It's a pretty thought, though. Why, I can
see years of activity ahead of Brick and me, buying up the debts of
defunct oil companies and collecting in full from prosperous strangers
hither and yon. For Heaven's sake, don't let it get out!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I won't, at least until after I have accumulated a number of
potential judgments against Henry Nelson. He has had his share of cats
and dogs, of course, and some day I hope to lead them back to his
doorstep. If they return at the right moment, they may prove an
embarrassment. Who knows?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Got anything else up your sleeve?&rdquo; Behind Mallow's dark
glasses his eyes could be dimly seen, and they were active with
curiosity.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Plenty. But we have enough here to start on. First, I want
these various leases, then I want a company promoted and a well started
on that twenty we talked about.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For some time longer the conspirators busied themselves over the
details of their plans, and Gray was beginning to feel some satisfaction
at his rate of progress when an interruption occurred that threatened to
delay action and even to rob him of the services of the two partners.
That interruption took the form of a call from a group of highly excited
and indignant purchasers of stock in the Desert Scorpion Company, that
promotion in which Professor Mallow had assisted on the morning of Gray's
arrival. These stockholders swarmed into the office, bringing with them
an air of angry menace; they were noisy; they all talked at once.</p>

<p>From out of the confusion it soon became apparent that they had a real
grievance, and one which called for immediate satisfaction; moreover, it
was made plain that the callers cared little what form that satisfaction
took, whether tar and feathers or a rope and a lamp-post. They had been
sold, victimized, flimflammed, skinned; the scorpion had stung them and
the poison was boiling in their veins. Briefly, the swindle was this:
investigation had shown that the land owned by the Desert Scorpion was
not where it had been represented to be, but more than a mile distant
therefrom. Chance alone had brought forth the truth; the hour of
vengeance had struck.</p>

<p>Calvin Gray withdrew quietly from the hubbub and asked Mallow,
&ldquo;Can that be true?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The eminent scientist shrugged; out of the corner of his mouth he
murmured: &ldquo;Why not? It all looks alike.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Me Wade and Stoner were not in the least dismayed by this amazing
intelligence; as a matter of fact, the former assumed an air of even
greater geniality than usual and nodded a careless agreement to every
accusation hurled against him. &ldquo;Right you are, men! Absolutely
right. We were victimized, but we're tickled to death to rectify the
error. Mighty fortunate mistake, as a matter of fact. Brick, out with the
old check book and give these birds back their money.&rdquo; With
alacrity Mr. Stoner cleared off his desk and seated himself, pen in hand.
&ldquo;Step up and get a dollar a share &mdash;just what you paid. Fair
enough, I calls it. The banks are open and the checks are
good.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Immediately the repurchase of stock began, but anger and suspicion
still smoldered; there were dissatisfied mutterings. One investor, a
field man in greasy overalls, spoke out:</p>

<p>&ldquo;We'll get ours, all right. Don't worry. But how about the other
suckers? There's fifty thousand shares out. What you going to do about
that?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buy it back. Know where you can get any more?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Maybe.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We'll pay a dollar and a half a share for all you can get,
to-morrow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You heard me. Breast up, boys, and get your money back. Our
offer stands&mdash;a dollar a share to-day, a dollar and a half
to-morrow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a stir among the indignant speculators; the man for whom
Stoner was writing a check inquired: &ldquo;What's the idea? Why not a
dollar and a half now?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Stoner and McWade exchanged a meaning glance&mdash;it was not lost
upon their attentive audience&mdash;but the latter shrugged and smiled
provocatively. &ldquo;That's our business,&rdquo; he declared, lightly.
&ldquo;You ghost dancers want your money back and we're giving it to you.
You're letting up a holler that you were robbed, so come and get it. The
faster you come the better it'll suit us. Scorpion stock will close at a
dollar and a half or better to-morrow night.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bluff!&rdquo; somebody growled.</p>

<p>Stoner finished his signature with a nourish, blotted it, then he
hesitated. He flung down his pen and turned defiantly upon his partner,
crying:</p>

<p>&ldquo;This ain't fair to these men, Mac. They're customers of ours
and we owe 'em the chance to make a killing. It's up to us to tell 'em
the truth.&rdquo;</p>

<p>McWade was angry. His indignation flamed. Vigorously he denied the
charge of unfairness. A spirited argument ensued, with Stoner asserting
that the firm was morally obligated to protect its clients to a greater
extent than merely by returning their money, and with McWade as stoutly
maintaining that all obligations, moral and legal, were canceled with the
repurchase of the stock.</p>

<p>Meanwhile it became evident that the alarming rumor about Desert
Scorpion was rapidly spreading, for other investors were climbing the
stairs now, and the office was becoming crowded. The later arrivals were
in time to witness McWade finally defer to his partner and to hear him
announce that a rare stroke of fortune had favored purchasers of this
particular issue of stock, for the land which really belonged to the
company had turned out to be much better than that which it owned.
Certain information from the field had arrived that very day which was
bound to send the stock to two dollars. If anybody wanted to sell, the
promoters would be glad to buy, and they would advance their price on the
morrow, as McWade had promised, so here was a chance for those present to
turn a pretty penny by getting busy at once. Frankly, however, he advised
his hearers to hang on and make a real clean-up. The information, which
was not yet public, had nothing to do with the fact that Doctor Mallow
had experted both properties with his scientific device and pronounced
the new acreage much richer than the old&mdash;this latter was merely
corroborative evidence, and in view of the fact that some people put no
credence in so-called &ldquo;doodle bugs,&rdquo; he merely offered the
record of the tester for what it was worth. His original bet of ten to
one still held, by the way, and once again he repeated that those who
wished to sell out would be accommodated with the greatest alacrity. Only
they mustn't return later and squawk.</p>

<p>McWade confessed that he was neither angry nor offended at the recent
attitude of suspicion&mdash;he was merely amused. It made him laugh. The
idea of his firm turning a crooked trick, when it was an established
institution as strong as Gibraltar and as conservative as a national
bank, was ridiculous. He and Stoner could point with pride to an unbroken
record of successes and to a list of satisfied investors as long as a
Santa Fe time-table. Desert Scorpion stock would go to two dollars, and
five would get you ten if you didn't think so. Now then, step lively!</p>

<p>The refunding of money halted; there was a deal of noisy argument.
Some of the disgruntled investors still insisted upon selling out; others
decided to hold on; even a few asked to repurchase the stock they had
turned in, and this they were reluctantly permitted to do at an advance
of fifty per cent.</p>

<p>When the last caller had disappeared, Gray inquired, curiously:
&ldquo;How are you going to make good on your assertion that the stock
will rise?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Easy!&rdquo; said Stoner. &ldquo;I'll change into my old
clothes, put four mud chains on my car, and drive up, to the exchange in
a hurry, then give some gabby guy a tip to grab Desert Scorpion for me at
a dollar and a half&mdash;all he can get. After that I'll shoot out of
town on high, with the cut-out open. There will be a string of cars after
me inside of half an hour, and the stock will be up before I can get
back.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We'll make good, all right,&rdquo; McWade asserted.
&ldquo;Those customers are in luck dealing with a house like us. All they
expect is a chance to get out with a profit and sting the next fellow.
They don't want oil; they want a run for their money and a quick turn. We
give it to them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And do they always buy your issues?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I ain't saying they do. Sometimes they're cold until you put on
the Indian sign. But all you have to do when stock don't sell is to raise
the price. Oh, if you know how, it ain't hard to make an honest dollar in
the oil business!&rdquo; Mr. McWade smiled with conscious
satisfaction.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm sure of it,&rdquo; Gray said, heartily. &ldquo;There is so
little competition.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_14">CHAPTER XIII</a></h3>

<p>Ma Briskow always had been known as a woman without guile, but of late
she had developed rare powers of dissimulation. She was, in fact, leading
a double life, and neither her husband nor her daughter suspected the
extent of her deception. To the patrons of the Burlington Notch Hotel she
was merely a drab, indistinct, washed-out old woman, unmarked except by a
choice of clashing colors in dress; to her family she remained what she
always had been; nobody dreamed that she was in reality a bandit queen,
the leader of a wild, unfettered band of mountaineers. But that is what
she was. And worse at times.</p>

<p>Yes, Ma had slipped the leash. She was a robber baroness; she dwelt in
a rocky &ldquo;fastness&rdquo;&mdash;whatever that was&mdash;surrounded
by a crew of outlaws as desperate as any that ever drew cutlass and
dagger, and she ruled them not only by native strength of character, but
also by the aid of other forces, for she was on friendly terms with the
more prominent wood sprites, fairies, and the like, and they brought her
wisdom. Moreover, she had learned the language of dumb animals and could
talk to squirrels, beetles, porcupines, frogs.</p>

<p>All this, as may be surmised, had come about as the result of Ma's
early reading: a haphazard choice of story books, in which were tales of
treasure trove, of pirates, of wronged maidens and gallant
squires&mdash;romantic stories peculiarly designed to stir a cramped
imagination like hers. It was from them that she had gained her ideas of
the world, her notions of manners, even her love of the mountains, and
that unquenchable desire to see them that she had confided to Calvin
Gray.</p>

<p>He it was, by the way, who had selected the Notch for these Texas
nesters. It had proved a happy choice, for the hotel sat upon the top of
the world, and beneath it lay outspread the whole green and purple
vastness of the earth. The Briskows were entranced, of course, and, once
they had established themselves here, they never thought of moving, nor
did it occur to them that there might&mdash;be other mountains than
these, other hotels as good as this. To them Burlington Notch became
merely a colloquial name for Paradise, and life in the great hotel itself
a beautiful dream.</p>

<p>The place was famous the country over as a health resort, and, indeed,
it must have possessed miraculous curative properties, otherwise Gus
Briskow, strong and vigorous as he was, could never have survived the
shock of receiving his first week's bill. It was with conflicting
emotions that he had divided the sum at the foot of the statement into
seven parts and realized the daily ransom in which he and his family were
held; it had given him a feeling of tremendous importance and extreme
insignificance. He spoke feelingly that night about the high cost of
loafing, but Ma showed such dismay at the mere suggestion of leaving that
he had resigned himself, and thereafter the sight of his weekly bill
evoked nothing more than a shudder and a prayer&mdash;a prayer that none
of his wells would go dry overnight.</p>

<p>But lifelong habits of prudence are not easily broken. The Notch Hotel
was altogether too rich for Gus Briskow's blood, so he sought a more
congenial environment. He found it in the village, in a livery stable;
there, amid familiar odors and surroundings both agreeable and
economical, he spent most of his time, leaving Ma to amuse herself and
Allie to pursue the routine of studies laid down by her tutoress.</p>

<p>Now Ma had not gone wild all at once; her atavism had been
gradual&mdash;the result of her persistent explorations. She had never
seen a real waterfall, for instance, and the first one proved so amazing
that she was impelled to seek more, after which she became interested in
caves, and before long her ramblings had taken her up every watercourse
and into every ravine in the neighborhood. This sense of treading
untrodden ground roused in Ma a venturesome spirit of independence, an
unsuspected capacity for adventure, and when the wealth of her
discoveries failed to awaken interest in her family she ceased reporting
them and became more solitary than ever in her habits. Every morning she
slipped out of the hotel, meandered through the grounds apparently
without purpose, but in reality pursuing a circuitous route and taking
sudden twistings and turnings to throw pursuers off the scent. Ever
deeper into the wilderness she penetrated, but with the sly caution of an
old fox returning to its lair, for she was always being followed by
wicked people, such, for instance, as minions of the law, members of the
Black Hand, foreign spies, gen-darmys, and detectifs. Having baffled them
all, she laughed scornfully, flung deceit to the winds, then hurried
straight to the &ldquo;fastness,&rdquo; and there uttered the tribal
call. At the sound her gypsy band came bounding forth to meet her, and
she gave them her royal hand to kiss, raising them graciously when they
knelt, giving a kind word here or a sharp reprimand there.</p>

<p>They were the fiercest gypsies in the world, and quarrelsome, too.
They were forever fighting among themselves and crying: &ldquo;Curse you,
Jack Dalton! Take that!&rdquo; and plunging swords into one another, but
they had good hearts and they loved Ma and were devoted to her lost
cause. She could handle them where others would have failed.</p>

<p>Having accepted their homage and heard the details of their latest
raids against her enemy, the false Duke of Dallas&mdash;he whose
treachery had made her what she was&mdash;she assumed her throne and held
formal court.</p>

<p>The throne was a low, flat rock beside a stream, and usually Ma
removed her shoes and stockings and paddled her feet in the water while
she gave audience to visiting potentates. Those enlarged joints never
seemed to ac commodate themselves wholly to the sort of shoes Allie made
her wear. Court &ldquo;let out&rdquo; when Ma's feet had become rested,
after which there were less formal affairs of state to settle. These out
of the way, it was time for the queen's recreations, which took the form
of singing, dancing, conversations with animals, visits with the
invisible fairy folk who lived in flowers arid gave them their pretty
smells.</p>

<p>Ma never had any trouble putting in the whole day in some such manner
as this; evening came all too soon, as a matter of fact. Then it was that
she bade good-by to her faithful subjects and prepared once more to fare
forth and mingle, in the cunning guise of an old woman, with the
followers of the false and lying Duke of Dallas. But courage! Patience!
The day of reckoning was at hand when she would come into her own and the
world would recognize her as the wronged but rightful Princess
Pensacola.</p>

<p>Thus would Ma Briskow spend one morning. Another perhaps she would be
an altogether different character, but always she was young and beautiful
and full of grace, and only when it came time to go did she assume the
disguise of an aged, wrinkled, bent old woman. Sometimes she ran miles
and miles at a stretch, darting, springing like a fawn, rushing through
the soft, green leaves, leaping rock and rill, her laughter echoing, her
bare limbs flashing, her gold hair streaming, her scanty silken draperies
whipped to shreds behind her by the very swiftness of her going. Oh, the
ecstasy of that! The excitement!</p>

<p>Of course Ma did not actually run. Neither did her bare limbs
flash&mdash;being incased in flannels. And her hair was not gold. It was
gray, what little there was of it. No, she ambled a bit, perhaps, where
the grass was short and the ground smooth, then she stood still, closed
her eyes, and ran and leaped and swayed and darted&mdash;with her arms.
Anybody can do it.</p>

<p>At other times she defied gravitation, a secret accomplishment all her
own, which she manifested in this wise. She would begin to jump, higher
and higher, and the higher she jumped the lighter she became, until
finally she weighed no more than a thistledown, and the effort of leaping
became a pure joy and an exhilaration. Having attained this perfect state
of buoyancy, she would set out upon wonderful journeys, springing lightly
as far as it pleased her to spring, soaring gracefully over obstacles,
and deriving a delirious pleasure from the sensation. One cannot
appreciate the enjoyment to be had from this method of locomotion without
trying it.</p>

<p>And always when Ma came back to earth and opened her eyes there were
the great smiling mountains, the clear, clean waters foaming over the
rocks, and underfoot was the cool, green grass, not that hot, hard 'dobe
clay she had always known. Trees, too! Beautiful whispering trees, with
smooth leaves instead of burrs and spines and stickers. Nor was there the
faintest choking smell of dust; no sand blowing up her nose and smarting
her eyes.</p>

<p>Ma Briskow had never dreamed that the world was so clean. She blessed
God for making oil to lie in the rocks of the earth, and she prayed that
none of &ldquo;them hotel people&rdquo; would discover her retreat.</p>

<p>But, of course, somebody did discover it. Mr. Delamater, the dancing
instructor, for one, stumbled upon it while Ma Briskow was in the midst
of one of her imaginary games, and he reported his discovery to the day
clerk.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What ails that old dame, anyhow?&rdquo; he inquired, after
recounting Ma's peculiar behavior.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not a thing in the world except money,&rdquo; the clerk
declared.</p>

<p>Doubtfully Mr. Delamater shook his handsome auburn head. &ldquo;People
with good sense don't act like that. She was doing an Isadora Duncan when
I saw her. Dancing&mdash;if you care to call it that! Anyhow, her hair
was hanging, she was flapping her arms and jiggling up and down.&rdquo;
Delamater laughed at the memory. &ldquo;There's a big, awkward
bird&mdash;sort of a crane or buzzard of some kind&mdash;that dances. I
never saw one, but she reminded me of it. And she <i>sang</i>! Gee! it
was fierce!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did she see you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Scarcely. I don't mind being alone with
Allie&rdquo;&mdash;Delamater's teeth shone in a smile, then, seeing his
reflection in a convenient mirror, he studied it with complacent favor.
He tried the smile again, and, getting it to his better satisfaction,
concluded &mdash;&ldquo;don't mind it a bit, but a bosky dell with a mad
woman is my idea of no place to be.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Allie?&rdquo; The clerk lifted his brows.
&ldquo;So&mdash;'<i>Allie</i>'! Has it gone as far as that,
Del?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, you know how it is! A lesson every day, soft music, arm
around the waist, a kind word. The girl is human. I'm probably different
to anything that ever came into her young life. Look at my wardrobe!
She's not so bad to take, either, and yet&mdash;&rdquo; The immaculate
speaker frowned. &ldquo;Father smells like a horse, and mother's a nut!
Gee! It would take some coin to square that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's one thing they've got,&rdquo; asserted the clerk.
&ldquo;Nothing but!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mr. Delamater debated further. &ldquo;Think of marrying The Powerful
Katrinka! I'll admit it has its points. If anything went wrong with the
bank roll Allie could make a good living for both of us. Suppose, for
instance, the old Statue of Liberty slipped and fell. Allie could jump
over to Bedloe's Island and take a turn at holding the torch. Ifi they've
got the coin you say they have, I think I'll have to see more of
her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You won't see any more than you do. She's hitting on all
four.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What is she up to all day?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't know. Working, studying, exercising. Rehearsing for the
movies, I guess. She has worn that companion of hers down to a frazzle.
She has her own masseuse in the bath department, she rides a horse three
days a week, and every morning she takes a long walk&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've got it!&rdquo; Mr. Delamater slapped his thigh.
&ldquo;Road work! She's getting ready to take on Dempsey.&rdquo; He
laughed musically. &ldquo;If she marries me her days of labor will be
over; it will mean for her the dawn of a new life&mdash;provided, of
course, those oil wells are what you say they are. Kidding aside, though,
I don't dislike the girl and&mdash;I've a notion to give her a
chance.&rdquo;</p>

<p>What the clerk said was true. Allie Briskow was indeed in training,
both physical and mental, and the application, the energy she displayed
had surprised not only her parents, who could but dimly understand the
necessity of self-culture, but also Mrs. Ring, the instructress. Mrs.
Ring, a handsome, middle-aged woman whose specialty was the finishing of
wealthy young &ldquo;ladies,&rdquo; had been induced to accept this
position partly by reason of the attractive salary mentioned in Calvin
Gray's telegram, and partly by reason of the fact that she needed a rest.
She had met the Briskows in Dallas only a short time before their
departure for the north, and although that first interview had been a
good deal of a shock to her&mdash;almost as much of a shock as if she had
been asked to tutor the offspring of a pair of chimpanzees&mdash;
nevertheless she had nerved herself to the necessary sacrifice of
dignity. After all, Allegheny was only an overgrown child in need of
advanced kindergarten training, and in the meantime there was the
prospect of a season at Burlington Notch. The latter was, in itself, a
prospect alluring to one suffering from the wear and tear of a trying
profession. After some hesitation, Mrs. Ring had accepted the position,
feeling sure that it would rest her nerves.</p>

<p>But never had the good woman suffered such a disillusionment. Allie,
she soon discovered, was anything but a child, or rather she was an
amazing and contradictory combination of child and adult. What Mrs. Ring
had taken to be mental apathy, inherent dullness, was in reality caution,
diffidence, the shyness of some wild animal.</p>

<p>Nor was that the most bewildering of the teacher's surprises; Allie
possessed character and will power. For some time she had accepted Mrs.
Ring's tutorship without comment or question&mdash;Calvin Gray had
recommended it, therefore she obeyed blindly&mdash;but one day, after
they had become settled in the mountains, she came out with a forceful
declaration.</p>

<p>She knew full well her own shortcomings, so she declared, and she was
not content to learn a few things day by day. She demanded intensified
training; education under forced draught.</p>

<p>&ldquo;They took green country boys durin' the war&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;During the war. Don't drop your g's, my dear.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;&mdash;during the war, and learned 'em&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Taught them!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;&mdash;taught them to be soldiers in six months. Well, I'm
strong as a horse, and I've got a brain, and I'm quick at pickin'&mdash;I
mean I pick up things quick&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You pick them up quickly. Quickly is an adverb; quick is
an&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie's dark eyes grew darker. Imperiously she cried: &ldquo;All
right! But let me say this my own way. It won't be right or elegant, but
you'll understand. And that's what we got to have first off&mdash;a good
understanding. After I've said it, you can rub it down and curry it. I
been watching you like a hawk, Miz' Ring, and you're just what he said
you was. You got everything I want, but&mdash;I can't go so slow; I got
to get it quick&mdash;quickly. You been teaching me to read and talk, and
how to laugh, and how to set&mdash;sit&mdash;but we been <i>playing</i>.
We got to<i>work</i>! Oh, I know I'm forgetting everything for a minute.
Miz' Ring, I gotta learn how to act pretty and talk pretty and
<i>look</i> pretty. And I gotta learn how, <i>quick</i>.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are a fine-looking girl as it is, Allegheny.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I guess I look <i>dressed up</i>, but I'm awkward. I'm
stiff as a hired hand, and I fall over my feet. Look at 'em. Biggest live
things in the world without lungs! I got to get slim and
graceful&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll teach you a setting-up routine, if you wish, although it
is scarcely in my line. Goodness knows you don't need physical
culture.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;But I do,&rdquo; cried the girl.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Very well. Riding is a smart accomplishment. Can you ride a
horse?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! I can carry a horse.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'd look well in a habit, and with baths, massage, dancing,
and a little diet I dare say you can reduce.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll starve,&rdquo; Allie asserted, fiercely. &ldquo;But that
ain't half enough. You gotta give me more studyin'. I got callouses on my
hands and I'm used to work. We'll get up at daylight-&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good heavens!&rdquo; Mrs. Ring exclaimed, faintly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You learn me how to do the sitting-up things first off, then
I'll do 'em alone. Ride me hard, Miz' Ring. I'll remember. I'll work; you
won't have to tell me twice. But I gotta make speed. I 'ain't got the
time other girls have.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My dear child, all this cannot be done in a day, a week, a
month.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How long you allow it will take?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The elder woman shrugged. &ldquo;Years, perhaps.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Years?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Real culture, social accomplishments, are the results of
generations of careful training. I'm not a miracle worker. But why this
impatience?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I got-&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have a reason. I can't take a generation; I'd be too
late.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Too late for what?&rdquo;</p>

<p>But Allie refused to answer. &ldquo;We'll start in to-day and we'll
work double tower till one of us plays out. What d'you say?&rdquo;</p>

<p>At first Mrs. Ring took this energetic declaration with some reserve,
but before long she realized with consternation that Allie Briskow was in
deep earnest and that this was not a soft berth. Instead of obtaining a
rest she was being worked as never before. Allie was a thing of iron; she
was indefatigable; and her thirst for knowledge was insatiate; it grew
daily as she gained fuller understanding of her ignorance. There was a
frantic eagerness to her efforts, almost pitiful. As time went on she
began to hate herself for her stupidity and to blame her people for her
condition. She was a harder taskmaster than her teacher. Most things she
apprehended readily enough, but when she failed to learn, when mental or
physical awkwardness halted progress, then she flew into a fury. Her
temper appalled Mrs. Ring.</p>

<p>At such times Allie was more than disagreeable. Hate flamed in her
eyes, she beat herself with her fists, she kicked the furniture, and she
broke things. Once she even butted her head against the wall, uttering
language meanwhile that all but caused her companion to swoon.</p>

<p>Mrs. Ring resigned after this final exhibition, but, lacking the
courage to face Allie in a mood like that, she went to Gus Briskow.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is simply impossible to remain,&rdquo; she told him.
&ldquo;Already I'm a physical wreck, for I never get a moment's rest. The
salary is attractive, but Allegheny is too much for me. She saps every
ounce of vitality I have; she keeps me going every hour. And her terrific
tempers are actually&mdash;dangerous.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She don't ever get mad at you, does she?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh no! And she repents quickly enough. As a matter of fact, I
am afraid she is overdoing her studies, but there's no holding her
back.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're kinda worked up, Miz' Ring. Mebbe I can make it
pleasanter for you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;In what way, may I ask?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, by payin' you more.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are generous. The salary we agreed upon isn't
low.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes'm&mdash;No, ma'am!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wouldn't feel right to accept more.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Try it, ma'am, for a little while. Mebbe it won't bother you so
much after you get used to it. Allie likes you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And I&mdash;I <i>am</i> interested in her. She is progressing,
too; in fact, I have never seen anyone learn more rapidly. But&mdash;she
is so unusual. Still, perhaps I <i>am</i> the one&mdash;perhaps it is my
duty, under the circumstances&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>With this disposition to compromise the father had little difficulty
in dealing, so the daily routine was continued. Allie applied herself to
the cultivation of the ordinary social niceties with the same zeal that
she followed her studies and her physical exercises. Fortunately these
exercises afforded outlet for the impatience and the scorn that she felt
for herself. Otherwise there would have been no living with her. As it
was she showed herself no mercy. Daylight found her stirring, her Swedish
drill she took with a vigor that fairly shook the floor, and, having
finished this, she donned sweater and boots and went for a swift walk
over the hills. At this hour she had the roads to herself and was glad of
it, for she felt ridiculous. At breakfast, although she had a ravenous
appetite, she ate sparingly. The day was spent in reading aloud, in
lessons in deportment, voice modulation, conversation, and the like; in
learning how to enter and how to leave a room, how to behave at a tea or
a reception, how to accept and how to make an introduction, how to walk,
how to sit, how to rise. Allie did sums in arithmetic, she studied
grammar and geography and penmanship&mdash;in short, she took an
intensified common-school course. Here was where her tutoress had
trouble, for when the girl's brain became weary or confused she relieved
her baffled rage in her most natural way, the while Mrs. Ring stopped her
ears and moaned. It was a regimen that no ordinary woman could have
endured; it would have taxed the strength of an athlete.</p>

<p>Late in the afternoon Allie went riding, and here was one
accomplishment in which she required no coaching. Frequently she vented
her spite upon her horse, and more than once she brought it home with its
mouth bleeding and its flanks white with lather. She rode with a
magnificent recklessness that finally caused comment among the other
guests.</p>

<p>Allie was sitting alone in her room one evening, fagged out from a
hard day. Some people were talking on the veranda outside her window, and
she heard one say:</p>

<p>&ldquo;The girl can look really stunning.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Exactly. I don't understand where she gets her looks, for her
parents are&mdash;impossible. Wouldn't you <i>know</i> what they
were?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie needed no clearer indication of who was under discussion.
Instinctive resentment at the reference to her father and mother was
followed by amazement, delight, at the compliment to herself &mdash;the
first she had ever received. She leaned forward, straining to hear more.
What mattered it how these contemptuous outsiders referred to her
parents? They agreed that she was &ldquo;stunning,&rdquo; which was their
way of saying that she was pretty, nay, more &mdash;beautiful,
perhaps.</p>

<p>&ldquo;She's a glorious rider,&rdquo; the first speaker was saying.
&ldquo;She passed me the other day, going like sin, with her face blazing
and that big, lively chestnut running flat. The way she took that curve
above the Devil's Slide brought my heart into my mouth.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The breathless eavesdropper felt a hot wave of delight pour over her,
her very flesh seemed to ripple like the fur of a cat when it is
stroked.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, she's a picture, mounted! Seems to have complete confidence
in herself; and the strength of a giantess, too. But&mdash;my God! when
she's on her feet! And have you heard her talk?&rdquo; Evidently the
other speaker had, for there came the sound of low laughter, a sound that
stabbed Allie Briskow like a bayonet and left her white and furious. She
sat motionless for a long time, and something told her that as long as
she lived she would never forget, never forgive, that laughter.</p>

<p>She was unusually silent and somber for the next three or four days;
she went through her exercises without vim; at her studies she was both
stupid and sullen. When Mrs. Ring's patience was exhausted and her frayed
nerves finally gave out, Allie rounded upon her with a violence
unparalleled. Those previous exhibitions of temper were tame as compared
with this one; the girl spat scorn and bitterness and hatred; she became
a volcano in active eruption.</p>

<p>In a panic Mrs. Ring sought out Gus Briskow and again resigned. By
this time, however, the novelty of her resignation had largely worn off,
for seldom did more than two weeks elapse without a hysterical threat to
quit. But this one required more than the usual amount of persuasion, and
it was not without long and patient pleading, coupled with the periodical
raise, that the father induced her to change her mind. Gus told himself
somberly that the price of Allegheny's education was mounting so rapidly
that it might be the part of economy to take Mrs. Ring in as a full
partner in the Briskow oil wells. He decided, after some consideration,
to wire Calvin Gray and offer to pay his traveling expenses if he would
come to Burlington Notch for a few days.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_15">CHAPTER XIV</a></h3>

<p>One accomplishment that Allegheny mastered with gratifying ease was
dancing. It came naturally to her, for both she and Buddy were full of
music. At first she had been extremely self-conscious; Professor
Delamater had found her to be as heavy as stone and as awkward as a bear;
but later, as her embarrassment became less painful, she relaxed. She
regained her power of speech, also, and in time she voiced an eager
desire to learn all there was to learn.</p>

<p>Having quickly schooled her in the simpler forms of ballroom dancing,
Delamater suggested a course in the deeper intricacies of fancy
dancing.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're getting on,&rdquo; he told her, one day. &ldquo;That
last was splendid&mdash;top hole, absolutely.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Delamater, who was quite thoroughly American, affected at times an
English turn to his conversation, believing that it gave him an air. It
went particularly well, he thought, with light trousers, spats, and an
afternoon coat cut close at the waist.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't fool me,&rdquo; panted the red-faced Juno. &ldquo;You
must have iron feet.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My word! Spoof you, indeed! Not for worlds, if you know what I
mean? I shall expect to see you in the ballroom every evening.&rdquo;</p>

<p>But Allie's confidence forsook her at this. &ldquo;I'd&mdash;be scared
stiff. Folks would laugh. They haven't got&mdash;haven't anything to do
but laugh at other folks, and I don't like to be laughed at.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Laugh at you! Fancy that! You're too modest.&rdquo; Delamater
adopted the cooing note of a dove. &ldquo;'Pon my word, you're too
modest. If you could hear the things I hear&mdash;&rdquo; He paused, not
knowing exactly what to say he had heard, but his vagueness, the very
eloquence of his hesitation, caused Allie's face to light up. This was
the second compliment paid her since her arrival at the Notch, therefore
when the phonograph resumed its melodious measures she yielded herself
with abandon to the arms of her partner, and her red lips were parted,
her somber eyes were shining. That day she began a course of exhibition
dancing.</p>

<p>It was on that afternoon that Delamater had told the clerk of
discovering Ma Briskow alone in the woods. There was an open golf
tournament at the Notch, prominent amateurs and professionals were
competing, and the hotel was crowded to its capacity with players,
fashionable followers of the game and a small army of society reporters
and sport writers. This being the height of the season, social doings at
the resort were featured in all the large Eastern papers, for famous
names were on the register and the hotel switch was jammed with private
cars.</p>

<p>Allie Briskow was in one of her trying moods to-day, for the
out-of-doors called to her. Sounds of laughter and gayety, strains of
music, had distracted her from her studies, her monotonous routine had
become hopelessly unbearable all at once. From her window she could see
young people, hear young voices, and envy flamed in her soul. Those girls
were her age; those men, easy, immaculate, different from anything she
had ever seen&mdash;except Calvin Gray &mdash;they, too, were young and
they courted those girls. Contemplation of the chattering throngs showed
Allie more clearly than ever the chasm separating her from these people,
and reawakened in her that black resentment which at times made her so
difficult to manage. She was thankful that her mother had disappeared and
that her father was at the livery stable; she hoped they would stay away
all day. At least, they were safe from ridicule. She wondered if she
might not induce them to dine in their rooms that evening, and thus spare
herself the embarrassment she always suffered when she accompanied them
into the public dining room.</p>

<p>It seemed to her that whenever they went to dinner&mdash;Gus in his
baggy pepper-and-salt sack suit, his loose, lay-down collar, and his
wide-toed shoes, Ma in one of her giddy, gaudy dinner dresses &mdash;it
seemed as if the entire assemblage was stricken dumb and as if every eye
was turned upon them in mockery and amusement. Even the waiters, Allie
felt sure, noted the difference between the Briskows and the other
guests, and only with difficulty concealed their contempt.</p>

<p>The occasional presence of Mrs. Ring, handsome, dignified, unruffled,
intensified that contrast and fairly shouted the humiliating announcement
that here were three nobodies who wanted to be somebodies, but never
could.</p>

<p>Invariably when they went out in public together Mrs. Ring made Allie
feel as if she belonged to a lower, cruder order of animal life; as if
she were an inhabitant of another sphere. And yet, Mrs. Ring was poor;
she worked for wages! Allie could not understand this phenomenon; thought
of it now caused her resentment to kindle.</p>

<p>Of course it was the lot of the hapless tutoress to select such a
moment as this in which to sweetly chide the girl for some lapse of form.
Allie exploded. She reduced the elder woman to tears, then, ashamed of
herself, she flung blindly out of the room, crashing the door to behind
her. She decided to dance her anger away. It was some consolation to know
that she could dance as well, or better, than those slim and pampered
beauties outside her window. Some consolation, even though she never
expected to have a chance of proving it.</p>

<p>Delamater was especially agreeable to-day, more than usually
nattering. Not for some time did his scholar become conscious of the
subtle change in his demeanor, and even then its significance awoke only
a shadowy contentment. Allie hated herself too thoroughly to-day to
believe that anybody could really approve of her. As for him, he entirely
misconstrued the meaning of her silent acceptance of his flattery.</p>

<p>They had become well acquainted by now and were on a basis of easy
familiarity, nevertheless it came as a shock to Allie to be called by her
first name-such a shock that she missed a step and trod on Delamater's
foot. They came to a pause.</p>

<p>The dancing master was tall and slim, his face was on a level with
hers, and now he smiled into it, saying, &ldquo;My mistake, my
dear.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;reckon it was.&rdquo; The girl's eyes were glowing
queerly, and the man was amused at her evident agitation. His first word
had thrown the poor thing into a flurry.</p>

<p>They began to dance again, and, after a moment, with a gently rising
inflection, Delamater murmured, &ldquo;You heard what I called
you?&rdquo; He approved of the sachet that Allie used, and he became
acutely conscious of the jewels resting in the palm of his left hand. The
girl was rich and she was&mdash;different, unusual. Ever since she had
learned to yield herself to his embrace, he had been conscious of her
strong physical attraction, and now it got the better of him. &ldquo;You
don't care?&rdquo; he said, with his lips close to her ear.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Humph! I'm not caring for anything or anybody
to-day.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Somebody has hurt my little girl.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie threw back her head and stared at him with quick suspicion.
&ldquo;Your little girl?&rdquo; she repeated.</p>

<p>It is the lot of any man in the heat of his desire to make mistakes,
and Delamater erred gravely at this moment. He kissed Allie. Without
warning he kissed her full and fair upon her red, half-open lips.</p>

<p>For the briefest instant of amazement the two stood motionless in the
middle of the polished floor while the phonograph brayed on; then Allie
shook herself free of her partner, and in the same movement she smote him
a mighty slap that sent him reeling. Delamater saw stars. The
constellation of Orion gleamed in dazzling splendor within his tightly
shut lids; he collided with a chair and went sprawling.</p>

<p>With a cry he scrambled to his feet. &ldquo;What the
hell&mdash;?&rdquo; he growled, savagely.</p>

<p>Allie's face was chalky. Breathlessly, curiously she inquired,
&ldquo;Wha'd you do that for?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What did I <i>do</i> it for? Say! You ought to be complimented
&mdash;tickled to death.&rdquo; Delamater rubbed his cheek and glared at
her. &ldquo;By God! I wish you were a man. Oh, don't worry, I won't touch
you again! Who the hell would, after that?&rdquo; Allie opened her lips
to speak, but he ran on more angrily as the pain bit into him.
&ldquo;Thought I meant it, eh? Why, you lumbering ox&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then you ain't&mdash;in love with me or&mdash;or
anything?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Love</i>?&rdquo; The speaker uttered an unpleasant sound
indicative of scorn. &ldquo;Wake up, sister! What d'you take me for? Why,
your mother talks bird talk, and your dad lives in a box stall and eats
oats with his knife! Here I kid you along a little bit&mdash;slip you a
little kiss, as I would any girl, and you&mdash;you&mdash;&rdquo;
Delamater stuttered impotently. &ldquo;<i>Love</i>? I guess I'm the first
regular fellow that ever gave you a chance.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Delamater was surprised when his pupil turned her back upon him,
strode to the nearest window, and flung it open as if for air; his
surprise deepened when she faced him again and moved in his direction.
Her expression caused him to utter a profane warning, but she continued
to bear down upon him, and when she reached out to seize him he struck at
her as he would have struck at a man.</p>

<p>To those who are familiar with Burlington Notch, it will be remembered
that the hotel is pitched upon a slope and that the rooms on the first
floor of the east wing are raised a considerable distance above the lawn.
The windows of these east rooms overlook the eighteenth green, and during
tournaments they are favorite vantage points of golf widows and
enthusiasts who are too old to follow the competitors around the course.
To-day they were filled, for an international title was at issue and
Herring, prince of amateurs, was playing off the final round of his match
with the dour Scotch professional, McLeod.</p>

<p>A highly enthusiastic &ldquo;gallery&rdquo; accompanied the pair, a
crowd composed not only of spectators, but also of officials, defeated
players, newspaper writers, camera men, caddies, and the like. They
streamed up the final fairway behind the gladiators and for the moment
they were enveloped in gloom, for Herring had sliced off the seventeenth
tee and a marvelous recovery, together with a good approach, had still
left his ball on the edge of the green, while McLeod, man of iron, had
laid his third shot within three feet of the flag. It meant a sure four
for the latter, with not less than a five for Herring. One of those
golfing miracles, a forty-foot putt, would halve the match, to be sure,
but in tournament golf miracles have a way of occurring on any except the
deciding hole.</p>

<p>Sympathy usually follows the amateur, therefore it was a silent throng
that ranged itself about the gently undulating expanse of velvet sod in
the shadow of the east wing. Herring had played a wonderful match; he
stood for all that is clean and fine in golf. The end of the balcony was
jammed; nearly every window framed eager faces; amid a breathless
intensity of interest the youthful contender tested the turf with the
head of his club and studied the run of the green. A moment, then he took
his stance and swung his putter smoothly. The ball sped away, taking a
curving course, and followed by five hundred pairs of eyes. It ran too
swiftly! Herring, in desperation, had overplayed! But no&mdash;it lost
momentum as it topped a rise, then gathered speed, all but died at the
edge of the cup and&mdash;toppled in amid a salvo of handclaps and roar
of &ldquo;Bravo!&rdquo;</p>

<p>That was nerve, courage, skill! That was golf! The miracle had
happened! Another hole to decide the match.</p>

<p>Quickly the crowd became still again as McLeod, his teeth set upon the
stem of his pipe, his stony face masking a murderous disappointment,
stepped forward to run down his four.</p>

<p>The silence was broken by a cry. Out of the air overhead came the
sound of a disturbance, and every face turned. A most amazing thing was
in the way of happening, a phenomenon unique in the history of
tournaments, for a man was being thrust forth from one of the hotel
windows, perhaps twenty-five feet above the ground&mdash;a writhing,
struggling, kicking man with fawn-colored spats. He was being ejected
painlessly but firmly, and by a girl&mdash;a grim-faced young woman of
splendid proportions. For a moment she allowed him to dangle; then she
dropped him into a handsome Dorothy Perkins rosebush. He landed with a
shriek. Briefly the amazon remained framed in the casement, staring with
dark defiance down into the upturned faces; her deep bosom was heaving,
her smoky hair was slightly disarranged; she allowed her eyes to rest
upon the figure entangled among the thorns beneath her, then she closed
the window.</p>

<p>Nothing like this had ever occurred in Scotland. The mighty McLeod
missed his putt and took a five.</p>

<p>As Allie Briskow passed through the lobby with her head erect and her
fists clenched, she heard the sound of a great shouting outside and she
believed it was directed at her. She fled into her room and flung herself
upon her bed, sobbing hoarsely.</p>

<p>Mrs. Ring was waiting on the veranda for Gus Briskow when he returned
to the hotel about dark. He had learned to dread the sight of her on that
veranda, for it was her favorite resigning place&mdash;what Gus called
her &ldquo;quitting spot,&rdquo; and it was evident to- night that she
was in a quitting mood, a mood more hysterical than ever before. It was
some time before he could get at the facts, and even then he could not
fully appreciate the enormity of the disgrace that had overwhelmed
Allie's instructress.</p>

<p>&ldquo;She chucked the dancin' teacher out of a winder?&rdquo; he
repeated, blankly. &ldquo;What for?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Goodness knows, Mr. Briskow! Something he said, or did&mdash;I
couldn't make out precisely. I found her in a dreadful state, and I tried
to comfort her, I did really, but&mdash;oh! If you could have
<i>heard</i> her! Where she learned such language I don't know. My ears
<i>burn</i>! But that isn't the worst; you should hear
what&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He must of said something pretty low down.&rdquo; Briskow spoke
quietly; his bright blue eyes were hard. &ldquo;I reckon she'll tell
me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You don't understand,&rdquo; chattered the woman. &ldquo;She
flung the man bodily out of the window and into a bed of thorns. It
nearly killed him; he was painfully lacerated and bruised and&mdash;Right
in the middle of a golf game! It did something dreadful&mdash;I don't
know what&mdash;just as the world's champion caught the ball, or
something.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If he's crippled I'll get him that much easier,&rdquo; said
Briskow, and at the purposeful expression upon his weather-beaten face
Mrs. Ring uttered a faint bleat of terror. She pawed at him as he
undertook to pass her.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, my heavens! What are you going to do?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Depends on what he said to Allie.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The woman wrung her hands. &ldquo;What people!
What&mdash;<i>savages</i>! You're &mdash;going to shoot him, I suppose,
just because&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes'm!&rdquo; the father nodded. &ldquo;You got it right, motif
an' all. 'Just because'!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You <i>can't</i>. I sha'n't permit it. I&mdash;I'll call the
police.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't do that, ma'am. I've stood a lot from you, in one way or
another.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;But it's <i>murder</i>! You&mdash;you can't mean it.&rdquo;
Moans issued from the speaker. &ldquo;What <i>ever</i> possessed me to
accept this position? It's unendurable, and I'll be
involved&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've saw your last raise, Miz' Ring.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do you think I'd stay, after this? It's bad enough to be made
ridiculous&mdash;the whole hotel is in laughter; laughter at me, I dare
say, as much as at her. Imagine! Hurling a full-grown man from a
window&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't hear nobody laughing.&rdquo; Briskow swung his head
slowly from side to side.</p>

<p>&ldquo;But to contemplate murder&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's more, I don't intend to hear nobody laugh. By God! Now I
come to think about it, there ain't a-goin' to be no laughing at all
around here.&rdquo; Gus continued slowly to swing his head, like a bear.
&ldquo;She's my kid!&rdquo; He pushed past Mrs. Ring, still muttering,
&ldquo;My kid&mdash;there ain't a-goin' to be no laughing at
all.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Going directly to the desk, he asked for the manager, then stood
aside, hat in hand, until the latter made his appearance. The manager
began a hasty and rather mixed apology on behalf of the hotel for what
had occurred in the dancing room, but his tone of annoyance was an
accusation in itself. It was plain that, to his mind, the catastrophe on
the eighteenth green outweighed in importance whatever may have led up to
it. That was something actually tragic, something frightful, appalling;
it involved the good name of the hotel and affected the world's golf
title.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Very&mdash;unfortunate,&rdquo; he lamented. &ldquo;We haven't
heard the last of it, by any means. McLeod may file a protest. And there
is something to be said on both sides; rather a nice question, in
fact.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Prob'ly so,&rdquo; the father agreed. &ldquo;An' I got
something to say about it, too. Get that dancin' perfessor off the place
quick or I'll kill him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The manager recoiled; his startled eyes searched Briskow's face
incredulously. &ldquo;I&mdash;beg pardon?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I 'ain't heard my kid's side of the story yet, but I'm goin' to
see her now, so you better get word to that jumpin' jack in a hurry. That
is, if you want to save him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He is discharged, of course, for we tolerate no rudeness on the
part of our employees&mdash;or our guests, for that matter; but I believe
he is suffering some effects from the shock. I couldn't well ask him to
go before&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It'll take me prob'ly twenty minutes, talkin' to my girl.
That'll give him time, if he moves fast. But I may get through in
fifteen.&rdquo;</p>

<p>At the door to his suite Gus Briskow paused to wipe his countenance
clean of the expression it had worn for the last few minutes, and when he
entered it was with his usual friendly smile. Allie and her mother were
waiting; they were white and silent. Gus kissed his daughter before
saying:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't worry, honey; he won't bother you no more.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie averted her face. Mrs. Briskow inquired, &ldquo;Did you see the
skunk?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No. I give him a few minutes to clear out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hadn't we better leave, too?&rdquo; ventured Allie.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh-h!&rdquo; In Ma's eyes was such bleak dismay, such a piteous
appeal, that Gus shook his head.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What fer? We got nice quarters and your ma likes it
here&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;They're laughing at me. I heard 'em hollering.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;They won't laugh long. No, you're learnin' fast, and we're all
havin' a nice time. Only one thing&mdash;I'm kinda tired of that Miz'
Ring. I let her go, but I'll get you another&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She quit, eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m, not exactly. I&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't blame her. I've been mighty mean. But I couldn't help
it, pa. When you put a wild horse in a pen, it don't do to prod him and
throw things and&mdash;That's what they've done to me. I bite and kick
like any bronc. When you're hurt, constant, you get spells when you've
got to hurt back. I've been rotten to her, and now this coming on top of
it&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Wha'd that dancin' dude do, anyhow?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie related her experience with Professor Delamater; she told it all
up to the burst of shouting that followed her through the lobby.
&ldquo;You should of heard 'em yelling, clapping their hands&mdash;!
I&rdquo;&mdash;she choked, her voice failed her, miserably she
concluded&mdash;&ldquo;I wish to God we'd never struck oil!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're just wore out, dearie,&rdquo; her mother said,
comfortingly, and Briskow agreed. He assured her that all would be
well.</p>

<p>All was not well, however. The next morning when Gus Briskow was about
to leave the hotel as usual&mdash;Professor Delamater having departed
hurriedly the evening before with fully four minutes of his twenty to
spare&mdash;he was stopped by the manager, who requested him to give up
his rooms. The Texan was bewildered; he could not understand the reason
for such a request.</p>

<p>&ldquo;'Ain't I paid my bills?&rdquo; he queried.</p>

<p>The manager assured him that he had; he was profoundly regretful, as a
matter of fact; but it so happened that the Briskow suite had been
reserved early in the season, and the party who had made the reservation
had just wired that he was arriving that day. He was a gentleman of
importance&mdash;it was indeed unfortunate&mdash;the management
appreciated Mr. Briskow's patronage&mdash;they hoped he and his family
would return to the Notch sometime.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mebbe you got some other rooms that would do us,&rdquo; Gus
ventured.</p>

<p>It was too bad, but the hotel was overcrowded. Later, perhaps&mdash;
Now at that very moment the lobby was filled with tournament golfers who
were leaving on the morning train, and Briskow knew it. He studied the
speaker with an expression that caused the latter extreme discomfort; it
was much the same expression he had worn the night before when he had
served warning upon Delamater.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lemme get this right,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You can talk
straight to me. Bein' ignerunt, I 'ain't got the same feelin's as these
other folks got. I got a shell like a land turtle.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is quite customary, I assure you. No offense, my dear
sir.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's how I figgered! Just bouncin' a low-down var mint ain't
offense enough to be throwed out about, when you pay your
bills&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You quite misapprehend&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Fired, eh? It 'll go hard with Ma. She's gainin' here, and she
likes it. That's why I never told her you was chargin' us about double
what you charge these rich folks.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The manager stiffened. &ldquo;I regret exceedingly, sir, that you take
it this way. But there is nothing more to be said, is there?&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was with a heavy heart and a heavy tread that Briskow returned to
his room. Ma took the announcement like a death blow, for it meant the
end of all her dreams, all her joyous games of &ldquo;pretend.&rdquo; Her
mountains&mdash;those clean, green, friendly mountains that she loved
with a passion so intense that she fairly ached &mdash;those and her
caves, her waterfalls, her gypsy band, were to be taken from her. She was
to be banished, exiled.</p>

<p>She did not weep a great deal, but she seemed suddenly to grow older
and more bent. Listlessly, laboriously she began to pack, and her husband
noticed with a pang that her hands shook wretchedly.</p>

<p>As for Allie, she told herself that this was the end. She had tried to
make something of herself and had failed. She had crucified herself; she
had bled her body and scourged her soul only to gain ridicule and
disgrace. There was no use of trying further; Gray had been mistaken in
her, and her misery, her shame at the realization was intolerable. There
was no facing him, after this.</p>

<p>Allie decided to do away with herself.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_16">CHAPTER XV</a></h3>

<p>Gus Briskow was waiting at the cashier's desk for his bill when the
bustle of incoming guests told him that the morning train had arrived.
Probably it had brought that &ldquo;gentleman of importance&rdquo; to
whom the manager had referred. &ldquo;To hell with people like that
manager!&rdquo; the Texan muttered. He would take his family back home
and chance no more humiliations like this. And to think that he had
allowed that dancing monkey to escape when he could have shot him as well
as not!</p>

<p>Briskow's chain of thought was broken by a slap on the back that
nearly drove him through the cashier's window; then by a loud, cheery
greeting. The next moment he found himself actually embraced by&mdash;Gus
could not believe his eyes&mdash;by Calvin Gray!</p>

<p>The latter's affectionate greeting, his frank delight at seeing the
Texan, caused people in the lobby to center amused attention upon them,
and induced those behind the desk to regard Briskow with new respect.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Gus! You precious pirate! My, but I'm glad to see you! Ma and
Allie are well, I know; they couldn't be otherwise here. Great place,
isn't it? Nothing in this country or Europe that compares with it, and
I've sent dozens of my friends here. I came north on business and
couldn't bear to go back without seeing you. Come! Give me a welcome, for
I've traveled across three states to get here.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The two stood hand in hand. Gray beamed approvingly. Gus, too, was
smiling, but earnestly he said, &ldquo;I'm right glad to see you, Mr.
Gray, for we're in trouble.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Trouble? What sort? Not illness?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No. We're leavin'&mdash;been throwed out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The younger man's face sobered. &ldquo;Don't joke!&rdquo; he cried,
sharply.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I ain't joking. Feller insulted Allie and she throwed him out
of a window&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Exactly! It's in the morning paper.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;They don't seem to think it was reefined, so they&mdash;throwed
<i>us</i> out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nonsense! Why, it is a corking story, and Allie was
splendid&mdash;she gave the championship to Herring, who deserved it,
thereby delighting every golfer on this side of the Atlantic. Jove! that
girl is developing and I'm going to hug her&mdash;if there's no window
handy! Throw you out? Why, there's some mistake, surely!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Briskow shook his head; in greater detail he made known the facts.
When he had finished his halting recital Calvin Gray's face was flushed
with anger, there was a dark frown between his eyes.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We'll see!&rdquo; he muttered. &ldquo;Wait here&mdash;or go
back and tell Ma to commence unpacking.&rdquo; Then he was gone.</p>

<p>For perhaps ten minutes Gus waited nervously; he was amazed finally to
see Gray approaching arm in arm with the manager; both were laughing, the
hotel man's face was radiant with good humor. To the departing guest he
said, genially:</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are not going to leave us, after all, Mr. Briskow. On the
contrary, we are going to keep you at the Notch as long as you'll stay.
Stupid misunderstanding on my part, and I apologize. I'm going to ask you
to move, but into a better suite&mdash;the very best one we have. And the
rate will be the same. Come! What do you say?&rdquo; When he was met by a
stammered protest, he insisted forcefully: &ldquo;I sha'n't take 'no' for
an answer, my dear sir; we simply refuse to let you leave. The best we
have is yours, and I guarantee that you will be made
comfortable.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He offered to extend you the courtesies of the house&mdash;make
you guests of the hotel,&rdquo; Gray added, &ldquo;but I knew you
wouldn't accept.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Dunno's I want to stay at all,&rdquo; Gus murmured, angrily.
&ldquo;We ain't no better'n we was a half hour ago.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;To be sure, but I've made you better known. You are too shy;
you didn't afford my friend here the pleasure of making your
acquaintance, and I had to tell him the sort of person you really are.
Serves you right, Gus, for being so exclusive. Gad! I think I'll give you
a few lessons in democracy. Now then, come along! I'm dying to see
Ma.&rdquo;</p>

<p>As the father trotted down the hall beside his swiftly striding
deliverer, he gasped, &ldquo;How'd you do it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing simpler. I merely showed Mr. What's-his-name that he
was making an ass of himself. I've spent a fortune here; know the owners,
too. Nice chap, that manager, but he has no business running a hotel, and
I so informed him. He'll probably annoy you to death with his attentions.
He'll let you play 'shinny' in the halls if you want to.
Now&mdash;wait!&rdquo; The speaker laid a finger upon his lips; his eyes
were dancing. He knocked sharply at the Briskow door and cried,
&ldquo;Baggage ready, ma'am?&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a stir from within, the door was slowly opened by a bent,
pathetic figure of grief.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ma!&rdquo; Gray cried, and he held out his arms.</p>

<p>Perhaps it was his virile personality radiating confidence, security,
or perhaps it was Gus Briskow's shining face that told the story;
whatever the fact, Ma Briskow uttered a thin, broken wail, then walked
into those open arms and laid her head upon Gray's breast. She clung to
him eagerly and the tears she had been blinking so hard to restrain
flowed silently.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh-n-h! We ain't goin'away!&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We
ain't&mdash;goin' away!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course not. Gus misunderstood. The manager merely wanted you
to move&mdash;into a larger, finer suite, and he is positively distressed
at the thought of your leaving. The poor man is dashing about collecting
an armful of roses for you and Allie. He wants to come in person and
apologize.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was another sound and Gray looked up to see Allie standing in
the doorway to her bedroom; with one hand she clutched the jamb, the
other was pressed to her bosom; she was staring at him as at an
apparition. The girl was quite colorless, there was a look almost of
fright in her eyes, and when he came toward her she swayed weakly. Her
hands, when he took them, were icy; it shocked him to see how worn, how
weary she had grown.</p>

<p>It was several hours later. In the parlor of the new suite, a
spacious, sunny room, fragrant with flowers and cheerful with brilliant
cretonnes, Gray and Briskow were talking. Allie and her mother could be
seen in their bedrooms putting away the last of their belongings. Gray's
eyes had been drawn, at frequent intervals, to the younger woman, for the
change in her became the more amazing the more he observed her, and he
was still striving to reconcile this creature to the picture he had held
in his mind. In a few months Allie had become almost a stranger to him.
It was a marked and yet a subtle change that had come over her; she was
anything but a polished young woman, of course; nevertheless she had been
modified, toned down, vastly improved, and not until her first queer
emotion at seeing him had disappeared was the full extent of that
improvement manifest to the newcomer. He wondered why she had acted so
oddly at first; surely she did not fear him. No, Allie's face at this
moment was alight with supreme joy and satisfaction; she appeared to be
quite as happily at her ease as Ma, who was singing steadily in a thin,
rusty voice.</p>

<p>Gray sent the father away on some pretext, finally; then he called to
Allie: &ldquo;Come in here and talk to me. I am a guest and I demand
entertainment.&rdquo; He observed with silent approval her carriage as
she entered the room and accepted the chair he offered her. Faint trace
of the nester's daughter here. &ldquo;I want a good chance to look at
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie colored faintly. &ldquo;I guess I'm not much to look
at.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hm-m! You don't in the least resemble that girl I found hoeing
in the garden. You are terribly thin.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Spinach!&rdquo; said Allie.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Dieting, eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes. Spinach and water and a rubber suit. Sometimes I have a
party and eat a whole soda cracker.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It isn't too high a price to pay for beauty&mdash;beauty, 'the
fading rainbow's pride.' We men should thank Heaven for women's courage
in pursuing it. It is all that makes this world an attractive dwelling
place for nice people.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sometimes I think it's kind of wicked to spend so much time and
money that way, but&mdash;I guess it's all right. I want to look as good
as other people.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm in a mood for quotations. 'Is beauty vain because it will
fade? Then are earth's green robe and heaven's light vain.' Pride, even
vanity, is less of a vice than slovenliness, my dear. Now then, do you
like Mrs. Ring?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie nodded. &ldquo;I like her, but&mdash;I hate her. She makes me
feel awful mad because she can't understand that I ain't&mdash;I am not
mad at her, but at myself. I don't hardly know how to explain it. If I
was her I'd hate me, like I do.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Would you like to have her remain?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I would! She knows everything, and she makes me learn. But
she won't stay. I just found out that she's been quitting every few
weeks, and Pa's been raising her wages. No, the disgrace, and our being
thrown out&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My dear girl, let me assure you, once for all, there is no
suggestion of disgrace about this affair. You behaved with spirit, and
those who have heard about it admire you. I have talked with a number of
them, and I know. I had a talk with Mrs. Ring also, and she will remain
if you wish her to do so.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're a&mdash;a good man, ain't&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Aren't!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;&mdash;aren't you, Mr. Gray? You fix everything.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not a good, but a convenient man. My specialty is making things
easier for my friends.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Are these other folks, these rich ones around the hotel, like
you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, much nicer than I!&rdquo; Gray laughed. &ldquo;You must
meet some of them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie's face whitened at this suggestion. &ldquo;Please, sir&mdash;I'm
scared!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Very well. As you wish. Tell me, what are you going to do with
me this afternoon?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dunno!&rdquo; Allie looked blank. &ldquo;I don't do anything
but study. I s'pose I got to study.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing of the sort. You have circles under your eyes now from
overwork, and this is your vacation. I am a visitor, a restless visitor;
I abhor being asked to make myself at home, and I never do. I demand
amusement. Do you know what I'd like to do best of all?&rdquo; Allie did
not know. &ldquo;I'd like to sit here and smoke while you show me all
your pretty dresses. Ah! Those dark eyes brighten. You're dying to show
them to me, aren't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Would</i> you? Honest?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Cross my heart. But remember, I have a color sense and I'm not
easily pleased. I'll probably condemn some of them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie breathed deeply. &ldquo;Oh, Gee!&rdquo; she said.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Run along and try them on, then I'll borrow a pair of puttees
and we'll go for a ride.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For the next two hours Allegheny Briskow was in heaven. Never had she
dreamed of anything like this. To have Calvin Gray alone, all to
herself&mdash;Ma, as usual, had disappeared&mdash;and to discuss with him
exciting questions of dress and good taste that she could not discuss
with her own people; to meet his occasional hearty approval&mdash;well,
it was enough to make a girl drunk with happiness. Gowns that he liked
became precious; she hated those that he condemned. Her fingers grew
clumsy with haste, her cheeks burned. He said she wore her clothes well,
that she carried herself well. He approved of her&mdash;liked her! God
above! And to think that she had contemplated suicide! Of course she was
pitifully ignorant as yet, and she had not even learned to talk as he
talked, but there were books. She would study. Oh, the fury with which
she would apply herself after this! She would beat the contents of those
books into her head with her fists, if necessary; she would show him how
fast she could learn; she would astonish him. Her heart sang at the
thought that she was rich &mdash;richer than he. That would count, too,
for men liked money.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where is Ma?&rdquo; Gray inquired, when the last gown had been
paraded and when Allie appeared in her riding suit.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Out with the fairies, I suppose. She won't tell Pa or me where
she goes or what she does&mdash;says it's all foolishness.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Perhaps she will tell me, for I believe in fairies,&rdquo; Gray
said, seriously.</p>

<p>Allie smiled at him. &ldquo;I reckon she will. Folks tell you 'most
anything you want them to, I reckon.&rdquo;</p>

<p>This was the busiest hour of the afternoon. Gray had purposely ordered
the horses sent around at a time when he knew that the veranda, the
walks, and the tennis courts would be filled, for ever since his
interview with the hotel manager a plan had been shaping in his mind and
already he had dropped a few words, a hint or two here and there, that
were calculated to stimulate interest in Allie Briskow.</p>

<p>It gratified his craving for the theatric now to lead the girl out
before so many curious eyes. For himself, he knew that he commanded
attention, and as he noted the lines of this young Juno he could find
nothing in her that needed betterment. Allie's suit was the latest,
smartest thing in riding habits, and it set off her magnificent figure as
nothing else could. Systematic exercise and hard work, like the final
touch of a skilled sculptor, had given it beauty and refinement; harmony
and proportion had destroyed the impression of unusual size. How deep was
her bosom, how smooth and flowing were her curves, how superbly tall she
was! As a thing of flesh and blood, she made these other women look like
females of an insignificant race.</p>

<p>It thrilled him pleasantly to observe the confidence with which she
swung herself into the saddle and the instant mastery she exercised over
her restless mount. No timidity there, no need of assistance; no absurd,
hampering skirts and artificial posture, either, but a seat astride as
befits anyone who chooses to honor the king of four-footed creatures.</p>

<p>Under cover, Gray noted Allie's effect upon her attentive audience,
and he smiled. If only he could spend a few days here he would make her a
woman to be sought after by some of the best people. She refused to meet
them, eh? Well, that would be as it was to be.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We've been having supper in our rooms lately,&rdquo; she told
him, when they returned at dark. &ldquo;You're going to eat with us,
ain&mdash;aren't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I am, to be sure. But not in your rooms,&rdquo; he
declared.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd rather&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'd rather do exactly what would please me, now wouldn't
you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then run along and put on that dinner dress that I liked best.
And tell Ma to look her prettiest, too. We'll not spoil this
day.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was seven-thirty when Gray, in evening clothes, appeared at the
Briskow suite. Allie told herself there had never been a man so handsome,
so distinguished, so Godlike as he. God, she now felt sure, must wear
full dress.</p>

<p>Gus Briskow beamed as the visitor smiled approvingly at his daughter.
&ldquo;She is purty, ain't she? Don't look much like the girl I sent to
Dallas for fixin's.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Allie is more then pretty, she's regal. 'Such another peerless
queen only could her mirror show.' But&mdash;her head is turned already,
Gus. Don't spoil her.&rdquo; The speaker stood with arms folded and head
lowered while he studied the girl impersonally. Allie wore an expensive
black lace dress, sleeveless and sufficiently low of neck to display her
charms. &ldquo;Plain! A little too somber,&rdquo; Gray declared.
&ldquo;She can afford colors, ornaments. Jove! I'd like some time to see
her in something Oriental, something barbaric. The next time I'm in New
York I'll select a gown&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ma Briskow entered at the moment, greatly flustered and extremely
self-conscious, and here, certainly, was no lack of ornamentation or of
color. Ma wore all her jewelry, and her dress was an elaborate creation
of brilliant jade green, from one shoulder of which depended a filmy
streamer of green chiffon. In her desire to gild the lily she had knotted
a Roman scarf about her waist&mdash;a scarf of many colors, of red, of
yellow, of purple, of blue, of orange&mdash;a very spectrum of vivid
stripes, and it utterly ruined her. It lent her an air of extreme
superfluity; it was as if she had put on everything except the
bedspread.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You said to look my nicest,&rdquo; she bubbled, &ldquo;so I
done the best I could.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You <i>are</i> lovely, both of you, but&mdash;this is my party,
isn't it? I can do anything I please?&rdquo; Gray looked from one to the
other in eager inquiry. &ldquo;Then let me fix you my way. Ma Briskow,
your face is too sweet, too gentle, to be spoiled. Your charm is in your
simplicity. Here, I have it!&rdquo;</p>

<p>With swift impetuosity he untied the scarf and whipped it from Ma's
waist. &ldquo;Watch me now and you'll see I'm right.&rdquo; With his
penknife he cut the threads that held the chiffon streamer in place and
removed it. &ldquo;<i>Voila</i>! Even so little, and we see an adorable
motherly person, richly but unostentatiously gowned. Don't you agree with
me?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Without pausing for an answer, he wheeled upon the daughter and drew
her into the range of a pier glass. &ldquo;Now close your eyes and keep
them closed.&rdquo; Around Allie's hips he flung the scarf, drew it snug
and smooth, then knotted it. Next he snatched the length of chiffon and
bound it about her head. His touch was deft and certain; a moment and it
had been fashioned to suit him. Then he stood back and eyed the<i>tout
ensemble.</i></p>

<p>&ldquo;Gorgeous!&rdquo; he cried, genuinely enthusiastic. &ldquo;That
was the touch. I defy any costumer to better it. Open your eyes, oh,
gypsy princess! And what do you see?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&mdash;it sort of makes a difference, doesn't it?&rdquo;
Allie said. &ldquo;'A<i>difference'!</i>&rdquo; Gray flung aloft his
hands in exaggerated despair. &ldquo;Heaven help me! I am inspired; I
have a flash of genius, a divine impulse, and with a magic pass I work a
miracle. I transform you from something somber, dark, morose, into a
creature of life, of passion, of allurement.&rdquo; He groaned.
&ldquo;And you stand there like a stalagmite. Why, girl, <i>look</i> at
yourself!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Darned if she don't look like a pitcher I seen
som'er's&mdash;on an almanac,&rdquo; Gus declared.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Aha! A man with a soul! A human being who sees beauty where I
see it. An artist with my fire!&rdquo; Gray burst into infectious
laughter, and the others joined him.</p>

<p>This proved to be an evening when people really did turn their heads
as the Briskows were shown to their table, but for once Allie suffered no
embarrassment, for she felt sure they were looking at Calvin Gray, and in
the shining glory of his presence she knew that she and her parents were
invisible.</p>

<p>It was the sort of situation in which Gray appeared to best advantage,
so he talked incessantly during the meal, and in a key that kept his
companions unconscious of their surroundings. On their way out they
passed the entrance to the ballroom and paused to look in. The beat of
the music swayed Allie unconsciously; then, before she knew it, Gray's
arm was around her waist and he was guiding her out upon the floor.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, n-no!&rdquo; she gasped. She stumbled, but he drew her
closer, saying:</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm proud of you, and I want you to show these people that you
dance even better than you ride.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie rose to the challenge.</p>

<p>About midnight Calvin Gray strolled outdoors for a breath of fresh air
before retiring. He glowed with the consciousness of a worthy deed well
done. He had come to the Notch expecting to spend one night, but events
of the last few hours had induced him to change his plans, and he now
made up his mind to stay several days. He was burning to be back in the
oil fields, to be sure; every hour away from them was an hour wasted, and
although he told himself it was his feud that drew him, he knew better.
As a matter of fact, when he thought of Texas it was of Wichita Falls,
and when he visualized the latter place it was to picture a cottage with
the paint off or a small office with the sign, &ldquo;Tom and Bob Parker,
Real Estate and Insurance.&rdquo;</p>

<p>He had been eagerly, selfishly, counting the hours until his return,
but here, it seemed, was work to be done, a task that he alone could
accomplish, and his decision to remain had been made final when Allie
Briskow told him with tremulous earnestness that he had saved her
life&mdash;when she confessed that she had intended to kill herself, and
why.</p>

<p>Naturally Gray had put no faith in that wild declaration, nevertheless
it was plain that the girl&mdash;that all three Briskows &mdash;needed a
friend to guide them. He sighed with resignation, but reflected that,
inasmuch as he had put his hand to the plow, he must turn the furrow.
After all, he could well afford to spare a week to put that girl on the
road to happiness.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_17">CHAPTER XVI</a></h3>

<p>From the day of their first meeting, Henry Nelson and Calvin Gray had
clashed. No two people could be more different in disposition and temper,
hence it was only natural that every characteristic, every action of the
one should have aroused the other's antagonism. Nelson was a cool,
selfish, calculating plodder with little imagination and less
originality; he thought in grooves. His was a splendid type of mind for a
banker. He had but one weak point&mdash;<i>viz</i>., a villainous temper,
a capacity for blind, vindictive rage&mdash;a weakness, truly, for a man
who dealt in money &mdash;but a weakness that lent him a certain humanity
and without which he would have been altogether too mechanical, too
colorless, too efficient. Nature seldom errs by making supermen. A drab
man, in many ways, Nelson was extraordinary mainly in this, that his mind
followed straight, obvious channels, and that never, except under the
urge of extreme passion, did he depart from the strictly logical line of
action. In this, of course, he was superior to the average person, who
too frequently undertakes the unusual. Calvin Gray's ebullience, his
dash, his magnificence of demeanor, could be nothing less than an affront
to such a man; Nelson could see in him only a pompous braggart, an empty,
arrogant strutter.</p>

<p>Age and easy success had not improved the banker's apoplectic turn of
mind, hence Gray's defiant declaration of war, his impudent assurance
that the recent misfortunes to the house of Nelson were the direct
results of his own deliberate efforts, had proven almost unendurable. In
the first place, Nelson could not imagine a man making such a
declaration; it was new to his entire experience and contrary to his
code. It was unconservative, therefore it staggered him. It was, in fact,
a phenomenon so unique as to leave him numb. He told himself that it must
have been the act of a madman or a fool. Under no circumstances could he
conceive of himself warning an enemy of his intentions; on the contrary,
when he undertook to crush a rival he went about it slyly, secretly, in
the only regular and proper way. As a matter of fact, it had come as a
disagreeable surprise to learn that his former comrade at arms cherished
any resentment whatever toward him, for he had thought his tracks were
well covered.</p>

<p>What left the banker actually gasping, however, that which he came
back to with unfailing astonishment, was Gray's effrontery in coming to
Wichita Falls to boast of his accomplishments. That bespoke such
contempt, such supreme self-confidence in his ability to wreak further
damage, that Nelson wanted to shout aloud his rage and his defiance.</p>

<p>Following the departure of his two callers on that day of the meeting
in the bank, Nelson closed his desk and went home. He could work no more.
For several days thereafter he was an unpleasant person to do business
with.</p>

<p>On mature consideration, what amazed him as much as anything else was
the fact that Gray had made good in so short a time and in such a big
way. Evidently, however, it was only another story of a lucky break and
an overnight fortune&mdash;a common occurrence these days. But it was
doubly unfortunate under the circumstances, for already Nelson was
carrying a load equal to his strength, and he told himself that he could
not afford to be distracted, even temporarily, by the irresponsible
actions of a maniac. One never could tell what a madman would do. And
Gray had confessed himself a madman&mdash;a fanatic of the most dangerous
type. There was but one course of action open&mdash;viz., to eliminate
him, destroy him without delay. That was no easy task, even in these
lawless times, but the stakes were too high to permit of half measures.
There must be a way.</p>

<p>One would have to be careful, of course, not to put oneself too much
in the power of unscrupulous people, and, alas! the world was full of
unscrupulous people. It was a pity that people could be so unscrupulous
as to take advantage of a bargain made in good faith. That was blackmail.
However, the prestige of the Nelson name was great, the power of its
money was potent, and Henry believed that he could protect himself from
eventualities. After cautious deliberation he sent word to one of his men
in the Ranger field that he wished to see him.</p>

<p>The man came promptly, and when he left Henry Nelson's house after a
conference he carried with him a perfectly clear idea why he had been
sent for. This despite the fact that he had not been told in so many
words. He knew, for instance, that a certain Calvin Gray had become a
menace to his employers, so dangerous that it was worth to them a
substantial fortune to be rid of him, and that while Henry Nelson could
under no circumstances countenance anything illegal, anything savoring of
violence, nevertheless if some accident should befall Gray, if some act
of God should put an end to him, there would be no disposition on Henry's
part to question the divine origin of that calamity. Furthermore, the
speaker had made it plain that if Providence did take a hand in some such
mysterious manner, he would then be in a position amply to reward his
employee for many acts of loyalty that had apparently passed
unrecognized. For instance, profitable deals were forever coming up, new
acreage was constantly being acquired, and it would be easy to carry a
third party for an interest which was bound to make that third party
rich.</p>

<p>All this was expressed with admirable vagueness, but the man
understood.</p>

<p>So much accomplished, Nelson went to Dallas and there undertook to
learn something about the size of Calvin Gray's profits, who was behind
him and the extent of their backing, and what his prospects were. He
followed every avenue of information; he even went so far as to hire an
investigator and send him north to look up Gray's record and to follow
his tracks as far back as possible. Nelson was reconnoitering behind the
enemy's lines and testing the strength of his position.</p>

<p>When he returned home Gray was gone, whither he could not learn. As
the days passed without further developments, Nelson began to believe
that he had had a bad dream and that Gray had merely been talking to hear
his own voice. He devoutly hoped that such would prove to be the
case.</p>

<p>A time came, however, when his apprehensions were roused afresh, and
it was Barbara Parker who rekindled them. She had come to the bank with
an excellent proposition and was doing her best to sell it; in the course
of her conversation she referred to Gray in a manner that gave Nelson
cause for thought.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've looked this lease over,&rdquo; &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; was
saying, &ldquo;and I've seen the books. It has been producing a hundred
and fifty barrels a day steadily. Production like that is cheap at a
thousand dollars a barrel. It is worth a hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, Henry.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why is it offered for seventy-five?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; shrugged. &ldquo;How did a 'boll weevil' like this
Jackson ever make even a hundred-and-fifty-barrel well, in the first
place? Where did he get the money to drill? He is sick of the game, I
suppose, and would be satisfied to get his money back with a reasonable
profit. It is a find, really.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Looks so, for a fact. How did you get on to it,
'Bob'?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Purely by chance. Through a man named Mallow, a 'scientist' of
some sort with a magic tester.&rdquo; The girl laughed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't know him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mallow is as queer as the rest of his kind, and I put no faith
in his story until I investigated. But the well is there and doing a
hundred and fifty barrels as regular as clockwork.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'll have no trouble in selling it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then you're not interested?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Interested? Yes, indeed.&rdquo; Nelson nodded. &ldquo;I'm quite
excited, as a matter of fact, but&mdash;I can't handle it at this
particular time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Frankly, I'm glad you can't,&rdquo; Barbara told him,
&ldquo;for now I can sell it to Mr. Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Gray?&rdquo; Henry looked up quickly. &ldquo;If you wanted it
for him, why did you bring it to me?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Because Mr. Mallow insisted. He felt sure you'd jump at it.
Besides, Mr. Gray is away and prompt action is necessary. I'll wire him
at once and ask him to accept my judgment.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Will he do so?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The girl colored faintly at the tone of this inquiry. &ldquo;Perhaps.
I think he believes in me, and&mdash;that's more than you do. It's mighty
flattering to a girl to have a man like Mr. Gray believe in her. Why, I
am practically his agent! He buys and sells through me whenever he
can.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's buying and selling, is he? He said something about
entering this field in a big way&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's in.&rdquo; &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; eyes were sparkling.
&ldquo;Oh, things are looking up for dad and me. Mr. Gray is a real
miracle man, isn't he?&rdquo; When this question evoked no response, the
girl inquired, curiously, &ldquo;Tell me, are you and he such good
friends as he says you are?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Does he say we are good friends?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m&mdash;well, he speaks admiringly of you, and if people
admire me I<i>love</i> them. He thinks you are a remarkably capable
person. 'A determined fighter,' I think he called you. That should be
high praise, coming from a fellow officer. He probably outlined his plans
to you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He did.&rdquo; Nelson spoke dryly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I assumed that he was relying on your judgment and taking your
tips.&rdquo; &ldquo;Why? How so?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Because he has bought so much land alongside of
yours.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Barbara was surprised. &ldquo;I&mdash;why, I supposed you knew!&rdquo;
After a moment of hesitation she said: &ldquo;I think I'd better keep my
mouth closed. Just the same, he couldn't have done better than to follow
your lead. That is the first compliment I ever paid you,
Henry.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've paid you enough. And I do believe in you, 'Bob,' but I'm
not the flattering kind. He's a great ladies' man. I wonder if he is
going to make me jealous.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You? Jealous? Coming from Wichita's most emotionless banker,
from the cold county Croesus, that speech is almost a&mdash;a
declaration.&rdquo; Miss Parker laughed frankly. &ldquo;Why, Henry! My
haughty little nose is turning up&mdash;I can feel it. But, alas! it
proves your insincerity. If you had faith in my judgment you'd pick up
this snap.&rdquo;</p>

<p>With some hesitation the man said: &ldquo;We're in deep, 'Bob.'
Awfully deep! And things haven't gone as well as they should, lately.
It's temporary, of course, but it would require an extraordinary effort
at this time to take on anything new. That's the worst of this oil game,
it takes so much money to protect your holdings. It doesn't pay to
prospect land for the benefit of your neighbor; the risks are too great.
Gray has been pretty attentive to you, hasn't he?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's a part of the man; he is attentive to everybody. I have
received more candy and flowers and delightful little surprises than in
all my short, neglected life.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I didn't know you liked candy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't. But I adore getting it. The thought counts. I don't
care much for canaries, either&mdash;I have such bad luck with
them&mdash;but he sent me the dearest thing from New York. A tiny
mechanical bird with actual feathers. And it sings! It is a really, truly
yellow canary in a beautiful gold cage, and when you press a spring it
perks its head, opens its beak, flirts its tail, and utters the most
angelic song. It must have cost a fortune. Couldn't you <i>love</i> a man
who would think of a present like that?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hm-m! Could <i>you</i>?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I'm joking, of course,&rdquo; &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; said,
seriously. &ldquo;We are merely business associates, Mr. Gray and I, but
he has the faculty of taking his personality into his business, and
that's why I know he is bound to make a great success.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Some day,&rdquo; Nelson said, with an effort at lightness,
&ldquo;when we have finished with this infernal oil excitement and the
fever has subsided, perhaps I'll have a chance to&mdash;well, to play
ladies' man. It won't last long&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm sure it won't,&rdquo; laughed the girl. &ldquo;You'd never
make a go of it, Henry.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I mean this boom won't last. These fools think it will, but it
won't. While it does last, we busy men have no time for anything else, no
chance to think of anything, no room in our minds&mdash;&rdquo; The
speaker stared gloomily into space. He shook his head. &ldquo;When a
fellow is worried about important matters, he neglects the little;
things.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;To me that is the tragedy of this oil excitement. It devours
everything fine in us. I wonder if the 'little things' of life aren't,
after all, the most important. Mind you, I'm not hinting &mdash;I don't
want your attentions&mdash;I wouldn't have time for them, anyhow, for I'm
just as feverish as anybody else. But in the midst of all these new
concerns, these sudden millions, this overnight success, our ambitious
schemes, we are forgetting the things that really count. Gentleness,
courtesy, love, home, children: they're pretty big, Henry. Candy and
roses and yellow canaries, too. But &rdquo;&mdash;the speaker rose,
briskly&mdash;&ldquo;I didn't come here to talk about them; I came here
to sell you an oil well. Sorry you can't take it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When she had gone Nelson sat in a frowning study for some time. So, it
was not all a bad dream. What could be Gray's object in buying acreage
adjoining his? Was it faith in his, Nelson's, judgment, a desire to ride
to success on the tail of his enemy's kite, or did it mean a war of
offsets, drilling operations the instant a well came in? More likely the
latter, if the maniac really meant what he had said. That promised to be
an expensive and a hazardous undertaking on Gray's part; that was playing
the game on a scale too big for the fellow's limited resources, and
yet&mdash;it might be well to study the maps. Yes, and it was like Gray's
effrontery to pay deliberate court to &ldquo;Bob" Parker, knowing his
rival's feelings toward the girl. Another insult! The upstart certainly
possessed an uncanny dexterity in pricking armor joints. But what if Gray
were in earnest? &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; had become a wonderfully desirable
creature, she was the most attractive girl in Wichita Falls&mdash;</p>

<p>It was a thought that had not previously presented itself to Henry
Wilson, and it disturbed him now. He was glad, indeed, that he had sent
to Ranger for that field man.</p>

<p>In and around the office of McWade &amp;Stoner these were busy days,
what with a couple of new wildcat promotions and a well going down on
semiproven ground&mdash;that lease which cornered into the Nelson
holdings, and to which Stoner had called attention. It had been easy to
sell stock in the latter enterprise, and now the deeper went the hole,
the higher rose the hopes of the promoters. Stoner himself was directing
operations, and he had named the well &ldquo;Avenger Number
One.&rdquo;</p>

<p>To-day he and his partner had been listening to Mallow, who concluded
an earnest discourse with these words:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nelson and her are pardners in one deal and he's stuck on her.
If anybody can put it over, she's the one.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If he buys that well it'll be the biggest laugh this town ever
had,&rdquo; McWade declared.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buy it? A hundred and fifty barrels in the heart of settled
production for seventy-five thousand? I bet he'll buy it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Think the boss will stand for that kind of a deal?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why not? They can't hang it on him, and Heaven knows I'm
honest.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He said 'nothing crooked'&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow snorted. &ldquo;Say, I bet you believe in Santa Claus! Gray's a
great man, and what makes him great is that he does his own crooked
work.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Stoner was inclined to agree with Mallow's measure of their associate.
&ldquo;That's how I got him figgered. His honesty talk didn't go far with
me, and I don't believe he'll kick at anything. He's willing to pay any
price to break this banker, but you can't bankrupt a feller unless you
rip his coin loose; you can't <i>ask</i> him to please loosen. If we make
a well of the Avenger we'll force him to shoot maybe a hundred thousand
right away, and that may cramp him for a while; but suppose he makes the
turn and hits it like we do? We've made him that much stronger, haven't
we? Gray plans to keep him spending faster than he can get it in, and
that's all right&mdash;if it works, but if Mallow can bilk him for
seventy-five thousand at one fell swipe&mdash;Well, I'll bet my best gold
tooth that the boss will stand the shock like a man.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I think you've both got Gray all wrong,&rdquo; said McWade.
&ldquo;He's too smart to be crooked.&rdquo;</p>

<p>This was a statement so absurd that Mallow proceeded to riddle it. It
was, upon its face, a contradiction, for none but smart men could be
crooked, and the laws of logic proved the converse to be equally
true.</p>

<p>Stoner sat in frowning silence while the argument raged, but he broke
in finally: &ldquo;I've always wanted to pull a real salting job, just to
show how easy it is to gyp the cagy ones&mdash;not an oil-can job like
this, but something big. This looks like the piscological
moment.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lay off, I tell you!&rdquo; McWade cried. &ldquo;We're a
legitimate firm,' solid as Gibraltar and safe as a church.' That's our
motto, and we've got to live up to it. I came into Wichita on the roof of
a Pullman; I'm going out in a drawing-room. Me and sin are
strangers.&rdquo; &ldquo;Nothing sinful about my idea, Mac. One fall or
two won't break Nelson; we've got to spill him hard. If we can pick up a
few pennies ourselves in the process, why, that's legitimate. The dealer
is entitled to his percentage, ain't he? Now listen. Everybody's getting
set for a big play over in Arkansas, as you know&mdash;salting away cheap
acreage and waiting for some of the wildcats to come in. Well, last year
I had a tool dresser from up there; nice boy, but he got pneumonia and it
turned into the 'con,' so I took him home. He's back on his farm now,
coughing his life away and doing a little bootleggin' to keep body and
cough together. He's got a big place, but it's all run down and so poor
you couldn't raise a dust on it with a bellows. It would be a Christian
act to help him sell that goat pasture for enough to go to some nice warm
country where he'd get well and they couldn't extradite him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course, if you've got a scheme that is perfectly
safe,&rdquo; McWade ventured, charitably, &ldquo;and our bit was worth
it&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I been thinking we might help the boy sell that farm to
Nelson.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow, too, was curious. &ldquo;Nelson's lungs are healthy; he
wouldn't cough a nickel unless the place had oil on it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I meant to tell you it's got oil on it. Best indications I ever
saw. There's a drinking well, only the water ain't fit to drink till you
skim off the 'rainbow.' Then there's a wonderful seepage into the creek.
You can see the oil oozing out from under the bank, in one place.
Certainly is pretty.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Stoner's hearers were intent; they exchanged puzzled glances.</p>

<p>Mallow was the first to speak. &ldquo;Come on. What's the joker? I
ain't saying you'd murder the guy for that farm, but if it's as good as
that he'd of died of the plague or something, and left it to you long
before this.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;In a way, I'm getting ahead of my story,&rdquo; Stoner
continued, imperturbably. &ldquo;The oil ain't actually visible, but it
will be if, when, and as, Henry Nelson gets ready to buy it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Easy enough to pour oil into a water well, I suppose, but that
wouldn't fool a child. As for salting <i>running</i> water, a creek
&mdash;show me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There's a lot for you to learn in this business, Mallow. The
point is, can we lay Nelson against a bunch of acreage like
that?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You could lay <i>me</i> against it if it looks like you say it
does,&rdquo; McWade declared.</p>

<p>&ldquo;This bootlegger, being half dead and non compost mentis, would
help put it over with a man like Nelson; he'd set him in a draught while
he was signing the option. I'll guarantee the seepage to last for a
month, even if he has the well bailed out every day, and the creek will
carry oil for half a mile.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Would your one-lunged friend know how to play in?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Would</i> he? It was his idea, and all that kept us off of
it last year was the fact that the oil would have to be hauled about
thirty miles, and we didn't have the price between us to hire a
truck.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For some time the trio discussed the various angles of Stoner's
proposition, endeavoring if possible to devise some natural way of
intriguing the interest of Henry Nelson. On this score McWade had fewer
apprehensions than did his companions, his contention being that it
mattered not how the matter was brought to the banker's attention so long
as the property would stand investigation. Nelson was bound to be
suspicious, anyhow, and a sale depended entirely upon the character of
the oil showing. McWade's coolness toward the enterprise, it transpired,
was occasioned not by a loftier sense of rectitude than his associates
displayed, but by lingering doubts as to the profits involved.</p>

<p>Not until Brick declared that his tubercular friend would accede to
any arrangement he saw fit to make did the junior partner fall in with
the proposal. &ldquo;If it's a fair, square deal all around, I'm for
it,&rdquo; the latter finally agreed. &ldquo;But we can't afford to have
any guy squawking that we did him up&mdash;especially if he's only got
one lung to holler with. We're a legitimate firm, and we've got to treat
our clients right. I think a fifty-fifty split would be
reasonable.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Stoner, too, thought that would be about right, and so it was
left.</p>

<p>Mallow was highly enthusiastic. &ldquo;This will be a great surprise
to Gray,&rdquo; he said, with animation. &ldquo;It's mighty lucky he's
got a gang like us to help him.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_18">CHAPTER XVII</a></h3>

<p>To learn that her mountain retreat had been invaded and that she had
been spied upon filled Ma Briskow with dismay, but when Allie found fault
with her behavior the elder woman burned with resentment.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We're queer enough,&rdquo; the girl said, &ldquo;without you
cutting up crazy and making folks talk. If you want to dance, for
goodness' sake hire somebody to lear&mdash;to teach you, same as I
did.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mrs. Briskow had silently endured her daughter's criticism up to this
point, but now her lips tightened and there was a defiant tilt to her
head.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Who says I want to dance?&rdquo; she demanded. &ldquo;I can
dance good enough.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What was you up to the other day? That Delamater man said you
was acting plumb nutty.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wasn't doin' anything.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where do you go every day, Ma? You stay around nice and quiet
till Miz' Ring or I look the other way, then&mdash;you're
gone.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I kinda&mdash;visit around.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Who d'you visit with? You don't know anybody. Nobody ever
speaks to us. You ain't in earnest about those fairies and things, are
you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It ain't anybody's business where I go or what I do,&rdquo; Ma
declared, in sullen exasperation. &ldquo;I ain't bothering anybody, am
I?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't say 'ain't,' say 'isn't.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>For once in her patient life the mother flamed into open rebellion.
&ldquo;Don't 'don't' me!&rdquo; she cried. &ldquo;You're gettin' the
'don't' habit off Miz' Ring an' nothin' I say or do is right any more.
You mind your own 'isn'ts' an' I'll handle my 'ain'ts.' I got places
where I go an' things I do an' I don't bother nobody. I guess we got
enough money so I can do things I want to, as long as I don't bother
nobody.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why don't you take Pa along? He'd go, then
people&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mind your own business!&rdquo; the old woman snapped. She
flounced out of the room, leaving Allie amazed and indignant at this
burst of temper.</p>

<p>That day Ma Briskow abandoned her mountain fastness. She took her
faithful retainers with her and led them farther up the ravine to a
retreat that was truly inaccessible. She moved them, bag and baggage. Of
course, there was a scene; the children cried, the women wailed, the men
wept. But she told them that traitors had betrayed their hiding place to
the dastardly Duke of Dallas, and any moment might bring his cutthroat
crew upon them. Some of the younger bloods were for remaining and selling
their lives dearly, but Ma would not hear to it.</p>

<p>It was quite an undertaking to move a whole nomad tribe, for there
were all the household belongings, the rattle, the sheep, the goats, the
milk-white Arabian steeds, the butter and eggs and homemade preserves,
and all the paraphernalia of a warlike people. It is surprising how stuff
accumulates in a mountain fastness. But she managed the retreat with
conspicuous ability. Ma led the long caravan into the bed of a running
stream, so that there would remain not a single footprint to guide
pursuers, then she sat in her saddle and gazed back at the silent camping
place.</p>

<p>Trap her, eh? Come upon her unprepared, would they? Ha! ha! She
laughed scornfully and tossed her head of midnight hair as she pictured
the duke's rage at finding he had been foiled again, and by a mere slip
of a girl!</p>

<p>This was a good game and exciting, too. Fetch Pa Briskow along,
indeed! Why, these wild mountain folk would kill him; in their present
mood they would rend a stranger hip from thigh. If they dreamed, for
instance, that she, their queen, was married&mdash;</p>

<p>Here was a new thought, and Ma's imagination leaped at it. If these
passionate people suspected that she had contracted a secret marriage
with the&mdash;the Earl of Briskow, their jealousy would know no bounds.
They would probably slay Pa. Ma shuddered at the horrid vision of what
would happen to Pa. This was truly thrilling.</p>

<p>Later on in the morning Mrs. Briskow discovered that she possessed
another amazing accomplishment&mdash;<i>viz</i>., the ability to walk on
a ceiling, upside down, like a fly. It was extremely amusing, for it
enabled a person to see right into everything. Pa and Allie looked very
funny from above.</p>

<p>The next day, when she stealthily slipped out of her French window,
she found Calvin Gray idly rocking on the veranda. He welcomed her
appearance and pretended not to see her embarrassment at the meeting; he
was glad of this chance for a visit with her alone. Perhaps she was going
for a walk and would take him along?</p>

<p>Ma was annoyed and suspicious. She liked Gray, but&mdash;she was as
wary as a trout and she refused to be baited. She would allow him to walk
with her&mdash;but lead him to the retreat? Well, hardly.</p>

<p>The man was piqued, for suspicion irked him. It was a tribute to his
patience and to his knack of inspiring confidence that Ma finally told
him about Allie's criticism and her resentment thereat.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I got my own way of enjoyin' myself, an' I don't care what
people think,&rdquo; she declared, with some heat.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quite right. It's none of their darned business, Ma.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She thinks I'm kind of crazy an'&mdash;I guess I am. But it
comes from livin' so long in the heat an' the drought an' allus wantin'
things I couldn't have&mdash;allus bein' sort of thirsty in the head.
When you want things all your life an' never have 'em, you get so you
<i>play</i> you've got 'em.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The man nodded. &ldquo;You had a hard time. Your life was starved. I'm
so glad the money came in time.&rdquo; &ldquo;You see, I never had time
to play, or a good place to play in, even when I was a little girl. But
this is like&mdash;like books I've read.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Are these mountains what you thought they would be?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, they're better!&rdquo; Ma breathed. &ldquo;It's too bad
Allie's got to spoil ever'thing.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I shall speak to her. We won't let her spoil anything. Now tell
me how you play.&rdquo;</p>

<p>But Ma flushed faintly, and for some time longer she refused her
confidence. It didn't matter; it was all an old woman's foolishness;
nobody would understand. Gray was not insistent; nevertheless, before
long they were on their way toward the glen.</p>

<p>It was a glorious morning, the forest was beautiful, and as the two
strolled through it Ma's companion told her many things about trees and
flowers and birds and bees that she had never dreamed of. Now Gray's
natural history was shockingly inaccurate, nevertheless it was
interesting, and it was told in a manner both whimsical and sprightly. He
made up outrageous stories, and he took no shame in seriously recounting
experiences of his own that Ma knew were wholly imaginary. She told him,
finally:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sakes alive! You're as crazy as I am.&rdquo;</p>

<p>This he denied with spirit. Forests were enchanted places, and trolls
dwelt in the mountains. There was no question about that; most people
never took time to see them, that was all. Now as for him, he had
actually beheld naiads and dryads, nixies and pixies, at play&mdash;at
least he had practically been upon the point of seeing them. Ma, herself,
must have come across places they had just left, but probably she had
lacked the patience to await their return or the faith to woo them into
being. There were little woods people, too, no bigger than your thumb,
whose drinking goblets were acorn cups, and whose plates were shiny
leaves. He showed her how to set a fairy tablecloth with her handkerchief
and with toadstools for seats.</p>

<p>In a reckless burst of confidence Ma told him how it felt to walk
upside down, like a fly, and to go bounding through the woods like a
thistledown. Gray had never tried it, but he was interested.</p>

<p>Then, finally, alas! the inconsistency of woman! she told him all
about her hidden band of mountaineers.</p>

<p>Now this was something he <i>could</i> understand. This was more his
speed. He insisted upon making the personal acquaintance of those bold
followers of hers and upon hearing the whole sad story of the Princess
Pensacola. The history of her struggle against the wicked Duke of Dallas
moved him; he wove new details of his own into it, and before Ma knew it
he was actually playing the part of the duke.</p>

<p>The duke, it appeared, was a hard and haughty man, but at heart he was
not all bad; when he had listened to the story of his victim's wrongs and
more fully appreciated the courage, the devotion of her doughty
followers, he was touched. For her sake, and theirs, he proposed a truce
to this ruinous struggle. What kind of a truce? Well, he refused entirely
to renounce his claim to the throne, but&mdash;they might share it. He
was a handsome man and no wickeder than the general run of dukes; he
would make a becoming husband to the beauteous princess, and if she set
her mind to it she could probably make a better person of him. Thus would
the warring factions be united, thus would the blessings of peace
descend&mdash;</p>

<p>But the princess raised her slim, jeweled hand, and spoke thus:
&ldquo;Too late, Your Honor! I been married to His Royal Highness the
Earl of Briskow, and it serves you right the way you done both of
us.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The duke fell into a great rage at this. He refused to believe it, and
threatened to annul the marriage.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, you can't do that,&rdquo; tittered the princess. &ldquo;We
was married by the Royal Justice of the Peace and&mdash;we got two
children.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Here <i>was</i> a blow! The duke was crushed, until a happy thought
came to him. If cruel fate prevented him from claiming the Princess
Pensacola for a bride he would take her for a mother. He had always
wanted a mother, anyhow; lack of maternal care it was that accounted for
his wildness&mdash;it was enough to ruin any duke &mdash;and mothers were
much nicer than wives. They were much harder to get, also.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lord! I wish you meant it!&rdquo; Ma exclaimed, in a
matter-of-fact tone. &ldquo;I wish Allie was a real princess.
Mebbe&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray broke in with a laugh. &ldquo;There! You've spoiled the play. The
duke has fled.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mrs. Briskow's wrinkled face beamed. &ldquo;Think of a gre't big man
like you playin' 'pretend' with a foolish old woman like me! I thought
you had more sense.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I live in my own land of 'pretend,' just as you do. Why, I have
a real princess of my own.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Honest?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray nodded. &ldquo;The Princess of Wichita Falls. Would you like to
hear about her? Well, she's small and dainty, as princesses should be,
and her eyes are like bluebells, Ma. They are brave, honest eyes that can
laugh or cry&mdash;the sort of eyes that make a man's head swim when he
looks into them too long. She carries herself like a great lady, and
she's very cool and business&mdash;I mean princess-like, to men. But in
reality she's just an adorable feminine creature who wants to be loved.
When she laughs two deep dimples come into her cheeks&mdash;marks of
royal favor. Some people may consider her too stern, too matter-of-fact,
but she isn't; in her boudoir there is scent and sachet and frilly,
ribbony things that nobody ever sees. And flowers from me. She loves
roses best of all and she says she buries her face in them. I send her
roses, mostly, so they can kiss her cheeks for me. A tiny yellow love
bird in a tiny yellow cage sings her awake every morning. I taught it the
song it warbles, but&mdash;she'll never understand what the little bird
is trying to say.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ma Briskow had listened with rapt attention. Now, she inquired,
&ldquo;Does she love you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Didn't I tell you this was my game of pretense?&rdquo; Gray
said, gayly. &ldquo;Do you really think that an adorable creature whose
head is full of girlish notions and youthful ideals could care for the
worldly, wicked old Duke of Dallas? I am old, Ma, and I've gone the
gait.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! You ain't any such thing.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, perhaps I'm a better lover than I believe. Who knows?
Fortunately, however, it is all just an amusing game.&rdquo; The speaker
rose and looked at his watch. &ldquo;It is lunch time, Mother Briskow,
and I'm famished.&rdquo;</p>

<p>As the two entered the hotel grounds, Gus and Allie hurried to meet
them, and the latter exclaimed, irritably: &ldquo;It's about time you
showed up. We've been looking everywhere for you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>At sight of her husband's face Ma inquired, in sudden anxiety,
&ldquo;What's wrong, Gus?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's Buddy,&rdquo; Allie declared.</p>

<p>&ldquo;'Tain't serious,&rdquo; Briskow said. &ldquo;And it is, too.
He's left school&mdash;run away! Here, Mr. Gray, see what you make out of
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray read aloud the letter that was handed to him, a letter from the
principal of the institution that he himself had recommended, stating
that Ozark had disappeared without doing the college authorities the
courtesy of leaving an address. Inasmuch as he had never expressed the
slightest dissatisfaction with his surroundings, the writer was at a loss
to explain the reason for this disappearance. As to Ozark's safety, there
was no immediate cause for apprehension, for he had taken with him three
trunks of clothing, a high-powered touring car, and a Belgian police dog;
but certain of the young man's exploits that had come to light since his
departure aroused grave doubts in the principal's mind of his moral
well-being.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's it mean?&rdquo; the mother inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It means that Buddy has taken a vacation. How much money has
he?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's got plenty,&rdquo; Gus declared. &ldquo;More 'n is good
for him if&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If what?&rdquo; Ma queried.</p>

<p>Gus halted; it was Allie who answered: &ldquo;If he's done what we
think he's done&mdash;gone away after some woman.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Some <i>woman</i>?&rdquo; Ma stared blankly from one face to
another. &ldquo;Buddy in love? Why, he never wrote me nothing about bein'
in love.&rdquo; Reading a further message in her husband's expression,
she cried, fiercely: &ldquo;He's a good boy. He wouldn't take up
with&mdash;with nobody that wasn't nice. What makes you think it's a
girl?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I didn't say 'girl,' Ma, I said '<i>woman</i>.' Buddy's been
writin' to me and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's the difference? Mebbe he's in love with some nice young
woman an' they've run away to git married. Buddy's han'some, and they got
nice women everywhere&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Love</i>? With all his money? And him only up to
fractions?&rdquo; Allegheny laughed scornfully.</p>

<p>Gus Briskow wiped his face with a nervous hand. &ldquo;I'm 'most sick
over it,&rdquo; he confessed. &ldquo;The perfessor has written me a
coupla times about him. Buddy's gone kinda wild, I guess, drinkin'
an'&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Drinking?&rdquo; Gray interrupted, sharply. &ldquo;Why didn't
you tell me? So, you gave him unlimited money, in spite of my
warning?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He wanted his own bank account; his share of the royalties.
Made him feel more like a man, he said. I&mdash;I never learned how to
say 'no' to him or Allie. Ma an' I allus said 'no' to each other, but it
was allus 'yes' to them. We never had much to give 'em, noway.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Drinking, eh?&rdquo; Gray was frowning. &ldquo;The woman part I
don't care so much about&mdash;he'll probably get over that if it isn't
too serious. But whisky! That's different. I'm responsible for that boy;
in a manner of speaking, I adopted him because&mdash;well, because he
flattered me by pretending to admire me. It was a unique experience. I
took Buddy for my own. Will you let me handle this matter?&rdquo; The
speaker looked from one parent to the other, and they saw that his face
was grimly set. &ldquo;Give me my way and I'll bring that young rascal to
time or&mdash;&rdquo; He shrugged, he smiled faintly. &ldquo;Give me
permission to treat him as if he really were my own, will you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You got my leave,&rdquo; said the father; but Ma Briskow
bristled.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't you dast to hurt him,&rdquo; she cried.</p>

<p>Again Gray shrugged, this time with resignation. &ldquo;As you will. I
was wild, myself; I think I know what he needs.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You can't beat anything into Buddy's head.&rdquo; It was Allie
speaking. &ldquo;After all, he's grown up, and what right has anybody got
to interfere with him? S'pose it <i>is</i> a woman? S'pose she <i>is</i>
after his money? It's his. Men can get what they want by payin' for it.
An hour, a day, a week of happiness! Ain't that worth all Buddy 'll have
to pay? I'd pay. I'd go through torture the rest of my
life&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Allegheny Briskow!</i>&rdquo; the mother exclaimed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, I would.&rdquo; The girl's voice broke, a sudden
agitation seized her; in passionate defiance she went on: &ldquo;What's
the use of wanting something all your life and never getting it? What's
money for if you can't buy the one thing you want worst of all? That's
where men have got the best of it; they can buy love. I wish I was a man;
I wish I was Buddy! I'd have my day, my week&mdash;and as much more as I
could pay for. I'd have happiness that long if it broke my heart. But I'm
a <i>girl</i> !&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was with a sudden interest that Gray studied the speaker. Here was
a side to the Briskow character that he had not suspected, and it gave
him a new light upon Buddy, for brother and sister were much alike; it
showed him more clearly the size of the task he had volunteered to
undertake. He heard the father speaking, and reluctantly withdrew his
eyes from Allie's flaming face.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He likes you, Mr. Gray, an' mebbe you could keep him from
spoilin' his hull life. That's what he's liable to do an'&mdash;I'm
skeered. He wouldn't listen to me. Boys don't listen to their
fathers.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll find him, Gus, and I'll make him listen to me. If it is
drink, I'll break him of it. If it is a woman&mdash;I'll break him of
that, too, for it can't be more than a passing fancy.&rdquo; Noting the
tragic concern that wrinkled Ma Briskow's. face, he put an arm about her,
saying more gently: &ldquo;Now, now! I won't deny you the luxury of
worrying, Ma dear. That is a mother's divine prerogative, but rest
assured Buddy sha'n't do himself any great harm. Now then, let's get to a
long-distance phone.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was perhaps two hours before Gray reported to Gus Briskow:
&ldquo;They don't know much more at the school than was written in that
letter. He has been going a rather lively pace lately, it
seems.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did you find out anything about the&mdash;the woman?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing definite. I have put detectives on the case, and they
will report to me at Wichita Falls. As soon as they uncover his trail,
I'll go to Buddy at once.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You goin' to leave us?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I must. I've just received a telegram from my&mdash;my agent.
About the purchase of a well. It is a matter that can't wait.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I can't thank you for all you done for us. We was in bad shape
till you come. Now&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Now everything is straight again. That's my job, Gus&mdash;to
do little odd favors for those I love. You must stay here, for Ma is
happy, and this place is making a girl of her. Allie is doing wonders
with herself, too. By the way, she needn't be lonely any more; I've
talked to some of the guests, and they want to make friends with her.
She'll find them nice people, and you must make her meet them halfway.
Perhaps she'll become interested in some decent young fellow. I'd like
that, wouldn't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Would ye?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The tone of this inquiry caused Gray to glance more keenly at the
speaker, but Briskow's bright eyes told him nothing.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, naturally. Allie is becoming more attractive every day,
and she is going to make something of herself. She is going to 'do us all
proud.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>As soon as he was alone Gray eagerly reread his telegram from Wichita
Falls. It was from Barbara Parker&mdash;the first, by the way, that he
had ever received&mdash;and he smiled at the girl's effort to be
thoroughly businesslike, and at the same time to convey the full urgency
of her message. Why had she economized on words when every one was
precious to him? Buy that well? Of course he would, if she so earnestly
desired it. But what was better by far than the prospect of a profitable
purchase was the fact of her personal interest in him. When it came to
the last line of her message, &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; had plunged into a
ten-word riot of extravagance.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The bird is darling. I have named him after you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray wondered if these words really meant what they seemed to imply,
or if it was merely her bubbling, enthusiasm that spoke. Well, he would
soon find out. Already he had wasted too much time on the
Briskows&mdash;a man's duty ever lies in the way of his desire &mdash;but
once he had rounded up Buddy perhaps the family would be able to take
care of itself. He hoped so, for it was assuming the character of a
liability.</p>

<p>It was late that night. The southbound flyer had gone through. The
Briskows were sitting in the pleasant parlor of their handsome suite, but
they were like three mourners. Ma and Pa were soberly discussing the news
about Buddy, Allegheny was staring in somber meditation at nothing. The
girl was bitter, rebellious, for never had she felt so utterly alone as
at this moment. To that question which monotonously repeated itself, she
could form no answer. Did he care, or was it all pity&mdash;just his
way?</p>

<p>She heard his name and her own mentioned, and she became attentive.
&ldquo;What's that? He wants me to meet these people halfway?&rdquo; she
inquired. &ldquo;What for? I don't like 'em.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He says you'll git to like 'em, an' they'll git to like you. He
says you're goin' ahead tremendous, and we'll all be proud of you. Mebbe
you'll meet some nice young feller&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He said that, did he?&rdquo; Allie's voice was sharp.</p>

<p>&ldquo;N-not exactly, but&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He asked 'em to be nice to me&mdash;he fixed it all up. Is that
it? I got lots of money; some man 'll make love to me and I'll&mdash;I'll
fall in love with him. Is that what he said?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He didn't put it that way. What he said was
more&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allegheny rose with an exclamation of anger. &ldquo;Well, I won't meet
'em. He'd better mind his own business.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, <i>Allie</i>!&rdquo; the mother exclaimed, in mild
reproach.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I won't! I hate 'em. I hate everybody. Him, with his high an'
fancy ways&mdash;&rdquo; the girl choked. &ldquo;He looks down on us the
same as other folks does, an' I don't blame him. He acts like we was
cattle, an' we are.&rdquo; Her own scorn appeared to whip the speaker
into a higher frenzy. &ldquo;Now he's gone off to spoil Buddy's doin's.
Buttin' in, that's what it is. If I knew where Buddy is, I'd warn him.
I'd tell him to look out. I'd tell him to grab his chance when it comes
along, if it takes all the Briskow money, all the Briskow wells. He's
lucky, Buddy is. It don't make any difference <i>who</i> he took up with,
if he loves her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Never but once before had the Briskows seen their daughter in a mood
like this, and that was on the occasion of their first visit to Dallas.
Now they sat numb and speechless as she raved on:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Playin' with us to amuse himself! It's a game with him. He
'ain't got anything better to do. Why, he even shows us how to dress!
'With a touch,' he says, 'I work miracles. I transfer&mdash;transform you
from something dark an'&mdash;an' common into a thing of passion.'
<i>Passion!</i> What the hell does he know about passion? He's a doctor,
he is, cuttin' up a live dog to see what ails it. A live dog that's tied
down! Cuttin' it up&mdash;Oh, my God, I wish I was Buddy!&rdquo; It was
several moments after the door of Allie's room had slammed behind her
before Gus Briskow spoke, and then it was with a deep sigh.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I been afraid of something like this, Ma. I reckon we're goin'
to pay dear for our money before we get through.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;An' him with a princess in Wichita Falls!&rdquo; the mother
quavered.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_19">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h3>

<p>There are many arguments against industry; much is to be said against
its wholesale practice. For one thing, habitual diligence, of whatever
sort, begets other habits hard to break, habits that persist in plaguing
a man during his periods of indolence and perhaps during his whole life.
Early rising is one of the most annoying of these habits. While it cannot
be said that Tom Parker had ever labored arduously at anything,
nevertheless he had followed his calling faithfully, and the peculiar
exigencies of that calling had made of him a light and fitful sleeper. He
had so often used the earth as a mattress and his saddle as a pillow,
that sunup invariably roused him, and as a consequence he liked to tell
people that he could do with less sleep than any man in Texas. That was,
in fact, one of his pet complaints.</p>

<p>It was true that Old Tom never slept long, but it was also true that
he slept oftener than any man in Texas. He was up and dressed by
daylight, and until breakfast time he engaged himself in purposeless and
noisy pursuits. This futile energy, however, diminished steadily until
about nine-thirty, after which his day was punctuated by a series of cat
naps, as a broken sentence is punctuated by dots and dashes.</p>

<p>That small room at the rear of his office Barbara had cleared of its
dusty accumulations&mdash;of its saddles and saddle-bags, its rusty
Winchesters, its old newspapers and disorderly files&mdash;and had
transformed into a retreat for him. She had overcome his inherent
prejudice against innovations of any sort by arguing gravely that the
head of every firm should, nay must, have a private sanctum.</p>

<p>Tom approved of the change after he became accustomed to it, for he
was subjected to fewer irritating distractions there than elsewhere.
Before long, in fact, he acquired the ability to doze placidly through
almost any sort of business conference in the outer office. It was his
practice to sleep from nine-thirty until eleven, when &ldquo;Bob&rdquo;
fetched him a glass of orange juice with a &ldquo;spike&rdquo; in it.
This refreshing beverage filled him with new energy to tackle the issues
of the day, and thereupon began a routine as fixed as some religious
ritual. First, he smacked his lips, then he cleared his throat loudly
several times, after which his chair creaked as he massaged his rheumatic
leg. Promptly upon the count of twenty he emerged from the inner office,
slamming the door energetically behind him.</p>

<p>Whether &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; was alone or engaged with clients, Old Tom's
air was always the same; it was that of a busy man weighted with grave
responsibilities. He frowned; he muttered, hurriedly:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Got to see a man; back in an hour. Anybody calls, tell 'em to
wait.&rdquo;</p>

<p>This took him to the front door, which he also slammed behind him
&mdash;there being a certain force and determination to the sound of a
slamming door. Then he limped down the street to Judge Halloran's office.
The judge usually had the checkerboard out and set when Tom arrived.</p>

<p>Afternoons passed in much the same manner, and night found Tom, if not
actually exhausted from the unceasing grind, at least pleasurably
fatigued thereby and ready for an after-dinner doze. He considered
himself seriously overworked.</p>

<p>This morning &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; was alone at her desk when he came out,
and something about her appearance caused the old warrior to look twice.
He was exactly on time, but the judge could wait. He was a cranky old
scoundrel anyhow, was Judge Halloran, and it would do him good to cool
his heels for a few minutes. Tom paused with his hand upon the door
knob.</p>

<p>&ldquo;My goodness! son, you're all dressed up!&rdquo; he said, as he
noted &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; crisp white dress, the rose upon her bosom, the
floppy hat that framed her face. &ldquo;Church sociable
som'er's?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No, dad.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's going on?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing in particular.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You certainly are sweet.&rdquo; Tom's bleak, gray face
softened, then some vague regret peered forth from his eyes.
&ldquo;Certainly are sweet, but&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;But what?&rdquo; The girl smiled up at him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I don't know&mdash;seems like you ain't quite the same boy
you was. You're changing lately, somehow. Getting more like your mother
every week. I like that, of course,&rdquo; he said, quickly,
&ldquo;but&mdash;I'd like awful well to see you in your ranch clothes
again. I bet you've clean forgot how to ride and rope
and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You know very well I haven't. I'm a little bit rusty, perhaps,
but remember I'm a pretty busy girl these days.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know.&rdquo; Tom sighed. &ldquo;I'm wore out, too. What d'you
say we close up the ol' factory and take a rest? Let's get us a couple of
broncs and go up to the Territory for a spell. Used to be a lot of wild
turkeys in a place I know. It'd do us a lot of good.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, dad, we can't do that! And, besides, those turkeys were
killed out years ago.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! I s'pose so. Ain't much left to shoot at but tin cans,
come to think of it.&rdquo; There was a pause. &ldquo;I don't reckon you
could han'le a six gun like you used to, 'Bob.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You think not? Try me sometime and see,&rdquo; said the girl.
Apparently Tom believed there was no time like the present, for he slid
his right hand under the left lapel of his coat, and when he brought it
away there was a large single-action Colt's revolver in it&mdash;a
massive weapon upon the mother-of-pearl handle plates of which were
carved two steers' heads. Those steers' heads Tom had removed from a gun
belonging to a famous bad man, suddenly deceased, and there was a story
that went with them.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Now see here,&rdquo; &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; protested, &ldquo;one of
these new policemen will pick you up some day.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! Nobody wouldn't pick me up, just for totin' a
gun,&rdquo; the old man declared. With practiced fingers he extracted the
shells, one by one. &ldquo;I feel right naked without a six-shooter. I
feel like I'd cast a shoe, or something.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wish you'd give up carrying it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lessee you do a few tricks,'Bob'. Do the roll. Remember she
don't stand cocked.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Miss Parker rose to her feet and took the weapon. She balanced it in
her hand, then she spun it, rolled it, fanned it, went through a routine
of lightninglike sleight-of-hand that Tom had taught her long before.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lessee you do a few shots,&rdquo; her father urged, when she
handed it back to him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;In <i>here</i>?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! It's our shanty. Drive a few nails or&mdash;I'll tell
you; kill that bear and save that tenderfoot's life.&rdquo; Tom pointed
to a Winchester calendar on the rear wall, which bore the lithographic
likeness of an enraged grizzly upon the point of helping himself to a
hunter.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, we'd have the whole town running in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Go on, son. Make it speak. Bears is easy killed.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nonsense.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Reluctantly Tom reloaded his weapon and thrust it back into its
shoulder holster; regretfully he murmured: &ldquo;Doggone! We never have
any more fun.&rdquo; He turned toward the door.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where are you going, dad?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I got to see a man; back in an hour. Anybody
calls&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You know you won't be back in an hour. Where are you
going?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I got to see&mdash;What is it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; hesitated. &ldquo;I wish you'd stay here. I think
Mr. Gray arrived this morning, and I expect him in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tom decided that he had made Judge Halloran wait long enough. He
should have been in the old rascal's king row by this time. So he said,
briskly, &ldquo;Wish I could, son, but I got to see a man.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mr. Gray was here several times before he went away, but you
were always out.&rdquo; When her father showed no inclination to tarry,
Barbara spoke with more impatience than she had ever used toward him.
&ldquo;I want him to meet you, dad, for he has come back on purpose to
take up that Jackson well. If I devote all my time to business, it seems
to me you could afford to sacrifice an hour to it, just this once. That
checker game can wait.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tom Parker stiffened. Sacrifice an hour to business, just once!
That<i>was</i> a blow. As if his nose was not at the grindstone day in
and day out! As if he were not practically chained to this office! As if
unremitting application to business had not wrecked him &mdash;worn him
to the bone&mdash;made an insomniac of him! That was the worst about
children, boys especially; they twitted their elders; they thought they
were the whole works; they assumed undue importance. Tom was offended,
and, being a stubborn man, he bowed his back.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Tell him to wait,&rdquo; he said, curtly. &ldquo;I'll get
around to it soon as I can.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, <i>dad</i>! He isn't a man who can wait. This deal won't
wait, either.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I been talking over that Jackson well with&mdash;with a man,
and I got him&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I asked you not to mention it&mdash;not to a soul. It is a very
important matter and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Now Tom had not discussed the Jackson well, except casually with Judge
Halloran, but every word that &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; spoke rankled, so he
interrupted with a resentful query:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ain't I equal to han'le an important deal?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; acknowledged quickly that he was. She had not meant
to criticize his ability to conduct negotiations of the very highest
importance, but she was surprised, in view of her earnest request, that
he had even mentioned this particular matter to anybody. She reminded him
that insurance was his forte, and that their understanding had been that
she was to take exclusive charge of their oil business. While she was
talking, Tom realized with a disagreeable shock that of late there had
been no insurance written, none whatever. He had given the matter no
thought, but such was undoubtedly the case, and in his daughter's words
he felt a rebuke. Now he could not abide rebukes; he had never permitted
anybody to criticize him. For once that unconscious irritation that had
been slowly accumulating within him flamed up. It was an irritation too
vague, too formless to put into words, especially inasmuch as words did
not come easily to Tom Parker when he was mad.</p>

<p>Without further comment the old man pulled his gray wide-awake lower
over his eyes and limped out of the room. But he did not go to Judge
Halloran's office; he was too sore to risk further offense at the hands
of one who took malicious delight in antagonizing him, so he walked the
streets. The more he pondered &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; accusation&mdash;and
accusation it surely was&mdash;the angrier he became; not at her, of
course, for she was blood of his blood, his other and better self; but
angry at himself for allowing the reins to slip out of his fingers. He
was the head of the firm. It was due to his ripe judgment and keen common
sense that the business ran on; his name and standing it was that gave it
stability. Perhaps he had permitted the girl to do more than her share of
the work, and hence her inclination to take all the credit for their
joint success was only natural, but it was time to change all that; time
to turn a big deal without her assistance. That was the thing to do,
handle the Jackson lease in his own way and turn it over for a price far
in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars. Anybody could sell things for
less than they were worth, but it took real ability to realize their full
value. Here was a snap, a chance to clean up big
money&mdash;&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; said so&mdash;why not, then, take over the
lease for himself and her, pay something down, hold it for a few weeks,
and then resell it at a staggering profit? Such things were being
done&mdash;Tom did not know just how, but he could easily find
out&mdash;and there were several thousand dollars in the bank to the
firm's account. If that was not enough to meet the first payment he could
probably get Bell Nelson to give him another mortgage on something. Or
was it he that would have to give the mortgage to Bell? It didn't matter.
The thing to do was to jump out to the Extension, buy the well, and show
&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; that he was as good a business man as she
&mdash;better, in fact.</p>

<p>A bus was about to leave, so Tom clambered in.</p>

<p>Barbara Parker had to acknowledge that she was more than a little bit
thrilled at the prospect of seeing Calvin Gray again. She had assured her
father glibly enough that there was nothing &ldquo;going on&rdquo; that
day, but&mdash;there was. It was something to realize that a mere
telegram from her had brought a man of Mr. Gray's importance clear across
the country, and that he was coming straight to her. What mysterious
magic lay in the telegraph!</p>

<p>Ever since their first meeting he had awakened in her a sort of
breathless excitement, the precise significance of which she could not
fathom, and that excitement now was growing hourly. It could not mean
love&mdash;&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; flushed at the thought, for she had no
intention of falling in love with anybody. She was too young; the world
was too new and too exciting for that, and, besides, her life was too
full, her obligations were too many to permit of distractions, agreeable
or disagreeable. Nor, for that matter, was Gray the sort of man to become
seriously interested in a simple person like her; he was complex,
many-sided, cosmopolitan. His extravagant attentions were
meaningless&mdash;And yet, one could never tell; men were queer
creatures; perhaps&mdash;</p>

<p>Little prickles ran over &ldquo;Bob&rdquo;; she felt her whole body
galvanize when she saw Gray coming.</p>

<p>He entered, as she knew he would enter, with the suggestion of having
been blown thither upon the breast of a gale. He was electric; he
throbbed with energy; he was bursting with enthusiasm, and his delight at
seeing her was boyish.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; colored rosily at his instant and extravagant
appreciation of her effort to look more pleasing than usual, but
embarrassment followed her first thrill. She could not believe his
compliments were entirely genuine, therefore she took refuge behind her
coolest, her most businesslike demeanor. For a while they talked about
nothing, although to each the other was eloquent, then &ldquo;Bob&rdquo;
came as quickly as might be to the matter she had wired him about.</p>

<p>He listened with smiling lips and shining eyes, but he heard only the
bare essentials of her story, for his thoughts were galloping, his mind
was busy with new impressions of her, other voices than hers were in his
ears. That was his rose at her breast. She had been pleased at his
coming, otherwise she would not have paid him the girlish compliment of
wearing her best. Evidently she cared for him&mdash;or was she merely
impressed, flattered? Women had called him romantic, whereas he knew
himself to be theatric; he wondered if she&mdash;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I told Jackson you'd be out to look at the well and the books
to-day,&rdquo; &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; was saying. &ldquo;He won't wait an hour
longer.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Splendid! I came the instant you telegraphed&mdash;dropped
everything, in fact. Some of my men are waiting to see me, but I haven't
even notified them of my arrival. Important business, too; nevertheless,
I hurried right here. They can wait.&rdquo; Gray laughed gladly.
&ldquo;Jove! How becoming that hat is. I hired the best-looking car I
could find, and it will be here in a minute. I told myself I had earned a
day with you, and I wouldn't spoil it by permitting you to drive. I've so
much to talk to you about&mdash;business of all sorts&mdash;that I
scarcely know where to begin.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Now &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; had expected to drive to the Northwest Ex
tension with Gray; nothing else had been in her mind; her field clothing
was even laid out ready for a quick change, but a sudden contrariness
took hold of her; she experienced a shy perversity that she could not
explain.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I'm sorry! I&mdash;can't go. I simply can't,&rdquo; she
declared.</p>

<p>He was so obviously disappointed that her determination gained
strength; she was surprised at her own mendacity when she explained the
utter impossibility of leaving the office, and told a circumstantial fib
about a title that had to be closed with people from out of town. The
more she talked the more panicky she became at thought of being for hours
alone with this forceful, this magnetic, this overwhelming person.
Strange, in view of the fact that she had been looking forward to it for
days!</p>

<p>In order finally to get him away before she could change her mind, she
promised to hurry through her affairs and then drive out and bring him
home. There was no time to lose; Jackson was growing impatient; it was a
wonderful deal; there were other days coming&mdash;</p>

<p>When Gray had gone and &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; was alone, she drew a deep
breath. Her pulse was rapid, she was tingling as if from some stimulating
current. What a man! What an effect he had upon people! What a fool she
had been not to go!</p>

<p>The road to Burkburnett is well surfaced for some distance outside of
Wichita Falls, therefore Gray leaned back with eyes closed as the car
sped over it, picturing again his meeting with Barbara, recalling her
words of greeting, puzzling over the subtle change in her demeanor at the
last. Perhaps he had frightened her. He was given to overenthusiasm; this
would be a lesson.</p>

<p>Queer how women interfere with business. Here he was going at things
backward, whirling out to the oil fields when he should be with McWade
and Stoner. They would probably be distracted at his nonarrival,
but&mdash;this was business, too. And she would drive out to get him.
There would be the long ride back. Far away across the undulating prairie
fields the horizon was broken by a low, dark barricade, the massed
derricks of the town-site pool. So thickly were they grouped that they
resembled a dense forest of high, black pines, and not until Gray drew
closer could he note that this strange forest was leafless.</p>

<p>By now the roads were quagmires, and the unceasing current of traffic
had thickened and slowed down until Gray's car rocked and plunged through
a hub-deep channel of slime. There was but one route to the Extension,
and it led through the very heart of Burkburnett; there were no detours
around the town, no way of beating the traffic, therefore vehicles, no
matter how urgent their business, were forced to fall in line and allow
themselves to be carried along like chips in a stream of tar.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Burk&rdquo; was a one-story town, or at least most of its
buildings projected only one story above the mud, and that mud was mixed
with oil. Leakage from wells, pipe lines, storagetanks, had made the mass
underfoot doubly foul and sticky, and where it was liquid it shone with
iridescent colors. Mud was everywhere; on the sidewalks, inside the
stores, on walls and signboards, on the skins and clothing of the
people.</p>

<p>Through the main street the procession of cars plowed, then out across
the railroad tracks and toward the open country beyond. When it came to a
halt, as it frequently did, above the hum of idle motors could be heard
the clank of pumps, the fitful coughing of gasengines, the hiss of steam.
This, of course, was soon drowned in a terrific din of impatient horns, a
blaring, brazen snarl at the delay. The whole line roared metallic curses
at the cause of its stoppage.</p>

<p>Even the railroad right of way had been drilled. Switch engines
shunted rows of flats almost between the straddling derrick legs.</p>

<p>Gray's driver had been dumb thus far, now he broke out abruptly:
&ldquo;Speaking about mud; I was crossing this street on a plank the
other day when I saw a bran'-new derby lying in the mud and picked it up.
Underneath it was a guy's head.</p>

<p>&ldquo;'Hullo!' I said. 'You're in pretty deep, ain't you?'</p>

<p>&ldquo;The feller looked up at me and said: 'This ain't bad. You'd
ought to see my brother. I'm standing on his shoulders!'&ldquo;</p>

<p>The chauffeur laughed loudly at his own humor. &ldquo;<i>Some</i>
country, I call it! But the sun's out, so it will be blowing sand
to-morrow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When Burkburnett had been left behind, another and a vaster island of
derricks came into view. It marked the Burk-Waggoner pool, part of the
Northwest Extension, so called.</p>

<p>The car was waiting its turn to cross a tiny toll bridge spanning a
sluggish creek, the bed of which ran seepage oil from the wells beyond,
when the driver grumbled aloud:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Four bits to cross a forty-foot bridge. There's a graft for
you! One old nester above here tore a hole in his fence opposite a wet
place in the road and charged us half a dollar to drive through his
pasture. But it was cheaper than getting stuck. He had to carry his coin
home in an oat sack. After a few weeks somebody got to wondering why that
spot never dried out, and, come to investigate, wha' d'you
think?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I seldom think when I am being entertained,&rdquo; his
passenger declared.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, that poor stupid had dammed the creek, and every night he
shut the gate and flooded his road.&rdquo;</p>

<p>If the clustered derricks of the town-site pool were impressive, there
was something positively dramatic about the Extension. Burkburnett had
been laid out in lots and blocks, and the drilling had followed some sort
of orderly system; but here were no streets, no visible plan. This had
been a wheat field, and as well after well had come in, derricks,
drilling rigs, buildings, tanks, piles of timber, and casing had been
laid down with complete disregard of all save the owner's convenience.
Overnight new pipe lines were being laid, for hours counted here and the
crude had to find outlet&mdash;fuel had to be brought in. These pipe
lines were never buried, and in consequence the ceaseless flow of traffic
was forever forced to seek new channels. The place became a bewildering
maze through which teams floundered and motor vehicles plunged at
random.</p>

<p>Towns had sprung up, for this army of workers was isolated in a sea of
mud, but whereas &ldquo;Burk&rdquo; was more or less permanent, Newtown,
Bradley's Corners, Bridgetown, were cities of canvas, boards, and
corrugated iron. By day they were mean, filthy, grotesque; by night they
became incandescent, for every derrick was strung with lights, and the
surplus supply of gas was burned in torches to prevent it from
accumulating in ravines or hollows in explosive quantities. They were
Mardi Gras cities.</p>

<p>Day by day this field spread onward toward the Red River; the whole
region smelled of oil.</p>

<p>Fire, of course, was an ever-present menace. Newtown, for instance,
had been wiped out several times, for it lay on a slope down which a
broken pipe line could belch a resistless wave of flame, and even yet the
place was a litter of charred timber, twisted pipe, and crumpled sheets
of galvanized iron. Owing to this menace the residents had taken the only
possible precaution. They had dug in. Behind each place of business was a
cyclone cellar&mdash;a bomb-proof shelter&mdash;into which human bodies
and stocks of merchandise could be crowded.</p>

<p>Gray drove directly to the lease he had come to examine, and was
disappointed to learn that the owner had just left. This was annoying;
&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; had assured him that he was expected. Inquiry elicited
from the surly individual in charge no more than the reluctant admission
that Jackson had been called to the nearest telephone, but would be back
sometime.</p>

<p>There was nothing to do but wait. Gray let his car go, then made a
cursory examination of the property. He could see little and learn less.
The caretaker agreed that the well was pumping one hundred and fifty
barrels a day.</p>

<p>Some evasiveness in this fellow's demeanor awoke Gray's suspicion. A
sudden telephone call. The owner's absence when he expected a purchaser.
Probably somebody else was after the property. It was decidedly worth
while to wait.</p>

<p>Gray was unaccustomed to inattention, incivility, and had anybody
except &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; Parker put him in this position he would have
resented it. Under the circumstances, however, he could do nothing except
cool his heels. As time passed he began to feel foolish; by late lunch
time he was irritable; and as the afternoon wore on he grew angry. Why
didn't &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; come, as she had promised? He had lost a day,
and days were precious.</p>

<p>Evening found him wandering about aimlessly, in a villainous mood, but
stubbornly determined to see this thing through at whatever cost. He had
no wish to spend a night amid these surroundings, for respectable people
shunned these oil-field camps after dark, and he knew himself to be
conspicuous. It would add a ridiculous climax to a trying day to be
&ldquo;high-jacked&rdquo;&mdash;to be frisked of his jewelry.</p>

<p>During the early dusk he returned to the lease, only to find even the
greasy caretaker gone. By this time Gray was decidedly uncomfortable,
and, to add to his discomfort, he conceived the notion that he was being
followed. On second thought he dismissed this idea, nevertheless he took
a roundabout course back toward the main street.</p>

<p>It seemed odd to be floundering through inky shadows, feeling a way
through this miry chaos, when aloft, as far as the eye could see, the sky
was lit. This phantom city of twinkling beacons gave one a sense of acute
unreality, for it was an empty city, a city the work of which went on
almost without the aid of human hands. The very soul of it was
mechanical. Only here and there, where a drill crew was at work, did an
occasional human figure move back and forth in the glare of low-hung
incandescents, nevertheless the whole place breathed and throbbed; it was
instinct with a tremendous vigor. From all sides came the ceaseless
rhythmic clank of pumps, the hiss of gas and steam, the gurgling flow of
liquid&mdash; they were the pulse beats, the respirations, the blood flow
of this live thing. And its body odor stung the nostrils. All night long
it panted with its heavy labors&mdash;as if the jinns that lifted those
giant pump beams were vying with one another in a desperate endeavor.
They were, for a fact. Haste, avarice, an arduous diligence, was in the
very air.</p>

<p>Gray stared and marveled, for imagination was not lacking in him.
Those derricks with their fires were high altars upon which were heaped
ten thousand hopes and prayers. Altars of Avarice! Towers of Greed! That
is what they were.</p>

<p>He marvelled, too, at the extremes these last few days had brought
him; at the long cry from the luxurious Burlington Notch to this
primitive land of fire worshipers. Here, only a few hours by motor from
paved streets and comfortable homes, was a section of the real frontier,
as crude and as lawless as any he had ever seen. Yonder, for instance,
was the Red Lion, a regular Klondike dance hall.</p>

<p>He looked in for a moment, but the sight of hard-faced houris
revolving cheek to cheek with men in overalls and boots was nothing new.
It did remind him of the march of progress, however, to notice that the
bartenders served coca-cola instead of &ldquo;hootch.&rdquo; Hygienic,
but vain, he reflected. Not at all like the brave old days.</p>

<p>Farther up the street was a flaming theater decorated with gaudy
lithographs of women in tights. That awoke a familiar echo. The grimy
figures headed thither might well be miners just in from Eldorado or
Anvil Creek.</p>

<p>Gambling was practically wide open, too, and before long Gray found
himself in a superheated, overcrowded back room with a stack of silver
dollars which he scattered carelessly upon the numbers of a roulette
table. Roulette was much like the oil game. This was a good way in which
to kill an hour.</p>

<p>Absorbed in his own thoughts, Gray paid little heed to those about
him, until a large hand picked up one of his bets. Then he raised his
eyes. The hand was attached to a muscular arm, which in turn was attached
to a burly stranger of unpleasant mien. Gray voiced a good-natured
protest, but the fellow scowled and refused to acknowledge his mistake.
Noting that the man was flushed, Gray shrugged and allowed the incident
to pass. This bootleg whisky from across Red River was of a quality to
scatter a person's eyesight.</p>

<p>For some time the game continued before Gray won again, and the dealer
deposited thirty-five silver dollars beside his bet. Again that
sun-browned hand reached forth, but this time Gray seized it by the
wrist. He and the stranger eyed each other for a silent moment, during
which the other players looked on.</p>

<p>Gray was the first to speak. &ldquo;If you're not as drunk as you
seem,&rdquo; he said, easily, &ldquo;you'll excuse yourself. If you are,
you need sobering.&rdquo;</p>

<p>With a wrench the man undertook to free his hand; he uttered a
threatening oath. The next instant he was treated to a surprise, for Gray
jerked him forward and simultaneously his empty palm struck the fellow a
blinding, a resounding smack. Twice he smote that reddened cheek with the
sound of an explosion, then, as the victim flung his body backward, Gray
kicked his feet from under him. Again he cuffed the fellow's face, this
time from the other side. When he finally desisted the stranger rocked in
his tracks; he shook his head; he blinked and he cursed; it was a moment
before he could focus his whirling sight upon his assailant. When he
succeeded it was to behold the latter staring at him with a mocking,
threatening smile.</p>

<p>The drunken man hesitated, he cast a slow glance around the room, then
muttering, hoarsely, he turned and made for the door. He was followed by
a burst of derisive laughter that grew louder as he went.</p>

<p>Gray was in a better mood now than for several hours; he had vented
his irritation; the air had cleared. After a while he discovered that he
was hungry; no longer was he too resentful to heed the healthy warning of
his stomach, so he left the place.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_20">CHAPTER XIX</a></h3>

<p>Newton's eating places were not appetizing at best, but a meal could
be endured with less discomfort by night than by day, for at such times
most of the flies were on the ceilings. The restaurant Gray entered was
about what he had expected; along one side ran a quick-order counter at
which were seated several customers; across from it was an
oilcloth-covered table, perfectly bare except for a revolving
centerpiece&mdash;one of those silver-plated whirligigs fitted with a
glass salt-and-pepper shaker, a toothpick holder, an unpleasant oil
bottle, and a cruet intended for vinegar, but now filled with some
mysterious embalming fluid acting as a preservative of numerous lifelike
insect remains. Here, facing an elderly man in a wide gray-felt hat, Gray
seated himself.</p>

<p>Gray's neighbor was in no pleasant mood, for he whacked impatiently at
such buzzing pests as were still on the wing, and when a perspiring Greek
set a plate of soup before him he took umbrage at the presence of the
fellow's thumb in the liquid. The argument that followed angered the old
man still further, for it arrived nowhere except to prove that the
offending thumb was the property of the proprietor of the restaurant, and
by inference, therefore, a privileged digit.</p>

<p>When a departing customer left the door open, the elderly diner
grumbled bitterly at the draught and draped his overcoat over his bent
shoulders.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Dam' Eskimos!&rdquo; he muttered. &ldquo;&mdash;&mdash;raised
in a chicken coop&mdash;Windy as a derrick!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray liked old people, and he was tolerant of their crotchets.
Irascibility indicates force of character, at least so he believed, and
old folks are apt to accept too meekly the approach of decay. Here was a
spirit that time had not dulled&mdash;it was like wine soured in an old
cask. At any rate, wine it had been, not water, and that was
something.</p>

<p>Most of the counter customers had drifted out when, without warning,
the screen door banged loudly open and Gray looked up from his plate to
see his recent acquaintance of the gambling table approaching. This time
purpose was stamped upon the man's face, but whether it was deliberate or
merely the result of more drinking there was no telling. He lurched
directly up to the table and stared across at Gray.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Slapped my face, didn't you?&rdquo; he cried, after a menacing
moment.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I did, indeed,&rdquo; the speaker nodded, pleasantly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You ain't going to slap it again. You ain't going to slap
anybody's&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What makes you think I won't?&rdquo; Gray became aware as he
spoke that his elderly neighbor had raised to the intruder a countenance
stamped with a peculiar expression of incredulity, almost of anger, at
the interruption, and that the two remaining counter customers had turned
startled faces over their shoulders, while the proprietor, his arms full
of dishes, had paused beside the swinging door to the kitchen.</p>

<p>That which occurred next came unexpectedly. The stranger whipped out
from under his coat a revolver, at the same time voicing a profane answer
to the challenge. The proprietor uttered a bleat of terror; he dropped
his dishes and dived out of the room; the men on the stools scrambled
down and plunged after him.</p>

<p>As Calvin Gray rose to his feet it was with a flash of mingled anger
and impatience. This quarrel was so utterly senseless, it served so
little purpose.</p>

<p>&ldquo;My friend,&rdquo; he cried, sharply, &ldquo;if you don't put up
that gun, one of us will go to a hospital.&rdquo;</p>

<p>In spite of the intruder's haste in drawing his weapon, he appeared
now to lack the will promptly to use it&mdash;his laggard spirit required
a further scourge, so it seemed; something more to goad it into final
fury. It was a phenomenon by no means uncommon, for it is not easy to
shoot down an unarmed victim.</p>

<p>By way of rousing his savagery, the fellow uttered a bellow, then,
like a warrior smiting his shield with his spear before the charge, he
swung his heavy weapon, smashing at one blow that silver-plated
merry-go-round with its cluster of bottles.</p>

<p>A shower of toothpicks, fragments of glass, a spatter of oil and
vinegar covered the old man in the end chair, and he rose with a cry that
drew a swift glance from the desperado.</p>

<p>Gray was upon the point of launching himself over the table when he
witnessed a peculiar transformation in his assailant. The man's
expression altered with almost comic suddenness, he lowered his weapon
and took a backward step. Gray, too, had cause for astonishment, for the
elderly man was moving slowly toward the disturber, his overcoat,
meanwhile, hanging loosely from his left shoulder, like a mantle. His
gray face had grown white, malignant, threatening; he advanced with a
queer, sidling gait, edging forward behind the shelter of his garment as
if behind a barricade. But what challenged Gray's instant attention was
the certainty of purpose, the cold, confident menace behind the old
fellow's demeanor. There was something appalling about him; he had
suddenly become huge and dominant.</p>

<p>That he had been recognized was plain, for the armed man cried,
agitatedly: &ldquo;Look out, Tom! I don't want any truck with
<i>you</i>.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The deliberate advance continued; in a harsh voice Tom answered:
&ldquo;I don't allow anybody to interfere with me when I'm eating!&rdquo;
For every step he shuffled forward the man before him fell back a
corresponding distance.</p>

<p>Again the newcomer rasped out his warning, and Gray, too, added his
voice, saying: &ldquo;Leave him to me, old man. This is my
quarrel.&rdquo; As he spoke he moved around the end of the table, but the
mantled figure halted him with an imperious jerk of the head. Without in
the slightest diverting his steady gaze, Tom snapped:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hands off, stranger! I won't have you buttin' in, either. I
don't allow anybody to interfere with me when I'm eating.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray was checked less by the exasperation, by the authority in the
speaker's tone, than by the fact that the entire complexion of the affair
had changed. The ruffian, who had entered so confidently, was no longer
the aggressor; a mere look, a word, a gesture from this aged, unknown
person had put him upon the defensive. More extraordinary still was the
fact that his power of initiative was for the moment completely
paralyzed, and that he was tortured by a deplorable indecision. He was
furious, that was plain, nevertheless his anger had been halted in
mid-flight, as it were; desperation battled with an inexplicable dread.
He raised his hands now, but more in a gesture of surrender than of
threat.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't come any closer,&rdquo; he cried, hoarsely. &ldquo;Don't
do it, I tell you! <i>Don't&mdash;do it!</i>'&ldquo; There was no longer
any thickness to his tongue; he spoke as one quite sober.</p>

<p>When for the third time that malevolent voice repeated, &ldquo;I don't
allow anybody to interfere with me when I'm eating,&rdquo; the solitary
onlooker felt an absurd desire to laugh. During intensely dramatic
moments nervous laughter is near the surface, and there was something
rigidly dramatic about the methodical, sidling advance of that man half
crouched behind his overcoat. Tom, as he had been called, gave Gray the
impression of Death itself marching slowly forward to drape that black
shroud upon his cowering victim.</p>

<p>Brief as had been the whole episode, already passers-by had halted,
staring faces were glued to the front windows of the cafe. Well they
might stare at those two tense figures, one advancing, the other
retreating, as if to the measures of some slow dance.</p>

<p>[Illustration: &ldquo;DON'T COME ANY CLOSER. DON'T DO IT, I TELL
YOU!&rdquo;]</p>

<p>But the tempo changed abruptly. The desperado's back brought up
against the swinging kitchen door; it gave to his weight and decision was
born of that instant. With a cry he flung himself backward, the spring
door snapped to and swallowed him up with the speed of a camera shutter;
then followed the sound of his heavy rushing footsteps.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hell!&rdquo; exclaimed the old man. &ldquo;I had his buttons
counted!&rdquo; With the words he let fall his overcoat, and there,
beneath it, Gray beheld what he had more than half suspected, what indeed
was ample cause for the quarrelsome stranger's apprehension. Held close
to the owner's body was what in the inelegant jargon of the West is known
as a &ldquo;dog leg.&rdquo; The weapon, a frontier Colt's of heavy
caliber, was full cocked under the old man's thumb; the hand holding it
was as steady as the blazing eyes above.</p>

<p>With a smile Gray said, &ldquo;Allow me to congratulate you, sir, upon
a most impressive demonstration of the power of mind over
matter.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A little killin' helps those scoun'rels,&rdquo; breathed the
white-haired warrior. &ldquo;Surgin' around, wreakin' vengeance on
vinegar bottles! And me with a bad indigestion!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't often permit others to do my fighting. But you wouldn't
let&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't allow anybody&mdash;&rdquo; doggedly began the former
speaker, but the street door burst open, a noisy crowd poured into the
room, a volley of excited questions was raised. Amid the confusion Gray
heard his own name shouted, and found himself set upon by two agitated
friends, Mallow and Stoner. They had been combing Newtown for him, so
they declared, and were near by when attracted by the excitement on the
sidewalk. What was the trouble? Was Gray hurt?</p>

<p>He assured them that he was not, and explained in a few words the
origin of the encounter. But other concerns, it seemed, occupied the
minds of the pair, and before he had finished Mallow was dragging him
towards the door, crying, breathlessly: &ldquo;Gee, Governor! You gave us
a run. We've been coming since noon.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It was only by the grace of God,&rdquo; Stoner declared,
&ldquo;that we heard you were out here and why you'd come. We managed to
get a phone call through to Jackson, but it was&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Jackson? I've been looking for him all the
afternoon.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! Mallow swore he was all right, but Mac and I don't know
him, and we figured he might turn a trick. Anyhow, Mallow and I jumped
the Lizzie and looped it. Boy! I tramped on her some, until we hit bottom
the other side of Burk. Mallow went clean through the top. I guess I
smashed the whole rear end, but we couldn't wait to see. They'll have her
stripped naked, tires, cushions, and all, before we get back. Motor, too,
probably. We've been hitting it afoot, on wagons and pipe
trucks&mdash;managed to get a service car finally, but it fell open like
a book. Just one of those dam' unlucky trips.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Jackson didn't get to you, did he?&rdquo; Mallow inquired,
anxiously.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Get to me? No. Nor I to him.&rdquo; Gray spoke impatiently.
&ldquo;What is this all about?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Simply this, Governor: Jackson's well is a 'set-up'! For
Nelson! We nearly dropped dead when we found out that Parker kid had laid
<i>you</i> against it. Why didn't you <i>tell us</i>&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What are you saying? I don't&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The well's phony. Dry as a pretzel.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;In what way? I saw the oil&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Never mind. Lay off!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I think I'm entitled to an explanation.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, then, it's salted!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Impossible! I saw it pumping.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll say you did.&rdquo; Mallow chuckled. &ldquo;Live oil, too;
right out of old Mamma Earth. Cheap lease at seventy-five thousand, eh?
It's like this: the pipe line of the Atlantic runs across Jackson's
lease, and one dark and stormy night he tapped it. It wasn't a hard thing
to do; just took a little care and some digging. Now he runs the oil in,
pumps it out and sells it back to them. He's a regular subsidiary of the
great and only Atlantic Petroleum Company. It can't last long, of course,
but&mdash;oh, what a well to hand Nelson! What a laugh it would have
been!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Outrageous!&rdquo; Gray exclaimed. &ldquo;I can't believe you
are in earnest.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It <i>is</i> shocking, isn't it? Such dishonesty is incredible.
And what an unhappy surprise for the company when they finally locate the
leak!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray clamped a heavy hand upon the speaker's shoulder; harshly he
inquired, &ldquo;Do you mean to say that Miss Parker
deliberately&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She don't know anything about it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You said she 'laid me' against it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No, no! I merely tipped her to it because she's one of Nelson's
brokers.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She's his sweetie,&rdquo; Stoner added. &ldquo;He's going to
marry her, so Mallow thought he'd surely fall for it, coming from
her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You&mdash;you're not fit to mention that girl's name, either of
you.&rdquo; Gray's tone was one of quivering anger. &ldquo;If you involve
her in your crooked dealings, even indirectly, I'll&mdash;God! What a
dirty trick.&rdquo; He flung Mallow aside in disgust. &ldquo;You ought to
be shot.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, Governor! We wouldn't hurt that kid. She's
aces.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I told you my fight with Nelson was to be fair and
square.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There followed a moment of silence. Mallow and Stoner exchanged
glances. &ldquo;What percentage of that goes?&rdquo; the former finally
inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;One hundred.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;So? Then it's lucky Nelson didn't fall. But there's no harm
done &mdash;nobody's hurt.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is lucky, indeed-for me. I'd have felt bound to make good
his loss, if you had hooked him. I presume I ought to expose this
swindle.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Expose Jackson?&rdquo; Stoner inquired, quickly. When Gray
nodded, there was another brief silence before the speaker ventured to
say: &ldquo;I know this bird Nelson, and, take it from me, you're giving
him the best of it. If I hadn't known him as well as I do, I wouldn't of
put in with you to break him. It's all right to trim a sucker once; it's
like letting the blood of a sick man&mdash;he's better for it. But to
ride a square guy to death, to keep his veins open&mdash;well, I ain't in
that kind of business. Now about this Jackson; you can land him, I
s'pose, if you try, but it would be lower than a frog's foot, after him
playing square with you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He could have stung you, easy, couldn't he? You surged out here
on purpose to buy the lease, but he hid out all afternoon to avoid
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He is a thief. He is stealing hundreds of dollars a
day.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! From the Atlantic, that has stolen hundreds of thousands
from the likes of him&mdash;yes, millions. It was the Atlantic that broke
the market to sixty-five cents, filled their storage tanks and contracted
a million barrels more than they had tankage for, then gypped the price
to three dollars. I can't shed any tears over that outfit.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Let's not argue the ethics of big business. The law of supply
and demand&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Supply and demand, eh? Ever strike you as queer that crude
never breaks as long as the big companies have got their tanks full? The
price always toboggans when they're empty, and comes back when they're
filled up. That's supply and demand with the reverse English, ain't it?
Say, the Atlantic and those others play with us outsiders like we was
mice. When their bellies get empty they eat as many of us as they want,
then they let the rest of us scurry around and hunt up new fields. We run
all the risks; we spend our coin, and when we strike a new pool they
burgle us over again.&rdquo; Stoner was speaking with a good deal of
heat. &ldquo;Big business, eh? Well, here's some little
business&mdash;dam' little. The Atlantic leased a lot of scattered
acreage I know about and drilled it. Pulled off their crews at the top of
the sand and drilled in with men they could trust. It turned out good,
but they capped their wells, wrecked their rigs, and, of course, that
condemned the whole territory. Then they set about buying it all in,
cheap&mdash; through dummies. Double-crossed the farmers, see? Friend of
mine took a chance; put down a well on his own. The usual thing happened;
they broke him. It took a lot of doing, but they broke him. One little
trick they did was to cock a bit and drop it in the hole. That prank cost
him sixteen thousand dollars before he could 'side track' the tool. He
quit, finally, less 'n a hundred feet from big pay. Then, having bought
up solid for near nothing they came back and started business, laughing
merrily. That's the Atlantic.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A splendid lecture on commercial honesty. I am inspired by it,
and I reverence your scruples, but&mdash;I grope for the moral of the
story.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The moral is, mind your own business and&mdash;and give a guy a
chance.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! Suppose we leave it at that for the present.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow, who had remained silent during his friend's argument, greeted
this suggestion with relief. He was glad to change the subject.
&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; he cried, heartily. &ldquo;I'd about as soon face Old
Tom Parker, like that fellow in the restaurant did, as to face Jackson.
He'd sink a stillson in my head, sure, if&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Parker? Was that old man Miss Parker's father?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Certainly! What d'you think ailed that gunman? D'you think he
got the flu or something, all of a sudden? There ain't anybody left tough
enough to hanker for Tom's scalp. He's pinned a rose on all of those
old-timers, and he's deadly poison to the new crop.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For the first time Calvin Gray understood clearly the reason for the
unexpected outcome of that encounter in the cafe. No wonder the
stranger's trigger finger had been paralyzed. Barbara's father, indeed!
How stupid of him not to guess. On the heels of his first surprise came
another thought; suppose that old Paladin should consider that he, Gray,
had shown weakness in allowing another to assume the burden of his
quarrel? And suppose he should tell his daughter about it! That would be
a situation, indeed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I must find him, quickly,&rdquo; Gray declared. &ldquo;Perhaps
he'll ride back to town with us.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was not a difficult task to locate the veteran officer, and Tom was
delighted at the chance to ride home with his new acquaintance.</p>

<p>That journey back to civilization was doubly pleasant, for Mr. Parker
cherished no such feelings as Gray had feared, and, moreover, he
responded quickly to the younger man's efforts to engage his liking. They
got along famously from the start, and Tom positively blossomed under the
attentions he received. It had been a trying day for him, but his ill
humor quickly disappeared in the warmth of a new-found friendship, and he
talked more than was his custom. He was even led to speak of old days,
old combats, of which the bloodless encounter that evening was but a tame
reminder. The pictures he conjured up were colorful.</p>

<p>A unique and an engaging person he proved to be; an odd compound of
gentleness and acerbity, of kindliness and rancor; a quiet, guileless,
stubborn, violent old man-at-arms, who would not be interrupted while he
was eating. He was both scornful and contemptuous of evildoers. All
needed killing.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hard luck, I call it, for a budding desperado to wreck a career
of promise the way that wretched fellow did,&rdquo; Gray told him with a
laugh. &ldquo;Out of all the men in Texas, to pick you&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, he ain't a bud! He's quite a killer.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He kills Mexicans and niggers and folks without guns, mostly.
Low-down stuff! He's got three or four, I believe. I never could see why
the Nelsons kep' him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a brief silence. &ldquo;I beg pardon?&rdquo; said Gray.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's been on the Nelson pay roll for years&mdash;doing odd jobs
that wasn't fit to be done. But I guess they got tired of him, anyhow
he's been hanging around Wichita for the last two or three weeks. He's
been in an out of our office quite a bit.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Your office? What for?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dunno, unless he took a shine to 'Bob.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not&mdash;really?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mr. Parker uttered an unpleasant sound. &ldquo;She never said anything
about it, but I suspicioned she had to order him out, finally. I'd of
split his third shirt button if he'd stood his ground. He knew I had
something on him, but he couldn't figure just what it was.&rdquo; Old
Tom's teeth shone through the gloom. &ldquo;A man will 'most always act
like that when he don't know just where he's at. I knew where <i>I</i>
was at, all the time, only I wanted to see that button plain. I allus
know where <i>I'm</i> at.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Later, when the journey was over and Tom Parker had been dropped at
his gate, Gray spoke to his two companions.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did you hear what he said?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We did.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do you believe I was framed?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Both Mallow and Stoner nodded. &ldquo;Don't you?&rdquo; the former
inquired. When no answer was forthcoming, he said: &ldquo;Better give us
the flag, Governor. We're rar'ing to go.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You mean&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You know what I mean. Nelson's so crooked his bedclothes fall
off. We pulled a boner this time, but Brick has got another window
dressed for him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll think it over,&rdquo; said Gray.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_21">CHAPTER XX</a></h3>

<p>Ozark Briskow, like his sister Allegheny, was studying hard and
learning rapidly, but he had adopted an educational plan, a curriculum,
so to speak, far different from hers. Whereas she lived between book
covers and the thousand and one details of her daily existence were
governed by a bewildering army of &ldquo;don'ts,&rdquo; Buddy had devised
his own peculiar system of acquiring wisdom, and from it the word
&ldquo;don't&rdquo; had been deliberately dropped. His excursion into the
halls of learning, brief as it had been, had convinced him that books
could teach him only words, whereas he craved experiences, ideas,
adventures. Adventure comes at night; pleasure walks by gaslight. Young
Briskow told himself that he had missed a lot of late hours and would
have to work diligently to catch up, but he undertook the effort with
commendable courage.</p>

<p>It is said that all wish to possess knowledge, but few are willing to
pay the price. Buddy was one of the minority. Early he adopted the motto,
&ldquo;Money no object,&rdquo; and it provoked him not at all to learn
that there is a scale of night prices considerably higher than the scale
of day prices; to find, for instance, that a nocturnal highball costs
twice as much as one purchased during daylight hours. That phenomenon, by
the way, had nothing to do with the provisions of the Eighteenth
Amendment, it merely explained why farmers went to bed early&mdash;they
couldn't afford to sit up, so Buddy decided.</p>

<p>He had learned a lot since leaving school, not only about prohibition,
but also about speed laws, men's fashions, facial massage, the fox trot
and the shimmy, caviar, silk pajamas, bromo- seltzer, the language of
flowers, and many of the pleasures and displeasures of the higher
intellectual life, such as love and insomnia.</p>

<p>His education was progressing apace, for love is the greatest of
educators, and Buddy was in love&mdash;madly, extravagantly in love. Love
it was that accounted for his presence in Dallas, and his occupancy of
the Governor's suite at the Ajax. A fellow in love with the most
wonderful woman in the world couldn't afford to look cheap in his home
town, could he?</p>

<p>Of course Dallas was not Buddy's home town, but it had been his point
of departure into the world, and it was the home of his bank account,
hence some pride of proprietorship was pardonable. It gave him such a
pleasing sense of importance to adopt the city as his own that he adopted
everything and everybody in it.</p>

<p>In spite of the fact that the train from Wichita Falls was behind
time, one morning shortly after Buddy's arrival, he was still abed when
Calvin Gray arrived at the hotel. Instead of disturbing the slumbers of
youth, Gray went directly to the detective who had telegraphed him, and
for half an hour or more the two talked.</p>

<p>Later, during the course of a leisurely bath and shave, the new
arrival pondered the information he had received. Here was a problem.
Having dressed himself, he strolled around to Coverly's place of business
and interviewed the jeweler.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! He has bought quite a bit of stuff in the last few
days,&rdquo; Coverly told him. &ldquo;He was in only yesterday and
ordered a fine piece made up. He wanted a ruby heart pierced with a
diamond arrow, but I got him off that and onto a blue Brazilian
solitaire. We're mounting it in a platinum lady's ring.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What is the price?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Forty-five hundred, and the value is there.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Have you seen the woman?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Coverly nodded. &ldquo;The boy is a good picker. I don't blame her
much, either, for I've seen a lot of worse-looking fellows than
Buddy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hold the ring. He may change his mind.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I say!&rdquo; Coverly was in dismay. &ldquo;Are you going to
spoil the best sale I've made in two weeks?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I'll take it off your hands if he doesn't. Make some excuse
not to deliver it until I say the word. You don't know the woman,
eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Never saw her before.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray knocked several times at the Governor's suite before a sleepy
response, a succession of yawns and mutterings, told him that he had been
heard. The door opened finally and the pride of the Briskow family, his
eyes all but swelled shut, his muscular figure splendidly arrayed in
futuristic silken pajamas, mumbled:</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's eatin' you, any&mdash;?&rdquo; The eyes opened wider,
Buddy's face broke into a slow smile. &ldquo;Why, Mr. Gray!&rdquo; He
extended a palm, a bit dry and feverish, and drew his caller inside.
&ldquo;Dawg-gone! I'm glad to see you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray entered with a buoyant laugh and a hearty greeting; he clapped
the young giant heavily upon the back. At the blow Buddy voiced a sharp
cry and seized his head.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Easy over the bumps! I'm carryin' a cargo of nitroglycerine,
and I'll let go if you jar me,&rdquo; he explained.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sorry! I know how it feels. But, man alive, it's afternoon! I
began to think you were dead.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy led the way into his bedroom, piled his pillows together and
gingerly lowered himself upon them. He showed his strong white teeth in a
wide grin and winked meaningly. &ldquo;I'll be all right directly. It's
this here sim&mdash;sympathetic booze they talk about. Have a drink, Mr.
Gray? There's a coupla bottles of real liquor in the closet&mdash;not
this tiger's milk you get&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>The caller declined the invitation. &ldquo;Where the devil have you
been, Buddy? We were getting worried.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Who, me? Oh, I been&mdash;lookin' around.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Your mother is nearly frantic.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy stirred uneasily. &ldquo;Pshaw! I'm fine. I can take keer of
myself. Nobody don't need to worry about me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good! Now then, you young scoundrel, I'm going to order you the
sort of breakfast that goes with what ails you, and while it is coming
up, you are going to jump under the shower.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where d'you get that 'jump' stuff?&rdquo; the youth inquired,
faintly. &ldquo;Besides, I'm clean.&rdquo;</p>

<p>But Gray had seized the phone, and as soon as he had given his order
he strode into the bathroom and turned on the water. He was out again in
a moment, then laughingly he dragged the aching Texan from his couch.
&ldquo;Under you go,&rdquo; he insisted, &ldquo;or I'll wet down your
whole Japanese flower garden.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Some pajamas, ain't they? I got a dozen pairs,&rdquo; Buddy
said, proudly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quick! If you think I'll consent to hang around a lonesome
hotel while you sleep, you're mistaken. I can't tell you how glad I am to
run into you, Buddy. I'm dying to have a riotous time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Eh?&rdquo; Briskow turned an inquiring face to the speaker.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've been hibernating in the wilderness, sucking my paw and
living off my fat, like a bear. I want you to shown me this
town.&rdquo;</p>

<p>A bath, a brisk rubdown, and breakfast put Buddy in fairly good fettle
once more; so marked was his improvement, in fact, that Gray envied him
his glorious gift of youth.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Flying pretty high, aren't you?&rdquo; the elder man inquired,
with a wave of the hand that took in the expensive suite.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, I ain't exactly broke.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;True. But I know what these rooms cost. That's going strong for
a lad like you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You took 'em, didn't you, when you had less 'n I
got?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ahem! It is embarrassing to be held up as an example. I've done
a good many things, Buddy, that I wouldn't like to see you do.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If they wouldn't hurt me any more 'n they've hurt you I'd like
to try'em.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Another proof that you are still in short pants. I'm a bad
person to copy. By the way, why did you quit school?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy considered his reply, then: &ldquo;I reckon it was because of
them short pants you speak about. I can't stand bein' laughed at, Mr.
Gray. It comes hard to stand up in a class along with a bunch of children
and make mistakes and have a little boy in a lace collar and spring heels
snap his fingers and sing out in a sweet soprano, 'Oh, tee-<i>cher!</i> '
Then have him show you up. They put me in with a lot of nursin' babes.
What the hell? I weigh a hundred and ninety and I got a beard!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Didn't you learn anything?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy closed a meaning eye, and his pleasant features wrinkled into
that infectious smile. &ldquo;I'll tell the world I did! After the
whistlin' squabs was asleep in their nests I went out among the
whippoorwills an' the bats. Ain't it funny how quick folks can learn to
put up with bad grammar when you got a jingle in your jeans? I guess I've
got enough education to do me; anyhow, I can write Ozark Briskow in the
lower right-hand corner and that seems to get me by.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You wouldn't consent to go back or&mdash;have a tutor, like
Allie?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Who, <i>me?</i>&rdquo; Briskow laughed scornfully.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m! Merely a suggestion. You are the architect of your own
career.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm fed up on that kind of schoolin', Mr. Gray. I&mdash;&rdquo;
Buddy's face reddened, he dropped his eyes. &ldquo;I don't mind tellin'
<i>you</i>&mdash;I&mdash; It's like this&mdash;I kinda got a
girl!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>No!</i>&rdquo; The speaker was surprised, incredulous.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure have. She's&mdash;wonderful. She's right here in this
hotel!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buddy, you're developing!&rdquo; Gray exclaimed, with apparent
admiration.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I been showin&rdquo; her the sights&mdash;that's what ails me
this morning. She lets me take her around to places&mdash;trusts me, you
understand? She thinks I'm aces.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Splendid! I wish you'd ask her to dig up a friend.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How d'you mean?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, ask her to find another good-looking girl for me&mdash;I
assume she<i>is</i> good looking&mdash;then we can make it a foursome.
I'm a great entertainer, and, while I don't drink, I haven't the
slightest objection to ladies who do. Dallas, I believe, is a pretty
lively&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She's a stranger here,&rdquo; Buddy broke in, stiffly. His
enthusiasm had cooled; he regarded Gray with veiled displeasure.
&ldquo;An&rdquo; besides, she ain't that kind of a girl.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh! Sorry! I thought from what you said&mdash;that
headache&mdash;bottles in your closet, too! My mistake, Buddy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She'll take a drink, with me,&rdquo; the youth confessed.
&ldquo;Anyhow, she's gettin' so she will. I don't see anything wrong in a
woman takin' a drink now an' then with a man she&mdash;with a man that's
honorable.&rdquo; The last words were voiced defiantly.</p>

<p>Hastily Buddy's caller averred: &ldquo;Nor do I. We sha'n't come to
blows over an abstract moral issue like that. This is an age of
tolerance, an age of equality. I flatter myself that I'm quite as lawless
and broad minded as the average bachelor of our very smartest
set.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm&mdash;&rdquo; the speaker gulped. &ldquo;I'm goin' to marry
her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, fine!&rdquo; Gray's enthusiasm was positively electric. He
seized Buddy's hand and crushed it. &ldquo;Education, indeed! No use for
that now, is there?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I mean I'm goin' to, if I can; if she'll let me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Let you? With your money? Why, she'll jump at the chance. No
doubt you have already asked her&mdash;or she suspects&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>The lad shook his head. &ldquo;She don't have to marry nobody. She's
got money&mdash;an <i>es</i>-tate. You think it's all right for me to do
it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Simpler men than you have asked that question, and wiser men
than I have refused to answer. As for me, I've never had the courage to
take the plunge. However, the worst you can get is a heartbreak and a
lifetime of regrets. But, of course, the woman takes some chances, too.
Tell me about her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well&mdash;&rdquo; Buddy beamed fatuously. &ldquo;I dunno
hardly where to begin.&rdquo; Into his voice, as he spoke, there crept a
breathless excitement, into his eyes a dumb adoration.
&ldquo;She's&mdash;wonderful! She's too good for me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Once and a while they are.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She's educated, too&mdash;more in your class, Mr. Gray. I dunno
how she stands for me. She's the smartest, purtiest
girl&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She's young, eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She's&mdash;older 'n I am. I reckon she's mebbe twenty-five. I
never ast her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Naturally. How did you meet her? When? Where? I'm a terribly
romantic old fool.&rdquo; Gray hitched his chair closer and leaned
forward, his face keen with interest.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, sir, it's a regular story, like in a book. I was in a
restaurant with a coupla fellers an' a feller she was with struck
her&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Struck her?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yep. He was her brother, so she told me. Anyhow, I bounced him.
I sure spoiled him up a lot. She was cryin' an' she ast me to take her
home. That's how I got to know her. I s'pose she cottoned to me for
takin' her part that-a-way. She didn't know the sort of place it was her
brother had took her. Pore kid! She's had a hard time, an' every man she
ever knew, but me, done her dirt. Even her husband.&rdquo; Buddy
scowled.</p>

<p>After a moment Gray said, quietly, &ldquo;So, she's
married?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She was. He's dead, or something. I was bashful about callin'
around to see her, not havin' anything to talk about but school an' oil
wells, but she took an interest right away, 'specially in the wells.
You'd ought to hear the story of her life, Mr. Gray. It's as sad as any
novel. You see, her folks had lots of money, but her ma died an' her pa
was too busy to be bothered, so he sent her off to a convent. Them nuns
at the convent was so cruel to her that she run away&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And went on the stage.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How'd you know?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I didn't. But&mdash;the stage is the usual refuge for
convent-bred girls who are abused. I've met several. Did she&mdash;Was
the old home in Virginia?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! Mebbe you know her!&rdquo; Buddy cried.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Perhaps. I seem to remember the story. What is her
name?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Arline Montague.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The elder man shook his head. &ldquo;You said something about a
marriage. I dare say she married some rich John whose family disapproved
of the match&mdash;so many show girls have been deceived like that. You
can't imagine the prejudice of those Fifth Avenue
parents&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's what she done. An' he went off an' joined the French
Legion of Honor an' was killed.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Foreign Legion, no doubt.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Anyhow, he never made no pervision for her. But she wouldn't of
touched a penny of his money if he'd left it to her, she's that
honorable.&rdquo; Now that the lover had fairly launched himself upon the
engrossing life story of his sweetheart he was in deep earnest, and his
listener's quick understanding, his sympathy, his grasp of the situation,
was a spur to further confidences. It was a blessing to have a friend so
old, so wise, and so worldly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What is the estate you mentioned?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, that's her own! It's all she had to fall back on. It's
bein' settled up now an' she'll have her money before long.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The old Virginia homestead and the slaves&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good thing she met me when she did, for them lawyers had it all
tied up in court and wouldn't let go till she paid their fees.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A providential meeting, truly. You fixed that up, of course,
and got rid of the wretched bloodsuckers. I've done much the same thing,
more than once. Now, one other question&mdash;how does she happen to be
in Dallas? I infer from your account that she is a model of virtue, and
that she accepted your aid only upon the condition that your attentions
to her should be characterized by the deepest respect. So? Well then,
'how come'?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That was just a lucky chance. She's got some interests here;
stocks an' things, belongin' to the <i>es</i>-tate. She dunno, herself,
how valuable they are, but me comin' right from Texas an' bein' in oil
an' all, she ast me to he'p her out. So I got her to come. All that had
kep' her back was the expense. Mind you&rdquo;&mdash;Buddy's tone became
one of deeper admiration&mdash;&ldquo;she ain't blue, or anything. No
sir-ee! Her life's been sad, but you'd never know it. She's full of pep;
allus out for fun, an'&mdash;that's what I like about her. Gee! You gotta
meet her, Mr. Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, rather! But meanwhile, we must telegraph your parents not
only that you have been found, but also the further good news.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;We better not say anything about my gettin'
married.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why not? They'd like to know.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd oughta wired 'em long ago, but&mdash;you understand! Miss
Montague ain't exactly Ma an' Allie's kind.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're not ashamed of her?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hunh!&rdquo; The tone of this exclamation was an eloquent
denial.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then let's have them come on and get acquainted. They'll
probably take right to her.&rdquo; But when this suggestion met with
disapproval, Gray inquired: &ldquo;Is it because you are ashamed of
<i>them</i>&mdash;of your mother and sister?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy stirred uneasily. &ldquo;Pshaw, no!&rdquo; A sudden thought came
to him. &ldquo;Why, it's this way: I haven't ast her yet. Mebbe she won't
have me. If she says yes&mdash;I'll let 'em know.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good! We'll make it, for the time being, a mere message of
reassurance. To-night you and Miss Montague shall dine with me and we'll
go to a theater.&rdquo; This arrangement met with young Briskow's
enthusiastic approval, and so it was left.</p>

<p>It was with something more than mere impatience that Calvin Gray
awaited the dinner hour; he was angry, restless; his mind was back in
Wichita Falls, whence the message from his detective had abruptly
summoned him. Matters of moment were at issue there, and with a love
affair of his own upon his mind he could think of no undertaking less to
his taste than this: of saving a young fool from his folly. He could
expect no thanks, if he succeeded, and if he failed he would in all
probability incur Buddy's enmity, if not that of the whole Briskow
family. Families are like that. It would all take time, and meanwhile his
business was bound to suffer. However, he was not one to turn back, and
he remembered with a pang the last look he had seen in Ma Briskow's
eyes.</p>

<p>Gray was prepared to find his young friend's light o' love
superficially attractive, and she was all of that. He was not prepared,
however, to find her quite as good an actress as she appeared to be. In
spite of the fact that she probably took less pleasure in the meeting
than did he, she admirably covered her feelings. She was delighted,
flattered&mdash;Buddy had so often spoken of him that she almost felt
acquainted&mdash;She was quite excited at knowing the famous Colonel
Gray&mdash;She would have recognized him anywhere from Buddy's glowing
description.</p>

<p>Gray's heart sank as he studied Miss Montague. She was blond&mdash;to
his suspicious eye a trifle too blond&mdash;and she wore her hair bobbed.
She was petite and, both in appearance and in mannerism, she was girlish;
nevertheless, she was self-reliant, and there was a certain maturity to
her well-rounded figure, a suggestion of weariness about her eyes, that
told a story.</p>

<p>Following his first critical appraisal, Gray was vaguely conscious of
something familiar about her; somewhere within him the chords of
remembrance were lightly brushed; but try as he would he could not make
himself believe that he had ever seen her. Probably it was the type that
was familiar. He undertook to make sure by talking &ldquo;show business"
at the first opportunity; she responded with enough spontaneity to give
an impression of candor, but her theatrical experience was limited and
that line of exploration led nowhere.</p>

<p>Whatever the pose she had adopted for Buddy's benefit, it was evident
now that she credited his friend with intelligence equal to her own, and
recognized the futility of deceit, therefore she made no attempt to pass
as anything except an experienced young woman of the world, and Gray
admired her for it. She smoked a good many cigarettes; her taste in
amusements was broad; she had sparkle and enthusiasm. She was, in fact, a
vibrant young person, and referred gayly to a road house whither Buddy
had taken her on the night before and where they had danced until all
hours. She loved to dance.</p>

<p>The elder man played host in his best and easiest style, both at
dinner and at the theater; then he passed the burden of entertainment
over to Buddy, first cheerfully declaring that he would not be
sidetracked and that he intended to impose his company upon the young
couple whether they wanted him or not. This was precisely to young
Briskow's liking, and soon they were speeding out to that road house
mentioned earlier in the evening.</p>

<p>Buddy drove, with Miss Montague by his side, the while Gray sat alone
in the back seat of the car quietly objurgating the follies of youth and
mournfully estimating his chances of surviving the night. Frankly, those
chances appeared pretty slim, for Buddy drove with a death-defying
carelessness. By the time they had arrived at their destination, Gray's
respect for the girl had increased; she had nerves of steel.</p>

<p>The resort was run on rather liberal principles; a number of flushed
and noisy couples were dancing to the music of a colored orchestra. It
was a &ldquo;hip-pocket&rdquo; crowd, and while there was no public
drinking, the high-pitched volubility of the merrymakers was plainly of
alcoholic origin. Gray realized that he was in for an ordeal, for he had
become too well known to escape notice. Consternation filled him,
therefore, at thought of the effect his presence here might have. But the
music went straight to Buddy's feet; syncopation intoxicated him much as
the throbbing of midnight drums and the pounding of tom-toms mesmerizes a
voodoo worshiper, and he whirled Miss Montague away in his arms without
so much as an apology to his other guest.</p>

<p>There was nothing conservative about Buddy's dancing. He embellished
his steps with capricious figures, and when he led his partner back to
the table where he had left Gray, like a sailor marooned upon a thirsty
atoll, he was red faced and perspiring; his enthusiasm was boiling over.
&ldquo;Dawg-<i>gone!</i>&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;Now, if we had something
wet, eh? These pants is cut purpose for a brace of form-fittin' flasks,
but I left 'em in the room on account of you not drinkin', Mr.
Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Miss Montague,&rdquo; the elder man exclaimed, &ldquo;I am not
a kill-joy and I hastily resent Buddy's accusation. I have pursued folly
as far as any man of my years.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I bet him that you were a good fellow,&rdquo; the girl said,
with a smile.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Exactly! Abstinence comes as much from old age as from
principle, and I am in my very prime. With all vigor I defend myself
against the odious charge of virtuousness. Dyspepsia alone accounts for
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You don't object to drinking?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A wiser man that I has said, 'There are many things which we
can afford to forget which it is yet well to learn.' I have had my day.
May I claim the next dance?&rdquo;</p>

<p>In spite of the fact that Ozark Briskow was compelled to sit out every
alternate dance in a distressing condition of sobriety, he enjoyed
himself, for he was playing host to the one woman and the one man for
whom he cared most. He had dreaded meeting Gray, fearing the effect of an
open confession, expecting opposition, but Gray was broad minded, he was
a regular guy. In the relief of this hour, Buddy could have worshiped him
except for the fact that he was too darned nice to Arline&mdash;nobody
had the right to show her attentions as marked as his own&mdash;Gray was
a man no woman could help loving&mdash;</p>

<p>Before long Buddy experienced a new sensation&mdash;jealousy. It was
mild, to be sure, but it hurt a little.</p>

<p>Once Miss Montague's suspicions had been allayed, she, too, devoted
herself to having a good time. She rather enjoyed Gray and her sense of
victory over him. She retired to the ladies' room, finally, to powder her
nose, and when she reappeared it was with added animation and with a new
sparkle to her eyes. When next it came the elder man's turn to dance with
her, he caught upon her breath a faint familiar odor, only half disguised
by the peppermint lozenge that was dissolving upon her tongue, and he
smiled. Evidently this charmer maintained herself in a state of constant
preparedness, and her vanity bag hid secrets even from Buddy.</p>

<p>Where had he seen her? For the hundredth time he asked himself that
question, for amid these hectic surroundings that first haunting
suggestion of familiarity had become more pronounced. But patient delving
into the dark corners of his memory was unavailing, and her conversation
afforded him no clue.</p>

<p>As time passed the young woman made other trips to the dressing room,
returning always with an access of brightness and a stronger breath; she
assumed with Gray a coquetry which Buddy did not like. Buddy, indeed,
strongly disapproved of it, but that only drove her to more daring
lengths. She ventured, at last, to discuss the young millionaire with his
friend.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's a dear boy, isn't he? And so innocent.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's learning.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll say he is. He has learned a lot from me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;'Delightful task, to rear the tender thought.' But aren't you
afraid he'll learn, for instance, why you are eating
peppermints?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oho!&rdquo; Gray's petite partner lifted her head and eyed him
curiously. &ldquo;Do you know why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have a suspicion,&rdquo; he said, with a smile, &ldquo;that
when a girl deliberately perfumes her breath it is in preparation for the
struggle in the cab.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Miss Montague laughed unaffectedly. &ldquo;Say! I could like you, Mr.
Wisenblum, in spite of the fact that I ought to hate you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hate me? But why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why shouldn't I?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Because&mdash;I'm rather nice; I dance well.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are, and you do. You'd be a perfect dear if you'd only mind
your own business. Buddy is of age, and you and I will get along like ham
and eggs if you'll remember that.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_22">CHAPTER XXI</a></h3>

<p>&ldquo;Why the SOS?&rdquo; Mallow voiced this question as he entered
Gray's hotel room early the following evening.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm in a predicament and I hope you can help me,&rdquo; the
latter explained. &ldquo;I'm trying to remember something and I can't. I
have a cold spot in my head.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow deposited his bag with a sigh of relief. &ldquo;Glad it's no
worse. Anybody can cure a cold in the head.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sit down and light up while I tell you about it.&rdquo; In a
few sentences Gray made known the story of Ozark Briskow's infatuation,
and the reason for his own interest therein. &ldquo;The woman is of the
common 'get-rich-quick' variety,&rdquo; he concluded, &ldquo;and she
won't do.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She didn't pull the family estate and her father's slaves and
the orange grove on you, did she?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh no. She used that on Buddy and he believes it
implicitly&mdash;so implicitly that she warned me to keep off the track.
She showed her teeth, in a nice way. I've seen her somewhere; in some
place where I should not have been. But where? It must have been in this
country, too&mdash;not abroad&mdash;or I'd remember her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Maybe I haven't been as wild as you, Governor. This is a big
country and I've missed a lot of disreputable joints.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The former speaker smiled. &ldquo;You have trained yourself to
remember faces, Mallow. Your researches&mdash;scientific researches, my
dear Professor&mdash;have led you into quarters which I have never
explored. I must identify this venturesome little gold digger without
delay, for Buddy yearns to make her all his; matrimony is becoming the
one object of his life.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why not let the poor carp have her? It's tough enough for a
dame to get by since prohibition. I don't see how they make it, with
everybody sober. Chances are she'd get the worst of the swap, at
that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not unlikely, but that is neither here nor there. Understand
me, I'm no seraph; I pose as no model of rectitude, and, unfortunately
for my peace of mind, Miss Montague is a really likable young person. But
Buddy has a mother and a sister, and they hold me responsible for him. We
three are dining downstairs in an hour; perhaps you could look in on
us?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure. I'll give her the once over,&rdquo; Mallow agreed.
&ldquo;If she's anybody in our set, I'll know her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The dinner had scarcely started when Gray heard his name paged and
left the table. In the lobby Mallow was waiting with a grin upon his
face.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is that her?&rdquo; he inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;That is the girl.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Girl?</i> 'Arline Montague,' eh? Her name is Margie Fulton
and she had her hair up when they built the Union Pacific.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nonsense! You're mistaken. She can't be more than twenty-five
&mdash;thirty at most.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A woman can be as young as she wants to be if she'll pay the
price. Margie had her face tucked up two years ago. Cost her five
thousand bucks.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;can't believe it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You see it every day. Look at the accordion-pleated beauts in
the movies. Why, some of those dolls nursed in the Civil War! Those face
surgeons have ironed the wrinkles out of many a withered peach, and
you're dining with Margie Fulton, the Suicide Blonde. I know her
kid.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Her <i>what?</i>&rdquo; Mallow's hearer gasped.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure. She was married to Bennie Fulton, the jockey, and they
had a boy. Bennie was ruled off in New Orleans and started a gambling
house.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;New Orleans! Wait&mdash;I'm beginning to remember.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Into Gray's mind came an indistinct memory; the blurred picture of a
race track with its shouting thousands, a crowded betting ring; then,
more clearly, a garish, over-furnished room in a Southern mansion; clouds
of tobacco smoke rising in the cones of bright light above roulette and
poker tables; negro servants in white, with trays; mint juleps in tall,
frosted glasses; a pretty girl with straw-colored
hair&mdash;&ldquo;You're right!&rdquo; he agreed, finally. &ldquo;She was
a 'come-on.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's her. She worked the betting ring daytimes and boosted in
Bennie's place at night. Whenever she was caught she suicided. That's how
she got her name.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Just what do you mean by that?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, the usual stuff. A bottle of water with a poison label. If
a mullet threatened to call the police, she'd cry, 'You have ruined my
life!' Then with shaking hand she'd pull the old skull bottle and drink
herself to death. Of course, the poor leaping tuna usually got the acid
out of her hand in time to save her. She saw to that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray was laughing silently. &ldquo;My dear Professor,&rdquo; he
confessed, &ldquo;wisdom, of a sort, is mine; sometimes I grow weary with
the weight of my experiences and wonder why the world so seldom shows me
something new. But beside you I am as a babe. Tell me, what has become of
the ex-jockey husband?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She divorced him. Mind you, Margie was square, like most of
those 'come-ons.' She'd 'how dare' a guy that so much as looked at her.
You know the kind I mean.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And the child? Where do you suppose she keeps it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow reflected. &ldquo;The last time I saw the little cherub he was
singing bass in a bellboys' quartette at Hot Springs. He hops bells at
the Arlington summers and butchers peanuts at the track during the
season&mdash;you know, hollers 'Here they come!' before they start, then
when the women jump up he pinches the betting tickets out of their laps
and cashes them with the bookies.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Could you get hold of this&mdash;this boy basso and bring him
here without letting him or his mother know?&rdquo; &ldquo;I can if he's
still at Hot Springs, and I saw him there the last time I was up. The
little darling got me into a crap game and ran in some shaped dice. Of
course, it would cost something to get him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How much?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow &ldquo;shot&rdquo; his cuff and upon it gravely figured up the
probable expense. &ldquo;Well, there would be the fares and the eats and
his bit &mdash;he wouldn't come for nothing. He'd gyp me for ten dollars,
but he'd probably come for five. I'd offer him three&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There is a thousand dollars in it if you can produce him within
the next forty-eight hours. I doubt my ability to sit on the safety valve
much longer than that, for Buddy Briskow is rapidly breaking out with
matrimonial measles. If I throw cold water on him it will only aggravate
the disease.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A thousand dollars!&rdquo; Mallow cried. &ldquo;Why, for a
thousand berries I'll bring you his head on a platter. I'll car the
little devil down and lock him in a suitcase.&rdquo; The speaker
hesitated a moment before concluding. &ldquo;It's a dirty trick on
Margie, though.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know. But I'm thinking of Buddy. Now, in Heaven's name,
hurry! My constitution may survive a few more road houses, but my
reputation will not.&rdquo;</p>

<p>That night was a repetition of the one before, but with variations and
with trimmings, for Buddy wore his &ldquo;two-pint trousers&rdquo; again,
and this time they were loaded, hence Gray had a chance to observe him at
his best&mdash;or worst. A little liquor went a long way with the boy; he
derived much effect, many by-products, so to speak, from even a few
drinks, and the elder man was forcibly reminded of Gus Briskow's
statement that his son had a streak of the Old Nick in him. It was true;
Buddy was indeed like a wild horse. Artificially stimulated, he became a
creature of pure impulse, and those impulses ran the entire gamut of
hilarity: he played the drum; he wrestled with a burly doorman; he
yelled, whenever he found what he called a good &ldquo;yelling
place&rdquo;; he demonstrated his ability to sing &ldquo;Silver Threads
Among the Gold&rdquo; to the accompaniment of a four-piece orchestra
energetically engaged in playing something quite modern and altogether
different. These, and many other accomplishments equally unsuspected, he
displayed. On the way from one lively resort to a livelier he conceived
the unique idea that he could &ldquo;swap ends&rdquo; with his touring
car in much the same manner that he could turn a nimble cow pony, and he
tried it. Happily, the asphalt was wet, and in consequence the maneuver
was not a total failure, although it did result in a crumpled mud guard
and a runaway. Milk-wagon horses in Dallas, it appeared, were not
schooled to the sight of spinning motor cars, and the phenomenon filled
at least one with abysmal horror.</p>

<p>Gray felt sure that he had visibly aged as a result of that ride, and
he began to understand why a new crop of wrinkles was appearing about the
corners of Margie Fulton's eyes. No wonder she was beginning to look a
trifle weary.</p>

<p>Fearing that Buddy was likely to turn sentimental without warning, the
elder man monopolized as much of &ldquo;Miss Montague's&rdquo; time and
attention as possible; he danced with her frequently, and he assiduously
devoted himself to winning her favor. The result was a tribute to his
acting and to his magnetism. In a moment of abandon she confided to him
that she wished he had Buddy's money or&mdash;that he was a marrying man.
Both of Buddy's flasks had been emptied by this time, however, so Gray
was not unduly beguiled by this flattery.</p>

<p>On the whole, it was a horrible night.</p>

<p>As Gray languidly crept into bed about daylight he had the
satisfaction of knowing that he had at least excited his young friend's
open jealousy. That might act as a stay. On the other hand, of course, it
might have directly the opposite effect&mdash;one could never
tell&mdash;and it might be the part of wisdom, therefore, to gain
possession of that diamond ring.</p>

<p>Buddy sought him out in the lobby, early the next afternoon, and after
a colorless greeting, said, queerly, &ldquo;Would you mind comin' up to
my room for a minute?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Certainly not. I'd have looked in on you before this if I'd
thought you were up.&rdquo; As the two mounted the wide marble stairs
Gray went on, cheerfully: &ldquo;Not looking your best this morn
&mdash;afternoon, my lad. As for me, I am, in a manner of speaking,
reborn. I have taken a new start. Careful reflection upon the
providential outcome of that amazing skid has convinced me that whatever
joys or sorrows assail me hereafter, however much or little of life is
spared me, it will be all 'velvet.' A touch of mascaro about my temples
and I shall look as young as I did yesterday. What are we going to do
to-night?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dunno.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Once inside his spacious suite, Buddy flung himself into a chair and
with trembling fingers lit a cigarette. It was evident that he had
something to say, but either dreaded saying it or knew not where to
begin. His companion, meanwhile, pretended to look out upon the street
below. In reality, he was observing the young giant. Poor Buddy! He was
suffering.</p>

<p>The latter cleared his throat several times before he managed to say,
&ldquo;You don't want me to marry Arline, do you, Mr. Gray?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Frankly, my boy, I do not.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There are many reasons.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What's one?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't think you love her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Briskow stirred. &ldquo;Is that why you&mdash;went an' got that
di'mon' ring I had made?&rdquo; When this query met with a nod the young
Texan's face flamed and his eyes glowed. &ldquo;What in
hell&mdash;&rdquo; He swallowed his anger, rose to his feet and made a
nervous circuit of the room before coming to a pause at Gray's side. His
lips were working; there was a tragic, a piteous appeal in his eyes; his
voice shook as he stammered: &ldquo;I didn't mean to break out at you,
Mr. Gray. I like you. Gee! I&mdash;You're kinda like God to me. I'd
ruther be like you than&mdash;well, there ain't nobody I like like I like
you&mdash;You could get her away from me if you wanted to, but&mdash;you
wouldn't do a trick like that, would you? I was mighty happy till you
came &mdash;You&mdash;got that ring with you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have it in my pocket.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I want it.&rdquo; Buddy extended a quivering hand.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm goin' to ask her to marry me, to-day. If she won't I'm
goin' to&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She will.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy gasped. &ldquo;You <i>sure?</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm quite sure she would if you asked her. But I don't want you
to ask her.&rdquo; When an expression of pained reproach leaped into the
lad's face, the speaker explained, quickly: &ldquo;Don't think for a
moment that I care for her, nor that she has the slightest interest in
me. It is you that I care for. What you just said pleased me, touched me.
I wish you could understand how much I really do care for you, Buddy.
Won't you wait&mdash;a few days, before you&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I <i>can't</i> wait.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You must.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The men eyed each other steadily for a moment, then Buddy demanded,
querulously, &ldquo;What have you got against her, anyhow?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You wouldn't believe me if I told you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She told me everything there is to tell an' I told you. I don't
care what she's done&mdash;if she ever done anything. She's had a hard
time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Will you wait forty-eight hours?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Twenty-four?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Gimme that ring!&rdquo; When Gray made no move the speaker ran
on, excitedly: &ldquo;I'm a man. I'm of age. It's none of your business
what I do&mdash;nor Pa's or Ma's, either. It won't do no good for them to
come.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray went to the door, locked it and pocketed the key.
&ldquo;Buddy&rdquo; &mdash;his voice was firm, his face was
set&mdash;&ldquo;you are a man, yes, although you were only a boy a few
weeks ago. You are going to act like a man, now.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You goin' to try an' <i>hold</i> me here?&rdquo; The inquiry
was one of mingled astonishment and anger, for young Briskow could
scarcely believe his eyes. &ldquo;Don't do that, Mr. Gray. I&mdash;Nobody
can't <i>make</i> me do anything. Please don't! That's plumb
foolish.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What if I told you that Miss Montague is&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy interrupted with a harsh cry. &ldquo;Damn it! I said I wouldn't
listen to anything against her. I'm tellin' you, again, keep your mouth
shut about her.&rdquo; The youth's face was purple; he was trembling; his
fists were clenched, and with difficulty he restrained even a wilder
outburst. &ldquo;You can have the ring, but &mdash;you lemme out of here,
quick.&rdquo; When this command went unheeded he strode toward the
bedroom, intending to use the other exit, but his caller intercepted him.
&ldquo;Lemme out!&rdquo; the young man shouted.</p>

<p>&ldquo;One of us is going to remain in this room, and I think it will
be you.&rdquo; As Gray spoke he jerked off his coat and flung it aside.
&ldquo;Better strip, Buddy, if you mean to try it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy recoiled a step. Incredulously he exclaimed:
&ldquo;You&mdash;you wouldn't try <i>that</i>! This is my room. You must
be crazy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I think I am, indeed, to endure what I have endured these last
two days; to make myself ridiculous; to be humiliated; to risk my
business ruin just to save a young fool from his folly.&rdquo;
Impatience, resentment, anger were in the speaker's tone.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I never ast you. You butted in&mdash;tried to cut me out.
That's dirty. You was lyin' when you said&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Have it that way. I've run out of patience.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ozark Briskow, too, had reached the limit of his endurance; he
exploded. Momentarily he lost his head and cursed Gray vilely. For answer
the latter moved close and slapped him across the mouth, saying:
&ldquo;Fight, you idiot!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy's low, gasping cry had the effect of a roar; it left the room
echoing, then savagely he lunged at his assailant. He was blind, in him
was a sudden maniacal impulse to destroy; he had no thought of
consequences. Gray knocked him down.</p>

<p>It was a blow that would have felled an ox. As the youth lay half
dazed, he heard the other taunting him, mocking him. &ldquo;Get up, you
lummox, and defend yourself. You'll be a man when I get through with
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Codes of combat are peculiar to localities. In the north woods, for
instance, lumberjacks fight with fist and heel; in the Southwest, when a
man is mad enough to fight at all, he is usually mad enough to kill. As
Buddy Briskow rose to his knees he groped for the nearest weapon, the
nearest missile, something&mdash;anything with which to slay. His hand
fell upon a heavy metal vase, and with this he struck wickedly as Gray
closed with him. This time they went down together and rolled across the
floor. The legs of a desk crashed and a litter of writing materials was
spilled over them.</p>

<p>Gray was the first to regain his feet, but his shirt had been torn
half off and he tasted blood upon his lips. He had met strong men in his
time, but never had he felt such a rocklike mass of bone and muscle as
now. Buddy was like a kicking horse; his fists were as hard as hoofs, and
that which they smote they crushed or bruised or lacerated. He possessed
now the supreme strength of a madman, and he was quite insensible to
pain. He was uttering strange animal sounds.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Shut up!&rdquo; Gray panted. &ldquo;Have the guts to&mdash;keep
still. You'll &mdash;rouse the&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>He dodged an awkward swinging blow from the giant and sent him
reeling. Buddy fetched up against the solid wall with a crash, for Gray
had centered every pound of his weight behind his punch, but the
countryman rebounded like a thing of rubber and again they clinched.</p>

<p>A room cluttered with heavy furniture is not like a boxing ring. In
spite of Gray's skill and an agility uncommon in a man of his size, it
was impossible to stop the other's rushes or to avoid them. Straining
with each other they ricocheted against tables and chairs, and only the
fact that much of the furniture was padded, and the floor thickly
carpeted, prevented the sound of their struggle from alarming the
occupants of the halls and the lobby. They fought furiously, moving the
while like two wrestlers trying for flying holds; time and again they
fell with first one on top and then the other; their flesh suffered and
they grew bloody. The room soon became a litter, for its fittings were
upset, flung about, splintered, as if the room itself had been picked up
and shaken like a doll's house.</p>

<p>Gray managed to floor his antagonist whenever he had time and space in
which to set himself, but this was not often, for Buddy closed with him
at every opportunity. At such times it was the elder man who suffered
most.</p>

<p>In a way it was an unequal struggle, for youth, ablaze with a holy
fire, was matched against age, stiffened only by stubborn determination.
Neither man longer had any compunctions; each fought with a ferocious
singleness of purpose.</p>

<p>Buddy's face had been hammered to a pulp, but Gray was groaning; he
could breathe only from the top of his lungs, and the bones of his left
hand had been telescoped. Agonizing pains ran clear to his shoulder, and
the hand itself was well-nigh useless.</p>

<p>It was an extraordinary combat; certainly the walls of this luxurious
suite had never looked down upon a scene so strange as this fight between
friends. How long it continued, neither man knew&mdash;not a great while,
surely, measured by the clock; but an interminable time as they gauged
it. Nor could Calvin Gray afterward recall just how it came to an end. He
vaguely remembered Buddy Briskow weaving loosely, rocking forward upon
uncertain legs, blindly groping for him&mdash;the memory was like that of
a figure seen dimly through a mist of dreams&mdash;then he remembered
calling up his last reserve of failing vigor. Even as he launched the
blow he knew it was a knockout. The colossus fell, lay motionless.</p>

<p>It was a moment or two before Gray could summon strength to lend
succor, then he righted an armchair and dragged Buddy into it. He reeled
as he made for the bathroom, for he was desperately sick; as he wet a
towel, meanwhile clinging dizzily to the faucet, his reflection leered
forth from the mirror&mdash;a battered, repulsive countenance, shockingly
unlike his own.</p>

<p>He was gently mopping young Briskow's face when the latter revived.
Buddy's eyes were wild, he did not recognize this unpleasant stranger
until a familiar voice issued from the shapeless lips.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'll be all right in a few minutes, my lad.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Briskow lifted his head; he tried to rise, but fell back limply, for
as yet his body refused to obey his will.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You&mdash;licked me,&rdquo; he declared, faintly. &ldquo;Licked
me good, didn't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Buddy!</i> Oh, Buddy&mdash;&rdquo; It was a yearning cry;
Gray's streaked, swollen features were grotesquely contorted. &ldquo;You
won't be mad with me, will you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Want to fight any more?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The victor groaned. &ldquo;My God, <i>no!</i> You nearly killed
me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>This time Buddy managed to gain his feet. &ldquo;Then I reckon
I'll&mdash;go to bed. I feel purty rotten.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray laughed aloud, in his deep relief. &ldquo;Righto! And after I've
phoned for a doctor, if you don't mind, I'll crawl in with
you.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_23">CHAPTER XXII</a></h3>

<p>On the morning after the fight Mallow knocked at Gray's door, then in
answer to an indistinct and irritable command to be gone, he made himself
known.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's me, Governor. And I've got Exhibit A.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Really?&rdquo; came the startled query. There was a stir from
within, the lock snapped and the door opened.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've got a little friend here that I want you to&mdash;&rdquo;
Mallow paused inside the threshold, his mouth fell open, he stared in
frank amazement. &ldquo;Sweet spirits of niter!&rdquo; he gasped.
&ldquo;What happened to<i>you?</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I was playing tag in the hall with some other old men, and one
of them struck me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My God, you're a sight!&rdquo; Mallow remained petrified.
&ldquo;I never saw a worse mess.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Come in and close the door. I am vain, therefore I have a
certain shyness about exposing my beauty to the curious gaze. Pardon me
if I seat myself first; I find it more comfortable to sit than to stand,
to recline than to sit.&rdquo; Stiffly the speaker let himself into an
upholstered divan and fitted the cushions to his aches and his pains, his
bruises and his abrasions. He sighed miserably. His features were
discolored, shapeless; his lips were cut; strips of adhesive tape held
the edges of a wound together; his left hand was tightly bandaged and the
room reeked with the odor of liniment.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You've been hit with a safe, or something,&rdquo; Mallow
declared. &ldquo;Evidences of some blunt instrument, as the newspapers
say; maybe a pair of chain tongs.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Blunt and heavy, yes. Buddy Briskow and I had an
argument&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That big bum? Did he lay it on you like that? Say, he's got the
makings of a champ!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pride impels me to state that he got the worst of it. He is
scarcely presentable, while I&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Your side won?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It did. Now, where is the boy?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He's outside.&rdquo; Without shifting his astonished gaze,
Mallow raised his voice and cried, &ldquo;Hey, Bennie!&rdquo; The door
opened, a trim, diminutive figure entered. &ldquo;Bennie, mit my friend
Colonel Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The youngster, a boy of indeterminate age, advanced and shook hands.
There was no mistaking him; he was Margie Fulton's son in size, in
coloring, in features. &ldquo;I told Bennie you could use a bright kid
about his age. And he's bright.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It required no clever analysis of the lad to convince Gray that he was
indeed bright, as bright&mdash;and as hard&mdash;as a silver dollar. He
had a likable face, or it would have been likable had it been in repose.
It was twitching now, and Gray said, with a smile, &ldquo;Go ahead and
laugh, son.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The urchin's lips parted in a wide grin, and he spoke for the first
time. &ldquo;Did the Germans do that?&rdquo; The effect of his voice was
startling, for it was deep and husky; it was the older man's turn to be
astonished.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He could pass for fifteen on the street,&rdquo; Mallow said;
&ldquo;but when he talks I chalk him down for thirty-five. How old are
you, Ben?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Seventeen. What's the big idea, anyhow?&rdquo; The question was
directed impudently at the occupant of the divan. &ldquo;Did you send all
the way to Hot Springs to get a guy you can lick?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Your mother is here in Dallas, my boy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yeah?&rdquo; There was a pause. &ldquo;How's it breaking for
her?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m, very well. I thought she'd like to see you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bennie cocked his head, he eyed the speaker curiously, suspiciously.
&ldquo;Come clean,&rdquo; he rumbled. &ldquo;Mallow said you could use
me.&rdquo; &ldquo;I can. I will.&rdquo; The boy shrugged. &ldquo;All
right, Sharkey. I s'pose it'll come out, in time. Only remember, I've got
twenty coming, win or lose.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course&rdquo; Gray waved toward the dresser, upon which was
a handful of bills. &ldquo;Help yourself. Better make it twenty-five.
Then wait outside, please. We will join you in a few minutes.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And don't make it thirty,&rdquo; Bennie's traveling companion
sharply cautioned.</p>

<p>When the door had closed, Gray gave his friend certain instructions,
after which he limped to the telephone and called Arline Montague.
&ldquo;May I ask you to step down to Buddy's room?&rdquo; he inquired,
after making himself known. &ldquo;Oh, it will be quite all
right&mdash;We three must have a little talk&mdash;But he <i>couldn't</i>
see you last night. He was quite ill, really; I sat up with him most
of&mdash;&rdquo; There was a longer hiatus then. &ldquo;Hadn't we better
argue that in Buddy's presence? Thank you. In five minutes,
then.&rdquo;</p>

<p>As he and Gray prepared to leave, Mallow said, sourly: &ldquo;Margie
is a good little dame, in her way, and I feel like a&mdash;like a
damned'stool.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My dear fellow,&rdquo; the other told him, &ldquo;I understand,
and I'd gladly take another beating like this one to escape this wretched
denouement.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When Ozark Briskow answered Gray's request for admittance, he was
deeply embarrassed to find Miss Montague also waiting; his stammered
protest was interrupted by her sharp inquiry:</p>

<p>&ldquo;What is the meaning of all this mystery? He said you were too
sick to see me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Permit me to explain,&rdquo; Gray began, as he closed the door
behind them. &ldquo;Buddy and I came to blows over you; you were, in a
manner of speaking, an apple of discord between us, and the melancholy
results you behold. Jealousy of your charms was not my motive; I merely
asked Buddy to defer a contemplated action. He refused; I insisted.
Argument failed to budge either of us and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>The young woman's sympathetic regard of Gray's victim changed to a
glare of hostility as she turned upon the speaker, crying:
&ldquo;You<i>brute!</i> You ought to be arrested!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He ast me to wait, Arline&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;To delay asking you a question which I felt should be more
seriously considered. In the absence of his family I took it upon myself
to&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;To butt in!&rdquo; Miss Montague exclaimed, with curling
lip.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quite so. I merit your disapproval, but not your
disdain.&rdquo;</p>

<p>With some heat Buddy declared: &ldquo;Pa an' Ma know that I got a mind
of my own. It won't do 'em any good to come.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; the woman demanded. &ldquo;What have you been
telling Buddy about me? I told him all there was to tell.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quite all? I fear you have not been as frank as you would have
me believe. That, in fact, explains my connection with the affair.
Believe me when I say that I am interested only in seeing justice done to
both of you young people, and in making sure that you do not deceive each
other. It is an impulse of artless youth to trick itself in glowing
colors, but you should know the whole truth about Buddy and he about you.
If, after you are thoroughly acquainted with each other, you still
maintain a mutual regard I shall have nothing further to say&mdash;except
to beg that I be allowed to show my true friendship for both of
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, spring the bad news,&rdquo; said Miss Montague. Briskow
now displayed the first open resentment he had shown since his defeat of
the day before. &ldquo;You licked me, Mr. Gray, an' I took my
medicine,&rdquo; he growled. &ldquo;You changed my looks, but you didn't
change my mind. I'm waitin' for the folks to come, but I ain't goin' to
listen to 'em.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Let him get this off his chest, Buddy. Go ahead with the
scandal, Saint Anthony.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray bowed. &ldquo;Suppose we ignore the early convent training and
the Old Kentucky Home and agree that they are pleasant fictions, like the
estate which you are in such imminent danger of inheriting. Those, I'm
sure you will admit, are entirely imaginary.&rdquo; Buddy Briskow's
swollen eyelids opened wider, his tumid lips parted, and an expression of
surprise spread over his dropsical countenance.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Step on it,&rdquo; sneered Miss Montague. &ldquo;Dish the
dirt!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buddy's belief, however, that your stage career was blasted and
your young life laid waste by the scion of a rich New York house should,
in the interests of truth, be corrected.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He knows I was married.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;True. But not to Bennie Fulton, the jockey.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That is a&mdash;lie!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nor that the estimable Mr. Fulton, instead of perishing upon
the field of glory, dodged the draft and is doing as well as could be
expected of a jockey who has been ruled off every track in the country,
and is now a common gambler against whom the finger of suspicion is
leveled&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's a lie!&rdquo; the woman stormed. Of Buddy she inquired:
&ldquo;You don't believe that, do you? You don't intend to listen to that
sort of stuff?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The object of this appeal was torn by conflicting emotions. Doubt is a
weed that sprouts fastest in dull minds; suspicion is the ready armor of
ignorance; to young Briskow came the unwelcome vision of those oil wells.
Was Gray telling the truth? Could it be that Arline had made a fool of
him? But no, she was smaller, prettier, more adorable than ever, now that
she was whipped by this gale of anger, and a girl like that could not be
a deceiver. Buddy longed desperately to believe her refutation of the
charge. He closed his eyes and made himself believe.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Even now,&rdquo; Gray was saying, &ldquo;if you would tell the
boy all he ought to know, I would take myself off and have nothing more
to say.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You-you make me <i>sick!</i>&rdquo; Miss Montague cried,
vibrantly. &ldquo;What right have <i>you</i> to preach? What kind of a
man are you? If he believed your lies for a minute I'd never want to see
him again. He has been a true friend to me&rdquo;&mdash;her voice
quavered, caught in her throat&mdash;&ldquo;the only true friend I ever
had. <i>I</i> don't care whether he's rich or poor, but men like you are
all alike. What chance has a girl got against you? You want to use his
money, so you p-poison his mind&mdash;break a woman's heart&mdash;just
b-because you&mdash;hate me.&rdquo; The last words were sobbed forth.
Miss Montague broke down.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hell!&rdquo; hoarsely exclaimed young Briskow. &ldquo;You're
makin' her cry!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray sighed; he stepped to the door, opened it and called, &ldquo;Come
in, both of you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Arline Montague's shoulders ceased to shake, she lifted her blond head
alertly. Then she uttered a breathless exclamation.</p>

<p>Buddy, meanwhile, had been staring at the door, and he was surprised
when, instead of his family, he saw entering a strange man and a boy
small of stature but old of face, a boy insouciant, impudent, swaggering.
It was this boy who spoke first.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hello, momma!&rdquo; he cried.</p>

<p>At sound of that voice Buddy recoiled, for it was deeper than his own.
His expression of dismay was no doubt ludicrous, at any rate the urchin's
lively eyes leaped to his face and remained there, while a grin spread
over his features.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hully Gee!&rdquo; rumbled the lad. &ldquo;Here's <i>another</i>
one that ought to be buried!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mrs. Fulton&rdquo;&mdash;it was Gray speaking&mdash;&ldquo;I
took the liberty of asking your son&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy Briskow heard no more, for his ears were roaring. Her son! That
voice! Being little more than a boy himself, nothing could have hurt him
more cruelly than this; his impulse was to flee the room, for his world
had come down in crashing ruin. She <i>had</i> lied! She<i>had</i> made a
fool of him. Gray had been right.</p>

<p>The others were still talking when Buddy broke in faintly. His
battered visage was white, his lips were colorless. &ldquo;I reckon
this&mdash;ends my part of the entertainment,&rdquo; said he. Slowly he
seated himself and bowed his head in his hands, for he had become quite
ill.</p>

<p>Arline Montague&mdash;Margie Fulton&mdash;once the blow had fallen,
behaved rather well; she took Bennie in her arms and kissed him, then in
answer to his quick look of dismay at her agitation, she patted him on
the shoulder and said: &ldquo;It's all right, son. You didn't
know.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Didn't know what?&rdquo; demanded the lad.
&ldquo;Say&mdash;&rdquo; He stared angrily from one face to another.
&ldquo;Is it a plant?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hush! You wouldn't understand.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bennie's suspicions now were in full play, and his gaze came to rest
upon Calvin Gray; his eyes began to blaze. &ldquo;You&mdash;you big
bum!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;I might have known you were a
double-crosser.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hush, Bennie, please!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll get you for this.&rdquo; The midget was quivering with
rage. &ldquo;You'll look worse 'n that, you&mdash;you big bum!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Take my key. Here!&rdquo; The mother thrust her room key into
the boy's hand. &ldquo;Run along. I&mdash;I'll see you in a few
minutes.&rdquo; To Mallow she said: &ldquo;Take him out, please. You
brought him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Mallow, flushing uncomfortably, took Bennie by the wrist and dragged
him to the door.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Dirty work!&rdquo; said the woman, when the two had gone. Her
eyes were dark with anger as she stared at Gray.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It must look so to you,&rdquo; he agreed. &ldquo;Frankly, I
didn't enjoy it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; Margie turned to Briskow, but in his attitude, his
averted gaze, she read the doom of her hopes. One final chance remained,
however, and desperately she snatched at it. &ldquo;Buddy!&rdquo; she
cried. &ldquo;<i>Buddy!</i>&rdquo; Her voice was poignant as she pleaded.
&ldquo;I couldn't tell you the truth. I wanted to&mdash;I laid awake
nights trying to get the courage, but I was afraid you wouldn't
understand. I'd have told you the whole thing, if you'd ever given me the
chance. You know I've been married; does it make so much difference that
I have a son?&rdquo; When the object of her appeal only stirred, she went
on, reproachfully: &ldquo;Are you going to allow this&mdash;this man
to&mdash;come between us?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wouldn't believe you now, if&mdash;&rdquo; Buddy choked.
&ldquo;I'm through!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You mean that?&rdquo; The young fellow nodded. &ldquo;Very
well!&rdquo; Something in the tone of the last words, some accent of
desperation, caused Buddy to raise his head. He was in time to see Margie
fumble with her purse and extract something therefrom; to Buddy's eyes it
resembled a bottle. &ldquo;There is no use fighting any more. You have
ruined my life.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My God!&rdquo; young Briskow yelled, in dismay. &ldquo;Don't do
that! Stop her!&rdquo; He leaped to his feet and lunged for the poison
vial which was trembling upon Arline's lips. Gray, too, had been
galvanized into action, but of an unexpected nature; he grappled with
Buddy and held him. &ldquo;Look out!&rdquo; the latter gasped.
&ldquo;She's killin' herself.&rdquo; The Texan was weak with horror; he
could only paw impotently at his captor and cry: &ldquo;Arline! You
wouldn't do <i>that?</i> For <i>me?</i> Lemme go.
Arline&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;This is the end,&rdquo; moaned the woman, still holding the
bottle to her lips. Her despair was tragic; nevertheless, she did not
instantly hurl herself into the hereafter. This hesitation at meeting
death was only natural, perhaps, for none but the bravest can leap into
the unknown without a moment of farewell.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Drink hearty!&rdquo; Gray exclaimed, over his shoulder,
meanwhile closing tighter his embrace of the terrified youth.</p>

<p>Buddy's struggles suddenly ceased, for at last the bottle had been
drained; the girl was groping blindly toward the nearest chair.</p>

<p>&ldquo;God'lmighty! You let her do it!&rdquo; he cried, hoarsely.
&ldquo;You&mdash;you<i>murderer</i>! We&mdash;we gotta get a doctor,
quick.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nonsense! Water won't hurt her; and that's all it is. She's
known as 'the Suicide Blonde.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Say! You're bursting with information, aren't you?&rdquo; It
was Miss Montague, tottering upon the brink of the grave, who voiced this
explosive inquiry. Her drooping shoulders straightened, she raised her
head and flung the empty bottle violently from her. Her face was deathly
white, to be sure, but not with darting agonies. &ldquo;You
know<i>everything</i>, don't you? You make plain the past, the present,
and the future. Well, Madame Thebes, you're under the wire with the
horseshoe on your neck.&rdquo; With head erect and with firm tread she
moved to the door; she turned there and blazed forth in bitter scorn, her
bobbed curls shaking as she spoke: &ldquo;Take that selling plater back
to the car barn, where he belongs. I'm off boobs for life. I knew you had
a jinx on me the minute I saw you, for I broke my mirror the day you
breezed in. Seven years bad luck? My God, you're all of that and more!
Why, you'd bring bad luck to a church! I'll beat it now while you give
little Rollo his bottle and rock him to sleep. If he cries, tell me
and&mdash;and I'll furnish the rock.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The door slammed to behind the diminutive fury, and Gray sank feebly
into a chair. He was laughing silently.</p>

<p>&ldquo;By Jove! She's splendid!&rdquo; he chuckled. &ldquo;Buddy,
I&mdash;I like that woman.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was midforenoon of the next day. Mrs. Fulton, after a restless
night, was packing her trunks; her room was in disarray, what with open
suitcases and piles of dresses, lingerie, shoes and the like strewn
carelessly about. She had halted her labors for a second time to scan a
brief note that had arrived a few moments before and ran as follows:</p>

<p>DEAR MRS. FULTON,&mdash;I am not really such a bad sort as you
consider me, and I'm genuinely interested in that boy of yours. Let's cry
quits and have a serious talk about him and&mdash;perhaps other
things.</p>

<p>Sincerely yours,</p>

<p>CALVIN GRAY. She was thus engaged when there came a knock, and in
answer to her voice the writer entered.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Thank you for letting me come up,&rdquo; he began. &ldquo;I'm
becoming accustomed to dodging chambermaids and scurrying up back stairs.
But I'm looking better, don't you think?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There's only one way you'd look better to me,&rdquo; the woman
said, unsmilingly, &ldquo;and that is laid out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Please put me at my ease. I am physically sore and mentally
distressed.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>You</i> sore, distressed! Humph! I wouldn't have consented
to see you except for what Mallow told me. After what he said I'd like to
give you a piece of my mind. What right have <i>you</i> doing a thing
like this? Do you know what I think of you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I do. Also what Mallow thinks of me, for he told me. You see,
he believes firmly that I am a&mdash;well, a person of much looser
principles than I really am, and my protestations of honesty only excite
his veiled derision.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He says he's sorry. Sorry! After spilling the beans.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mrs. Fulton, I have learned that life is a mixed affair, and
that most of our actions are the results of conflicting motives. Yes, and
that we ourselves are products of conflicting forces, good and evil. Few
of us are as good as we would like to have people believe nor as bad as
we appear. I wonder if you will believe me when I say that I&mdash;like
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Certainly not.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nevertheless, I do. For one thing, you are a good fighter and a
good loser. I try to be, but I fear I lack your spirit. I would not have
hurt you willingly.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The woman tossed her head and turned away; when she spoke, it was
wearily: &ldquo;I might have known I couldn't make the jump. I never did
win a big race. A good loser, eh? Well, I've had enough practice at it.
How is Buddy? Hurt, I suppose. His young life is blasted; he'll never
trust another woman.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He is standing it pretty well, and is greatly cheered by the
fact that he can see out of his left eye practically as well as ever. He
is going back to the oil fields and learn the business. I am going to put
him to work. What are you going to do with Bennie?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do with him? What can I do with him?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He is a bright boy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm bright, too, but I have all I can do to get by.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is a shame to think he will grow up into what his father
was.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Margie Fulton wheeled and her blue eyes were dark. &ldquo;I suppose
you think I'm a bad mother. But what do you know about it? How do you
know what I've gone through for him; the sacrifices I've made? I've made
plenty and they came hard.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd like to help you make a man of him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What? <i>You</i>? How?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd like to put him in business and teach him that there is no
profit in short-changing customers; that the real wise guy isn't the
fellow who gets the best of every bag of peanuts, but the one who can go
back to the same customer and sell him another bag. The abstract
principle has been put much more succinctly, but I doubt if it would
carry the same weight with him. I'd enjoy giving the boy a hand up,
but&mdash;he is more than I'd care to tackle alone.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There's Mallow to help you. He'd be a refining
influence.&rdquo; The mother's lip curled.</p>

<p>&ldquo;How about you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Me?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Isn't the&mdash;sort of life you are living becoming a bit
tiresome? Aren't you about fed up on uncertainties?&rdquo; The object of
these queries drew a deep breath; her eyelids flickered, but she
continued to stare at the speaker. &ldquo;Worry brings deeper wrinkles
than old age. Wouldn't you like to tie to something solid and be able to
show Bennie that you are, at heart, the sort of woman I consider you?
He'll soon be getting old enough to wonder if you are what he thinks you
are or if&mdash;&rdquo; &ldquo;I suppose you learned this &mdash;bayonet
practice in the army,&rdquo; Mrs. Fulton said, hoarsely.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Anybody can make a good living in a country like this if he
cares enough to try. I'll back you if you need money.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And&mdash;what's the price?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My price? Oh, I'd feel well repaid if some day Bennie
acknowledged that I was a 'regular guy,' and if you agreed.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is that all?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quite all. Is there something you do&mdash;well?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I can cook. I'm a good cook. Women like me usually have hobbies
they never can follow&mdash;and I have two. I can make a fool of a stove,
and I&mdash;I can design children's clothes, wonderful things, new
things&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Will you come to Wichita Falls and start a restaurant and make
good things to eat, if I supply the money and the customers?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Will</i> I?&rdquo; The speaker's face had flushed, her eyes
had begun to sparkle. &ldquo;Then it's a bargain,&rdquo; Gray declared,
gayly. &ldquo;Why, you'll get rich, for it is the chance of a lifetime.
I'll guarantee patronage; I'll drum up trade if I have to turn sandwich
man and ring a bell. Leave the details to me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Margie Fulton sank slowly into the nearest chair, regardless of the
fact that it was piled full of lacy, white, expensive things; her voice
quavered, broke, as she said: &ldquo;Gee, Mr. Gray! I figured there must
be some decent men in the world, but&mdash;I never thought I'd meet
one.&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_24">CHAPTER XXIII</a></h3>

<p>In a long, relentless struggle between two men psychology may play a
part as important as in a campaign between two opposing armies, or so at
least Calvin Gray believed. That, in fact, was one of his pet theories
and from the first he had planned to test it. It was characteristic of
Henry Nelson, on the other hand, that he put no faith whatever in
&ldquo;imponderables,&rdquo; hence Gray's reference to morale, on that
day of their first meeting, had amused him. Morale, indeed! As if a man
of his tough fiber could be affected by the mere chanting of a Hymn of
Hate! He considered himself the captain of his soul, and the antics of a
malicious enemy, the wild waving of false danger signals, instead of
distracting a resolute mariner, would merely cause him to steer a truer
course.</p>

<p>But Nelson was a brooder. Time came when doubts distressed him, when
he began to put faith in &ldquo;malicious animal magnetism&rdquo; and,
despite his better sense, to wonder if some evil spell really had not
been put upon him.</p>

<p>In his arrogance it had seemed at first a simple matter to do away
with Gray. That had been mistake number one. The miserable breakdown of
that plan, the refusal of his hireling to go forward, and the
impossibility of securing a trustworthy substitute convinced him finally
that he had erred grievously in his method. Some men are invulnerable to
open attack, and Gray, it seemed, had been wet in the waters of the Styx.
No, that had been a bad beginning and Nelson regretted it, for he feared
it had served as a warning.</p>

<p>So, indeed, it appeared, for not long thereafter he actually felt, or
thought he felt, the vengeful claws of his enemy. A new strike in one of
the western counties had become public, and a brand-new oil excitement
was born overnight. Trains were crowded, roads were jammed with racing
automobiles; in the neighborhood of the new well ensued scenes to
duplicate those of other pools. For the first week or two there was a
frenzy of buying and selling, a speculation in oil acreage and town
lots.</p>

<p>The Nelsons, of course, were early on the ground, for in spite of the
father's contention that they could ill afford, at the moment, to tie up
more money in unproductive properties, the son had argued that they must
have &ldquo;protection,&rdquo; and his arguments had prevailed.</p>

<p>Henry went in person, and he was disagreeably surprised to discover
Gray on the ground ahead of him. The latter bore evidences of hard usage
in the shape of a black eye and numerous bandages, reputed to be the
result of an automobile collision. Henry regretted that his enemy's
injuries were so trivial. It was indeed a pity that so few accidents are
fatal.</p>

<p>He bought rapidly, right and left, as much to forestall Gray as
anything else, and he was back at the bank shortly with a number of
leases. Not until some time later did he learn that he had paid a price
for them twice as high as that charged for properties closer in.</p>

<p>It was Bell who brought this unwelcome information home to him
&mdash;brought it home in his characteristic manner.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What the hell ails you, anyhow?&rdquo; the father inquired, in
apoplectic wrath. &ldquo;Have you gone clean crazy?&rdquo;</p>

<p>After some inquiry Henry realized what ailed him and who had caused
him to throw away his money, but he did not apprise Bell. More than once
they had been parties to &ldquo;wash sales,&rdquo; and had helped to
establish artificial values, but to be victimized in the same manner was
like the taste of poison.</p>

<p>Of course, it meant little in the big game. At most, the firm had been
&ldquo;gypped&rdquo; only a comparatively few thousand dollars, and the
loss could probably be recouped by a resale; nevertheless, the incident
was significant, and, upon second thought, it appeared to shed light upon
certain other expensive transactions in other fields.</p>

<p>Now, oddly enough, this new oil discovery did not develop as had been
expected&mdash;in fact, the excitement died out quickly&mdash;and when
Henry Nelson undertook to dispose of his holdings he was faced by a heavy
loss, for Gray was offering adjoining acreage at low prices.</p>

<p>Following this unhappy experience, the scandal about the Jackson well
became public&mdash;the Atlantic Company having at last located the leak
in its pipe line&mdash;and the whole Red River district enjoyed a great
laugh. Henry Nelson did not laugh. He turned green when he realized how
close he had come to buying that lease. Of course, here was a swindle
that Gray could have had nothing to do with, and yet&mdash;Nelson
wondered why &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; Parker had failed to sell it to him.
&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; had tied it upon an option, awaiting his return, and he
had hurried back on purpose to examine it. Why hadn't he bought it? Henry
asked that question of the girl, and, when she told him as much as she
knew, he began to believe that the whole thing was, indeed, an incredibly
bold attempt to swindle him, and him alone.</p>

<p>Miss Parker, of course, was deeply chagrined at her connection with
the fraud; nevertheless, the banker felt his flesh turn cold at the
narrowness of his escape. He assured himself, upon calmer thought, that
his imagination was running away with him; this was too devilishly
ingenious, too crooked! And besides, Gray had promised to fight fair. All
the same, the thing had a suspicious odor, and Nelson slept badly for a
few nights. He decided to use extra caution thereafter and see that he
neither paid more for leases than they were worth nor permitted anybody
to &ldquo;salt&rdquo; him. Salting, after all, was rare; one read about
it in books, but no experienced operator had ever been fooled in that
way.</p>

<p>About this time a big gasser blew in north of the Louisiana fields,
and wise oil men began to talk about Arkansas and quietly to gather in
acreage. Less than a week later one of Nelson's field men brought into
the bank a youth who owned some property in the latter state. This yokel
was a sick man; he was thin and white; he had a racking cough, and he
knew nothing about oil except from hearsay. All he knew was that he would
die if he didn't get to a warmer, drier climate; but the story he told
caused Henry Nelson to stare queerly at his field man. That very night
the latter left town.</p>

<p>On the third night thereafter, in answer to a telegram, Nelson and the
Arkansas farmer slipped unobtrusively out of Wichita Falls. It so
happened that Brick Stoner, en route to Hot Springs for a little rest,
was a passenger on the same train.</p>

<p>Stoner returned in due time, much rested, and he brought with him a
large check to the firm's account.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We timed it to the minute,&rdquo; he told McWade and Mallow.
&ldquo;That gasser couldn't have come in better if we'd ordered it.
Nelson's dickering under cover for more acreage near what he's got, but I
tipped off who he was.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He fell easy, eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Stoner grinned. &ldquo;He was so pleased with himself at swindling an
invalid, and so scared somebody would discover those seepages that he
couldn't hardly wait to sign up. If it hadn't of been for the general
excitement, he might of insisted on time to do some exploring, but he's
pulled a rig off another job and he's sending it right up.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We've got some good news, too,&rdquo; McWade asserted.
&ldquo;Avenger Number One is trying hard to come in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I tell you Gray's got a rabbit foot. If we continue to trail
along with him, I'll be losing you as a partner, Brick.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How so?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, I'll be turning honest. It seems to pay.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m. Probably I'd better keep all this Nelson money and leave
you&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, not at all,&rdquo; the junior partner said, quickly.
&ldquo;That isn't an oil deal, strictly speaking, for you say there ain't
oil enough on the land to grease a jackknife. I look on it as a
real-estate speculation.&rdquo;</p>

<p>With a laugh Stoner accepted this explanation, and then announced that
he was hungry for his breakfast.</p>

<p>This time Mallow spoke up. &ldquo;I'm bally-hooing for a new joint;
Fulton's Fancy Waffle Foundry. Follow me and I'll try to wedge you in.
But you'll have to eat fast and pick your teeth on the sidewalk, for we
need the room.&rdquo; In answer to Stoner's stare, the speaker explained
his interest in the welfare of Wichita Falls's newest eating place, and
en route thereto he told how Margie Fulton came to be running it.
&ldquo;Gray did it. He got the Parker girl to help us, and we had the
place all fixed up by the time Margie got here. She's tickled pink, and
it'll coin money&mdash;if it isn't pinched.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pinched?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sure! Bennie's the cashier, and he palms everything from dimes
to dishtowels. Force of habit! Better count your change till I break him
of short-changing the customers.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>You</i>&mdash;&rdquo; Stoner stopped in his tracks.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I'm giving him lessons in elemental honesty.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My God! Are you turning honest, too?&rdquo; the other man
exclaimed. &ldquo;Seems like that's all I hear lately.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was a blue day for Henry Nelson when Avenger Number One came in,
for it made necessary immediate drilling operations on his part. And the
worst of it was the well was not big enough to establish a high value for
his holdings. It was just enough of a producer to force him to begin
three offsets and that, for the moment, was an undertaking decidedly
inconvenient.</p>

<p>Bell Nelson was even more dismayed at the prospect than was his son,
for upon him fell the necessity of raising the money. &ldquo;Hell of a
note,&rdquo; the old fellow grumbled, &ldquo;when a wet well puts a crimp
in us! A little more good luck like this and we'll go broke.&rdquo;
&ldquo;We can't afford to let go, or to sub-lease&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course not, after the stand we've taken. There's talk on the
street about the bank, now, and&mdash;I'd give a good deal to know where
it comes from.&rdquo; The junior Nelson had heard similar echoes, but he
held his tongue. &ldquo;I never did like your way of doing
business,&rdquo; the speaker resumed, fretfully. &ldquo;We've
overreached. You wanted it all and&mdash;this is the result.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Now Henry Nelson was warranted in resenting this accusation, for it
had ever been Bell's way to pursue a grasping policy, therefore he cried,
angrily:</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's right; pass the buck. You know you wouldn't listen to
anything else. If we're in deep, you're more to blame than I.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing of the sort.&rdquo; Old Bell began a profane denial,
but the younger man broke in, irritably:</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've never won an argument with you, so have it your own way.
But while you're raising money for the Avenger offsets, you'd better
raise plenty, for Gray is going to punch holes down as fast as ever he
can.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Who is this Gray? What's he got against you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Henry's eyes shifted. &ldquo;Has he got anything against me? He bought
a good lease and was wise enough to get somebody to make a well for
him&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Those crooks! Those wildcatters!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Now, he proposes to develop his acreage as rapidly as possible.
Nothing strange about that, is there?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is he sore at you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We didn't get along very well in France.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Humph! I suppose that means you fought like hell. And now he's
getting even. By the way, where am I going to get this money?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That is up to you,&rdquo; said Henry, with a disagreeable grin,
whereupon his father stamped into his own office in a fine fury.</p>

<p>Not long after this father and son quarreled again, for of a sudden a
perfect avalanche of lawsuits was released, the mysterious origin and
purpose of which completely mystified Old Bell. The Nelsons, like
everybody else, had unsuccessfully dabbled in oil stocks and drilling
companies for some time before the boom started, also during its early
stages, and most of those failures had been forgotten. They were
painfully brought to mind, however, when Henry was served with a dozen or
more citations, and when inquiry elicited the reluctant admission from
the bank's attorney that a genuine liability existed&mdash;a liability
which included the entire debts of those defunct joint-stock associations
in which he and his father had invested. This was enough to enrage a
saint.</p>

<p>Henry argued that he had invariably signed those articles of
association with the words, in parentheses, &ldquo;No personal
liability,&rdquo; and he was genuinely amazed to learn that this
precaution had been useless. He protested that scores&mdash;nay,
hundreds&mdash;of other people were in the same fix as he, and that if
this outrageous provision of the law were strictly enforced and judgments
rendered widespread ruin would result. His lawyer agreed to this in all
sympathy, but read aloud the provisions of the statute, and Nelson
derived no comfort from the reading. The lawyer was curious to know, by
the way, who had taken the trouble to acquire all of these claims&mdash;a
task of heroic size&mdash;but about all the encouragement he could offer
was the probability of a long and expensive series of legal battles, the
outcome of which was problematical. That meant annoyance, at best, and a
possible impairment of credit, and the Nelson credit right now was a
precious thing, as Henry well knew. Eloquently he cursed the day he had
met Calvin Gray. What next, he wondered.</p>

<p>He discovered what next when the driller he had sent up to Arkansas in
charge of his rig one day came into the office in great agitation. The
man's story caused his employer's face to whiten.</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Salted!</i> I&mdash;don't believe it.&rdquo; Nelson seized
his head in his hands. &ldquo;Oh, my God!&rdquo; he gasped. Misfortunes
were coming with a swiftness incredible. Salted! Victimized, like the
greenest tenderfoot! A small fortune sunk while the whole country was
still chuckling over the Jackson scandal! This <i>was</i> a
nightmare.</p>

<p>Henry was glad that his father was in Tulsa in conference with some
other bankers over that Avenger offset money, otherwise there was no
telling to what extreme the old man's rage would have carried him at this
final calamity. And that whining, coughing crook, that bogus farmer, was
in Arizona&mdash;or elsewhere&mdash;out of reach of the law! The younger
Nelson turned desperately sick. If this was not more of Gray's work, it
was the direct result of the curse he had called down.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Does anybody know?&rdquo; Henry inquired, after he had somewhat
recovered his equilibrium.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nobody but us fellows.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You&mdash;you mustn't shut down. You've got to keep up the
bluff until&mdash;until I get time to turn.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You going to bump off that land to somebody else?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you think I'm going to do?&rdquo; Nelson was on his
feet now and pacing his office with jerky strides. &ldquo;Take a loss
like that?&rdquo; He paused and glared at the bearer of bad tidings, then
growled: &ldquo;What are you grinning about? Oh, you needn't say it. You
want yours, eh? Is that it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well&mdash;it's worth something to turn a trick like
this.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How much?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's a big deal. It'll take something
substantial&mdash;something substantial and paid in advance&mdash;to make
our boys forget all the interesting sights they've seen. But I'd rather
leave the amount to you, Henry. You know me; I wouldn't be a party to a
crooked deal, not for anything, except to help you out&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How much?&rdquo; the banker repeated, hoarsely.</p>

<p>But the field man merely smiled and shrugged, so, with a grunt of
understanding, Henry seated himself and wrote out a check to bearer, the
amount of which caused him to grind his teeth.</p>

<p>Now it was impossible to dispose of a large holding like that Arkansas
tract at a moment's notice. In order to evade suspicion, it was necessary
to go about it slowly, tactfully, hence the financier moved with as much
circumspection as possible. His careful plans exploded, however, when he
met Calvin Gray a day or so later.</p>

<p>Gray had made it an invariable practice to speak affably to his enemy
in passing, mainly because it so angered the latter; this time he
insisted upon stopping. He was debonair and smiling, as always, but there
was more than a trace of mockery in his tone as he said:</p>

<p>&ldquo;So your luck has changed, hasn't it? That Avenger well of mine
has put a good value on your property. I congratulate you,
Colonel.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Humph! I don't believe in luck,&rdquo; Nelson mumbled.
&ldquo;And the Avenger isn't enough of a well to brag about.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;So? You don't believe in luck? It seems to be our lot
invariably to differ, doesn't it? Now, my dear Colonel, I'm not ashamed
to confess that I am deeply superstitious, and that I believe implicitly
in signs and prodigies. You see, I was born under a happy star; 'at my
nativity the front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,' as it were.
Comfortable feeling, I assure you. Take that incident at New-town, not
long ago; doesn't that prove my contention?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What incident?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray's brows lifted whimsically. &ldquo;Of course. How should you
know? There was a clumsy attempt to do me bodily harm,
to&mdash;assassinate me. Funny, isn't it? So ill considered and so
impracticable.&mdash;But about this Avenger matter, if you find it
inconvenient to offset my wells as fast as I put them down, perhaps you'd
consider selling&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Inconvenient?</i>&rdquo; Nelson felt the blood rush to his
face at this insufferable insult, but he calmed himself with the thought
that his opponent was deliberately goading him. After all, it served him
right for permitting the fellow to stop him. &ldquo;Inconvenient!
Ha!&rdquo; He turned away carelessly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;No offense, my dear Colonel. I thought, after your Arkansas
fiasco, you might wish&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What Arkansas fiasco?&rdquo; Nelson wheeled, and in spite of
himself his voice cracked.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ah! Another secret, eh?&rdquo; Gray winked
elaborately&mdash;nothing could have been more deliberately offensive
than that counterfeit of a friendly understanding. &ldquo;Very well, I
sha'n't say a word.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You&mdash;&rdquo; The banker was gasping. &ldquo;You're doing
your damnedest to &mdash;to start something, aren't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Every day. Every hour. Every minute.&rdquo; The speaker bowed.
&ldquo;In defense of my promise to fight fair, let me assure you,
however, that I did not start this. As a matter of fact, I knew nothing
about it until you had been hooked. Apropos of that quixotic promise,
please remember that your own actions have absolved me from
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The men stared at each other for a moment that seemed interminable.
Gray was watchful, expectant; Nelson was plainly shaken by a desire so
desperate that resistance left him weak. He was like an animal frozen in
the very attitude of springing.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Foxy, aren't you?&rdquo; he managed to say, at last.
&ldquo;Tempting me to &mdash;make the first move.&rdquo; With a mighty
effort of will he forced his tense body to relax. &ldquo;The act of a
bully! Bah! Wouldn't I be a fool&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A bully is usually a coward,&rdquo; Gray said, slowly.
&ldquo;Neither of us is a coward. I'm not ready to&mdash;join the issue
that way, especially in a place like this. The game is too exciting
to&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'll get all the excitement you're looking for,&rdquo; Nelson
cried, wrathfully. &ldquo;You've cost me a lot of money, but you could
have cost me a lot more if you hadn't been fool enough to brag about it
and give me warning. Now&mdash;I'll send you out of Texas
afoot.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;On my back, perhaps, but never on my feet.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Without another word the banker passed on, but he went blindly, for
his mind was in black chaos. No chance now for secrecy; he was in for a
bit of hell. He managed to kill the story in the local papers, but it
appeared in the Dallas journals, which was even worse, and for the first
time in his life he found himself an object of ridicule. The Arkansas
transaction was made to appear the most outrageous swindle of recent oil
history, and, coming so quickly after the Jackson exposure, it excited
double interest and amusement.</p>

<p>In truth, the facts about the salting of that Arkansas tract did make
a story, for the methods employed had been both new and ingenious. Nelson
had been fooled by a showing of oil in an ordinary farm well, and by a
generous seepage into a running stream some distance away. Not until a
considerable sum had been spent in actual drilling operations, however,
did those seepages diminish sufficiently to excite suspicion
sufficiently, in fact, to induce the crew to pump the water well dry.
This done, an amazing fraud had been discovered. It had been found that
the vendor of the land had removed the rock curbing and behind it had
packed a liberal quantity of petroleum-soaked cotton waste. Naturally,
when the well had been walled up again and permitted to resume its
natural level, the result was all that the unscrupulous owner could have
expected.</p>

<p>The creek seepage had turned out to be equally counterfeit, but even
more ingeniously contrived. It had manifested itself where a stratum of
clean white sand, underlaid with clay, outcropped at the foot of a high
bank. In the undergrowth, quite a way back from the stream, tardy
investigation disclosed that a hole had been dug down to that layer of
sand and into the hole had been poured several barrels of
&ldquo;crude.&rdquo; The earth from the digging had been removed and the
hole had been cunningly covered up. Naturally, the oil from this
reservoir had followed the sand stratum and&mdash;the resultant
phenomenon at the water's edge had been well calculated to excite even
the coldest-blooded observer. It had excited Henry Nelson to such an
extent that he had bought not only this farm, but a lot of other farms.
And Nelson was shrewd. Oh, it was a great joke! The whole mid-continent
field rocked with laughter at it.</p>

<p>Nelson, senior, returned from Tulsa bull-mad, and he came without the
money he had expected to get. What went on in his office that morning
after he sent for his son none of the bank's employees ever knew, but
they could guess, for the rumblings of the old man's rage penetrated even
the mahogany-paneled walls.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_25">CHAPTER XXIV</a></h3>

<p>Gray had once told Barbara Parker that there was no one quite like
him&mdash;a remark more egotistical in the sound than in the meaning.
Unusual in many ways he probably was, but, like most men, the discovery
that his proudest virtues were linked with vices of which he was ashamed
struck him as extraordinary. As if nature were not forever aiming at a
balance.</p>

<p>In spite of the fact that he was impulsive, headstrong, swift in most
things, this girl possessed the unique faculty of rendering him acutely
self-conscious, and it annoyed him the more, therefore, to find how
timorous he could be in putting her feelings to the test. That was the
one thing he could never quite summon courage to do. She was so young, so
cool, so disconcertingly straightforward that, in contrast, his own age
appeared the greater, and his many counterfeit qualities were thrown into
uglier relief.</p>

<p>Then, too, her answer meant so much that fear of refusal became an
actual torture, and the mere thought of it left his arrogant spirit
strangely humble. To a man in his vengeful mood, to a men whipped by one
savage purpose, love had come as a blessed relief; and, in consequence,
anger at his indecision was the greater. Sometimes he told himself that
he deserved to lose her.</p>

<p>One such occasion was after he had taken her out to the Avenger
lease.</p>

<p>There was more than one well by this time; Avenger Number Two and
Three and Four were going down, and offsetting the first Avenger were
three of Nelson's rigs. &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; studied the situation briefly,
then, with a dubious shake of her head, she announced: &ldquo;You are
taking a big risk, Mr. Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You mean these new holes may come dry? Of course, but I believe
in crowding my luck. I don't know any other way to work.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You <i>have</i> been lucky, haven't you?&rdquo; She stared at
him with a detached, impersonal interest. &ldquo;Everything is coming
your way, even down in the Ranger district.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I have my share of troubles. I lost a crooked hole,
recently &mdash;had to skid the derrick and start over. Then a pair of
chaintongs was dropped into another hole&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That makes an expensive fishing job.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The worst ever.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Somebody must have it in for you.&rdquo; When Gray nodded,
&ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; face lit up with surprise. &ldquo;Really. Do you
suspect someone in particular?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How interesting.&rdquo; After a moment had passed and he had
explained no further, the girl went on: &ldquo;Everybody is talking about
you and your success. They say you have the golden touch.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That is a good reputation to enjoy; but this country is full of
fellows who came here knowing as little about oil as I knew and who have
accomplished more sensational results. I've come up like a rocket, to be
sure; it remains to be seen whether I shall fall like a stick.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You won't fall.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do you really believe that?&rdquo; The inquiry was eagerly put.
&ldquo;I'd trust your intuition, Miss&mdash;&ldquo;Bob.&rdquo; Sometimes
I have moments of uneasiness, for, you see, I'm drilling more wells than
I should. It is double or quits, you understand? If my luck breaks, so do
I.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You have always impressed me as a&mdash;a man of destiny. I
think fate has selected you as an instrument with which to do big things.
That's why I'm always a bit overawed by you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Overawed?&rdquo; Gray laughed. &ldquo;Why, I feel the same with
you. If you knew how little I am, how little it all signifies, except as
a means to an end. If you only knew what it is that I want so much more
than oil, or money, or&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I thought you were like all the others here&mdash;absorbed only
in the game.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I was, at first. I had reason to be; a very great reason, I
assure you. Then I saw something far more desirable than fortune, far
more absorbing than&mdash;than the motive that brought me here. Some
days, like today, I think I'm going to win it, then again I grow
faint-hearted.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Faint-hearted? <i>You?</i>&rdquo; There was an elaborate
skepticism in &ldquo;Bob's&rdquo; tone, but as the meaning of Gray's
ardent gaze struck home to her, she turned her head with a lightly
affected laugh. She was coloring, but she knew that her companion's
agitation was so much greater than hers that he did not notice it.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Fair lady,&rdquo; he said, a bit uncertainly, &ldquo;you
multiply my courage tenfold, and I shall retain the guerdon of your
faith. But we swashbuckling fellows are proud; we must come as victors or
not at all, and I am anything but victorious, yet. I've had many a fall,
and my armor is dented in a dozen places. I have a record of failures
that only a lasting success can wipe out. When, if ever, that record is
wiped out, why&mdash;my tongue shall be my heart's ambassador.&rdquo;
This was the boldest speech that Gray had ever permitted himself.</p>

<p>Never had he felt &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; to be so close to him as on this
day, and in consequence he made of it a festival. He played the lover
with a respectful ardor, doubly thrilling by reason of its restraint, and
that night it was not Henry Nelson's face that lingered last in his
memory. He wondered, before he fell asleep, if he had acted wisely in
letting slip his hour. Opportunity has a fickle way of jilting those who
ignore her, and yet&mdash;how could he speak with honor to himself?</p>

<p>It must not be inferred that Henry Nelson endured with patience the
blows that were rained upon him. On the contrary, he fought back with
every weapon he could lay hands upon, and there were many. In this he was
aided by Old Bell, for father and son were much alike and their friction
had been only such as results from the rubbing of two hard bodies of
identical composition; now that they were put under heavy pressure, they
adhered and functioned without heat.</p>

<p>They were handicapped, however, in that they had the bank to think
about, and, in times of frenzied finance such as this, a banking business
is more of a liability than an asset. Under normal conditions no single
individual of Gray's limited resources could have caused them more than
temporary annoyance; but in the midst of a speculative frenzy, in a time
of vast &ldquo;paper profits&rdquo; and overnight losses, at an hour when
they themselves were overextended and the financial fabric of the whole
oil industry was stretched to a point of inflation where a pin prick was
apt to cause complete collapse, the feat of warding off a lance in the
hands of a destructive enemy was one that kept them in a constant state
of nervous panic.</p>

<p>To make matters worse, the crest of the wave had passed, the boom was
nearly over, and money was no longer easy. Outside investors were
cooling; mysterious and powerful influences were at work, and there were
rumors of a break in the price of crude. Meanwhile, so far as the Nelsons
were concerned, it was necessary to pour a steady stream of dollars into
the earth in order to save that which had been accomplished at immense
cost, and such oil as their producing wells gave forth was swallowed up
in other holes. It became, with them, a problem of how to hold on, how to
finance from day to day until production returns overtook exploitation
expense&mdash;a problem that put gray hairs in their heads and lines
about their eyes. They were forced to many expedients.</p>

<p>How they managed it at all baffled Gray, and worried him, too, for he
knew that if ever they turned the corner they would be safe from him, and
his vengeance would fall [Illustration: NEVER HAD HE FELT
&ldquo;BOB&rdquo; TO BE SO CLOSE TO HIM AS ON THIS DAY] to the ground.
One big well would set them up, and there was always that danger, for
scarcely a week went by without news of some gigantic gusher. Knowing all
there was to know about their field activities, he set himself to the
task of learning more about the bank itself and about their method of
operating it. This was a task, indeed, and he spent much time at
it&mdash;time he could ill afford, by the way, for he, too, had about
exhausted his last resource.</p>

<p>He was surprised one day to receive from Roswell, the banker who had
first backed him, an almost peremptory summons to Dallas. Gray had made
much money for Roswell and his crowd; they were still heavily interested
with him, and he was counting upon their further support. The tone of
this letter, therefore, gave him a disagreeable shock. On the whole,
however, he was glad of an excuse to go, for the Briskows had returned
and had bought a home in Dallas, and he was eager for a sight of
them.</p>

<p>Mr. Roswell's greeting was quite as cool as his letter; but he
betrayed a keen interest in the progress of their joint affairs and asked
a good many searching questions. Gray answered frankly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You surprise me,&rdquo; the banker announced, finally,
&ldquo;for you confirm something I did not wish to believe. I have just
learned that you are using us to further a private grudge and to ruin a
reputable man. I couldn't credit such a statement
without&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is quite true, except that I haven't 'used' you. Not, at
least, in the sense you imply.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You have used our money. It is the same thing.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, not at all I have handled a number of speculations
&mdash;investments is a better word&mdash;for you and your group and I've
made a lot of money for you. That's the most you expected; that's all I
promised. So long as I continue to do that, my motives, my personal likes
and dislikes, concern you in no wise. Neither are you concerned in the
use I make of my winnings.&rdquo; &ldquo;Legitimate competition is one
thing; malice, double-dealing, dishonesty is&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Dishonesty?&rdquo; Gray interrupted, sharply. &ldquo;I am a
quick-tempered man, Mr. Roswell. I'll ask you to choose your words more
carefully.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't you call salting a well dishonest?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I do. I didn't salt that Arkansas property&mdash;and I assume
you refer to that. In fact, I knew nothing about it, and I so informed
Nelson. Evidently he didn't believe me, and I don't expect you to do so.
Nevertheless, it is true. I have never lied to you, and I never shall.
Now, malice&mdash;Yes, I bear malice toward Henry Nelson and I shall
continue to bear him malice long after I have put him in his
grave.&rdquo; Roswell's startled eyes leaped to the speaker's face.
&ldquo;Exactly! I propose to put him in his grave, and he knows
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nonsense! That's wild talk and you'll regret it. What has he
done to you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The object of this inquiry shrugged. &ldquo;A private matter, purely.
As to double-dealing&mdash;is it double-dealing to go to an enemy and
tell him frankly that you intend to down him and how you propose to do
it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did you do that?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I did. What is more, I offered to fight fair and he agreed.
But, of course, he broke that, as he feels free to break any agreement
when it becomes onerous or unprofitable. He began by trying to
assassinate me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What are you saying?&rdquo; Roswell cried. &ldquo;This is
incredible.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray's cigar had gone out; he lighted it with steady and deliberate
fingers before he said: &ldquo;I am giving you facts. The fighting has
not been all on my side. For instance, I haven't hired men to drop tools
in his wells or run crooked holes, and that sort of thing, as he has. Not
that I wouldn't follow his lead if he forced me to, but I haven't had to
resort to petty annoyances. I haven't had to make any 'small change,' for
I have originality, imagination&mdash;even a small amount of daring,
while he&mdash;Well, he is obvious. He has nothing except physical
courage. Thank God, he's not a coward! He'll die hard.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Amazing!&rdquo; The banker was at a loss for words. After a
moment, he inquired: &ldquo;What about Bell Nelson?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A harsh, headstrong, ruthless old man whose history will not
bear careful reading. His sins shall be visited upon him through his
offspring. He will have to go, too.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Roswell stirred as if to shake off the effect of some oppressive,
mesmeric influence; reluctantly he admitted, &ldquo;All I can say is you
have a colossal nerve&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Precisely. And that is all I had when I came to
Texas.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I was coming to that. You deceived me, Gray. You said you
represented big capital; had friends and connections&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;A pardonable deceit, under the circumstances, was it not? As a
matter of fact, I said nothing of the sort; I merely allowed you to
infer&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're splitting hairs.&rdquo; The banker was impatient.
&ldquo;The fact remains that you led me to make a fool of myself. Why,
man alive, I have your whole history here, and it's a record of one
sensational failure after another. You had no backing whatever,
no&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is that the result of your own investigation?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Partly.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;For the rest, you took Nelson's word, eh? Very well, I've
beaten him out from cover sooner than I expected. Now as to my failures.
Failure proves only this: that one's determination to succeed is not
strong enough. Who fail, except those who try? You have not always
succeeded; neither have I invariably failed. Your report is a bit
unfair.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You will fail now. And you deserve to fail.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed? Why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Because you're doing an outrageous thing; because&mdash;See
here, Gray, I know why you hate Nelson.&rdquo; There ensued a moment of
silence.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He told you that?&rdquo; The younger man's face had slowly
whitened; he spoke with difficulty.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He told me everything. He told me that you were dishonorably
discharged from the army&mdash;cashiered, we used to call it&mdash;and
that you blame him. I don't mind saying it was a shock&mdash;worst I've
had in years. In time of war, too! The army doesn't do that unless
&mdash;without ample&mdash;Well, Gray, it's damned nasty!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quite the nastiest thing that can happen to a man,&rdquo; the
other agreed in a thin, flat voice.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I couldn't, wouldn't believe it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why not? You believed everything else he told you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wouldn't accept his word on a thing like <i>that</i> without
asking you.&rdquo; Another pause followed. &ldquo;There's probably some
explanation. I told him so&mdash;&rdquo; Mr. Roswell showed his genuine
distress by the frown upon his brow and by his averted eyes. He stirred
uncomfortably, then he broke out, irritably: &ldquo;Well, well? Why in
hell don't you say something?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There is nothing to say.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What? My God, man! You don't mean&mdash;See here, you're not a
coward, or a thief, or an incompetent. What's your side of the story?
What's the explanation?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Explanations are hateful. The man who makes them deceives
either himself or the other fellow&mdash;usually both. It is easy to be
plausible. Would a mere statement from me, unsupported by proof, convince
you where it failed to convince a court martial? Of course not. Then why
make you uncomfortable by doubting my word?&rdquo; Gray's smile was like
the mirthless grin of a mummy. &ldquo;I was found guilty, all in due
military order, and&mdash;disgraced, branded! My uniform was taken from
me, and I can't wear it again. I can never again serve my country. It was
handled quietly, with admirable discretion, for those things are bad for
the morale, you understand? Very few know about it. I'm a proud man, a
vain man; I assure you the death penalty would have been much easier to
bear.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What did Henry Nelson have to do with it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He alone can answer that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;An extraordinary situation! This is your revenge,
eh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;As a man of spirit, I had a choice of but two things, revenge
or &mdash;suicide.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hm-m! It is an embarrassing situation for me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nelson has sold a large block of his bank stock to one of our
directors.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Tell him to get out from under, quick,&rdquo; Gray said,
sharply, &ldquo;for I'll break Henry Nelson or&mdash;I'll kill
him!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Tut, tut! You're excited. You mustn't talk like that. I give
you credit for an honest hatred, but&mdash;I can't sympathize with it.
Neither can I believe so ill of Henry Nelson. Remember, I've known him
and Bell for years.&rdquo; With a complete finality the banker concluded,
&ldquo;You'll have to give it up, Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I beg pardon?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I say we sha'n't permit you to go on with this murderous feud.
We can't be parties to it. What you've told me warrants us in withdrawing
our support instantly, but I&mdash;I&mdash;Damn it all, I can't help
liking you and believing in you! Frankly, there's something sublime about
a grudge like yours. However, we can't go on like this. We can't put up
more money now that we know what you have in mind. Call this thing off
and perhaps I can induce our crowd to leave their money in until it can
be worked out. That's the most I can undertake.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I need your money and your support now more than ever,&rdquo;
the other man gravely confessed. &ldquo;I need it at once; to-day.
Nevertheless, I sha'n't quit.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You <i>must!</i>&rdquo; Roswell cried, impatiently. &ldquo;You
can't defy us.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The devil I can't!&rdquo; It was Gray's turn to blaze.
&ldquo;That's exactly what I'm doing. I defy you to get your money out. I
defy you to interfere with me in the slightest or to wring a particle of
mercy out of me. I knew this would come, sooner or later, and I planned
accordingly. What d'you think I am, eh? I tell you I've got him!
Otherwise he'd never squeal about this&mdash;army matter. Now then, tell
your crowd to try and pull out! That's not a threat, sir, for they have
played fair with me, and I sha'n't sacrifice a penny of their
money&mdash;unless they force me to do so. But&mdash;I'm in control. I'm
sitting pretty. They can't unseat me, and I warn them not to
try.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are making a great mistake. We will find a way to&mdash;to
<i>pull</i> you off.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ever try to pull a bulldog out of a fight when he had the other
dog down and his teeth in its throat? I have. There's something rather
horrible about it&mdash;rather beastly and shocking. And there's always
the danger of losing a hand.&rdquo; The speaker rose. He hesitated,
before leaving, to say: &ldquo;Your son served with honor, Mr. Roswell. I
know how you must feel about this&mdash;other matter, therefore I shall
spare you the embarrassment of declining my hand.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The financier's face reddened; rather stiffly he said, &ldquo;You know
whether you have a right to offer it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Instantly the departing visitor extended his palm, and Roswell
realized that he had seldom seen a man more deeply moved. &ldquo;Thanks!
I&mdash;It is a blow to lose your support, but&mdash;nothing can swerve
me. Meanwhile, I'm glad that we do not part as enemies.&rdquo;</p>

<p>When he had gone, when he had passed out with head up and shoulders
square, the banker shivered slightly. Audibly he murmured: &ldquo;God,
what a man! What a hatred!&rdquo;</p>

<p>The Briskows had just moved into their new home, and the place was
still in some confusion when Gray mounted the steps. Pa answered the bell
in his shirt sleeves and with a claw hammer in his hand, for he had been
hanging pictures. He favored his visitor with a wide smile of welcome and
a hearty greeting-quite a feat, inasmuch as his mouth was full of
nails&mdash;then, having rid it of its contents, he explained:</p>

<p>&ldquo;We got a slave that tends the door, but I 'ain't got gentled up
to bells an' things yet. Allie's away an' Ma's layin' down,
so&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ma isn't ill, I hope?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;N&mdash;no. Just ailin'. I thought mebbe one of the neighbors
had run in to see her, but&mdash;I guess they're busy. We got lots of
neighbors here, rich ones, an' we made up our minds to like 'em, if
they'll give us a chance.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You were in luck to find a house in such a smart neighborhood,
Gus. Now show me around, quickly, for I'm dying to see it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lord, I'm dyin' to show it to <i>somebody!</i> You're the first
one that's dropped in an' we been here 'most two weeks. Say, you'll stay
an' eat supper, won't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course I will, and breakfast, too, if you can take care of
me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! Didn't we take keer of you when you come to the ranch?
We got three niggers now, just doin' the housework.&rdquo; As if in
justification of this riotous mode of life, the oil man explained:
&ldquo;Ma wanted to do it herself, but she's porely, an' Allie vetoed it
complete. She says we'll be stylish an' enjoy life if it kills all three
of us. I'd of bought a bigger house if they'd of let me,
but&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is large enough. Anything more would merely add to your
cares.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Her and Ma picked out the furniture. Swell, ain't
it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Beautiful!&rdquo; Gray exclaimed. Inwardly he groaned, for,
although the contents of the home appeared to be expensive, almost
ostentatious, they nevertheless betrayed a conspicuous lack of taste both
in character and in arrangement. Here and there were color combinations
so atrocious that they positively hurt the caller. On the whole, however,
the place looked better than he had expected, and such indications of
harmony and restraint as he detected he attributed to Allie. It was a
nice enough home, and with a little change, a little rearrangement, it
could be made attractive even to one of elegant tastes. Those changes, of
course, Gray determined to make.</p>

<p>Gus, plainly, was not yet accustomed to the sense of ownership, and he
hung with eagerness upon his guest's expressions of approval. After a
tour of inspection the men wound up in the library&mdash;an absurd
misnomer under the circumstances, inasmuch as the shelves were entirely
bare except for Allie's dog-eared school books&mdash;and there, before a
blazing gas log, they discussed the miracle.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Allie's gone out to the old farm to get some stuff for
Ma,&rdquo; the father explained in due time. &ldquo;Some pitchers of her
an' Buddy when they was little, an' a rockin'-chair, an' Ma's favorite
bedspread, an' some other things she likes.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray remembered the portraits, executed by a St. Louis
&ldquo;enlargement" concern. They had wide gilt frames, and were
protected from ravaging flies by mosquito netting. He hoped that Ma would
not hang them in the hall or the living-room. And that rocker, for which
she yearned, was probably the one with the creaking coiled
springs&mdash;the one that had leaped after him and clashed its jaws like
an alligator.</p>

<p>&ldquo;By the way, how does Buddy like the new home?&rdquo; the latter
inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;He 'ain't seen it yet. Says he's too busy to leave the job.
What you done to that boy, anyhow?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm making a real man out of him&mdash;and an oil man, too. He
knew how to dress tools when I got him, but he's a pretty good driller
now. Before long he'll be able to take charge of your property and run it
on practical lines. I told you he had it in him, and that he'd make a
'hand.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You never wrote us nothin' about his&mdash;his
trouble.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I left the explaining for him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gus smiled meditatively. &ldquo;First we knew that you an' him had
been fightin' was when he wrote us a letter sayin' he was doin' great an'
could see out of one eye.&rdquo; Then, more gravely: &ldquo;It was
worryin' over Buddy's affair that got Ma to ailin'. She 'ain't been right
well since. Say, wha'd you do with that&mdash;woman?&rdquo; Briskow
pronounced the last word with an accent of scorn and hatred.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I gave her a chance to make an honest, decent living. I set her
up in business.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>What?</i>&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And she is making good.&rdquo; When the elder man shook his
head impatiently Gray went on, &ldquo;I'm pretty worldly and calloused,
but if one virtue has been spared me, it is charity.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For a moment the father studied his caller. &ldquo;Tell me,&rdquo; he
began, &ldquo;was it altogether on Buddy's account that you an' him tied
into one another?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray threw back his head and laughed frankly. &ldquo;Altogether, I
assure you. That's why I found it so hard.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He <i>oughta</i> been licked! Takin' up with a&mdash;a thing
like her.&rdquo; Gus was groping for words more eloquent of his
displeasure at his son and his hatred for the object of Buddy's misplaced
affections, when Gray forestalled him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Just a minute. You are a rich man and you are growing richer.
Careful, frugal, prosperous people like you are apt to become unduly hard
and oversuspicious; but you mustn't permit it. Think, for instance, what
environment did to your children, then remember that under slightly
different circumstances it might have made evildoers even of them. Most
people would like to run straight, and would do so if they had a chance.
Anyhow, it is an interesting experiment to put the chance in their way.
Tell me, Gus, how much money have you got?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dunno. Figgers over a thousand dollars don't mean much to
me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray searched the speaker's face with a speculative gaze. &ldquo;It's
mostly liquid, I presume.&rdquo; There was a pause. &ldquo;I mean it's in
cash or the equivalent?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, sure! These bonds an' stocks an' things&mdash;&rdquo;
Briskow shook his head disapprovingly. &ldquo;Land ain't any too safe,
either. It's rainin' now, an' it 'll keep on rainin' till the farmers is
all drowned out. Next year it'll be droughty an' fry 'em to a crisp. No,
I'm skeered of land. I'm skeered of everything!&rdquo; This last was said
plaintively. &ldquo;Why, lookit these Liberty bonds! Goin' down steady. I
wouldn't put no money into the gov'ment unless I had something to say
about runnin' it. An' s'pose I did? I wouldn't know how it oughta be
run.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How about oil properties? Wouldn't you like to invest in a
good, safe proposition, with the prospect of big&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Gosh, <i>no!</i> I'm skeerder of oil than anything, 'cause I
know somethin' about it. Feller been tryin' to sell me life insurance,
lately, but you gotta die to get your money back. No; there's a catch in
all them propositions. Sometimes I wake up nights dreamin' we're all back
at the old place an' pore again. That ends my sleepin'. You see, Allie's
a lady now, an' she's used to silk stockin's, an' Buddy's been out in the
world spendin' money on women, an' Ma's gettin' old. I could go back to
corn bread, but it would kill them. Worst of it is, the black lime ain't
holdin' up, an' our wells will give out some day.&rdquo; Briskow sighed
heavily and his brows drew together in an anxious pucker.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'll have enough money in bank to do you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Banks bust. I tell you the hull world's full of skullduggery.
Suspicious? I should say I was! I use' to think if we had money our
troubles would be over, but&mdash;Lord, that's when they begin! You see,
if I was bright an' knew what slick people is up to, I'd be all right;
but&mdash;Why, I'm like a settin' hen. I can feel the eggs under me, but
how am I goin' to keep the skunks away when they smell the nest? I'm
'most tempted to turn everything I got over to some honest man an' let
him han'le it. Some feller that had the savvy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Unfortunately, such people are rare.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't know but one.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed? Who is he?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I reckon you know,&rdquo; said Briskow.</p>

<p>The listener looked up with quickened interest; there was a sharp ring
to his voice when he said: &ldquo;Let me get this right.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're the only man I ever knowed that I'd bank my life on. An'
you're smart. You wouldn't take Buddy, but mebbe you'd kinda&mdash;take
me; take all of us. I tell you I'm skeered!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Just how much confidence do I inspire in you?&rdquo; Gray's
expression was peculiar, for amazement, doubt, eagerness were equally
blended.</p>

<p>&ldquo;This much: I'd turn the hull works over to you, if you'd look
out for us.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You&mdash;scarcely know me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I know you well enough!&rdquo; Briskow smiled his slow,
shrewd smile. &ldquo;So does Ma. So does Allie an' Bud.&rdquo;</p>

<p>For quite a while the caller sat with head bowed, with his gaze fixed
upon the flames; when he looked up his face was red, his eyes were
brighter than usual.</p>

<p>&ldquo;To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved. Yes,
and it's hell to be born with a conscience.&rdquo; He fell silent again,
for this was a moment to be treasured and he could not let it pass too
quickly. &ldquo;You say you want nothing to do with oil?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Anything but that. I know it so well, an'&mdash;Ma's gettin'
feeble.&rdquo; Again silence. &ldquo;Of course, if you'd do it, I
wouldn't ask no questions. I'd rather shut my eyes an' trust you than
keep 'em open an'&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You don't know how much I'd like to say yes, but I fought Buddy
to prevent him from making a mistake, and I sha'n't allow you to make
this one.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hm-m! Will you keep me from makin' <i>other</i>
mistakes?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I will, if I can.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mebbe that's enough. Anyhow, I'll sleep better to-night for
seein' you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I think I hear Ma stirring,&rdquo; said Gray, as he rose.
&ldquo;I brought her a few little presents, and I'd like to take them up
to her.&rdquo; As he left the room there was the same queer light in his
eyes; nevertheless, he moved slowly, like a man tired.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_26">CHAPTER XXV</a></h3>

<p>Gray was shocked at the change in Ma Briskow. She had failed
surprisingly. Pleasure lit her face, and she fell into a brief flutter of
delight at seeing him; but as soon as their first greeting was over he
led her to her lounge and insisted upon making her comfortable. He had
tricks with cushions and pillows, so he declared; they became his
obedient servants, and there was a knack in arranging them&mdash;the same
knack that a robin uses in building its nest. This he demonstrated quite
conclusively.</p>

<p>It was nice to have a great, masterful man like this take charge of
one, and Ma sighed gratefully as she lay back. &ldquo;It does kinda feel
like a bird's nest,&rdquo; she declared. &ldquo;And you kinda look like a
robin, too; you're allus dressed so neat.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Exactly,&rdquo; he chuckled. &ldquo;Robins are the very neatest
dressers of all the birds. But look! Like a real robin, I've brought
spring with me.&rdquo; He opened a huge box of long-stemmed roses and
held their cool, dewy buds against Ma Briskow's withered face, then,
laughing and chatting, he arranged them in vases where she could see
them. Next, he drew down the shades, shutting out the dreary afternoon,
after which he lit the gas log, and soon the room, whether by reason of
his glowing personality or his deft rearrangement of its contents, or
both, became a warm and cheerful place.</p>

<p>He had brought other gifts than flowers, too; thoughtful, expensive
things that fairly took Ma's breath. No one had ever given her presents;
to be remembered, therefore, with useless, delightful little luxuries
filled her gentle soul with a guilty rapture.</p>

<p>But these were not gifts in the ordinary sense; they were offerings
from the Duke of Dallas, and his manner of presenting them invested every
article with ducal dignity. The Princess Pensacola had not played for a
long time, and so to recline languidly in a beautiful Japanese kimono,
with her feet in a pair of wonderful soft boudoir slippers spun by the
duke's private silkworms and knit by his own oriental knitting slaves,
while he paid court to her, was doubly thrilling.</p>

<p>The duke certainly was a reckless spender, but thank goodness he
hadn't bought things for the house&mdash;things just to <i>look</i> at
and to share with other people! He knew enough to buy intimate things,
things a woman could wear and feel rich in. Ma hugged herself and tried
to look beautiful.</p>

<p>Gray was seated on the side of her couch with her cold hand between
his warm palms, and he was telling her about the princess of Wichita
Falls when the summons to dinner interrupted them.</p>

<p>Ma was not hungry, and she had expected to have a bite in her own
room; but her caller was so vigorous in his objections to this plan that
she finally agreed to come downstairs.</p>

<p>The Briskow household was poorly organized as yet, and it was only
natural that it should function imperfectly; nevertheless, Gray was
annoyed at the clumsy manner in which the dinner was served. Being a
meticulous man and accustomed to comfort, incompetent servants distressed
him beyond measure, and he soon discovered that the Briskow help was as
completely incompetent as any he had ever seen. The butler, for instance,
a pleasant-faced colored man, had evidently come straight from the docks,
for he passed the food much as a stoker passes coal to a boiler, while
the sound of a crashing platter in the butler's pantry gave evidence that
the second girl was a house wrecker.</p>

<p>&ldquo;See here, Ma!&rdquo; Gray threw down his napkin. &ldquo;You
have a beautiful home, and you want it to be perfect, don't
you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, of Course. We bought everything we' could
buy&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Everything except skillful servants, and they are hard to find.
You are capable of training your cook and teaching your upstairs girl to
sweep and make beds; but the test of a well-run house is a well-served
meal. Dish-breaking ought to be a felony, and when I become President I
propose to make the spoiling of food a capital offense. Now then, you're
not eating a bite, anyhow, and Gus won't mind waiting awhile for his
dinner. With your permission, I'd like to take things in hand and add a
hundred per cent to your future comfort?&rdquo;</p>

<p>In some bewilderment Ma agreed that she would do anything her guest
suggested, whereupon he rose energetically and called the three domestics
into the dining room.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We are going to start this dinner all over again,&rdquo; he
announced, &ldquo;and we are going to begin by swapping places. I am
going to serve it as a dinner should be served, and you are going to eat
it as &mdash;Well, I dare say nature will have to take its course. I
shall explain, as I go along, and I want you to remember every word I
say, every move I make. Mr. and Mrs. Briskow are going to look on. After
we have finished you are going to serve us exactly as I served
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Naturally, this proposition amazed the &ldquo;help&rdquo;; in fact,
its absurdity convulsed them. The man laughed loudly; the cook buried her
ebony face in her apron; the second girl bent double with mirth. Here was
a quaint gentleman, indeed, and a great joker. But the gentleman was not
joking. On the contrary, he brought this levity to an abrupt end, then,
gravely, ceremoniously, he seated the trio. They sobered quickly enough
at this; they became, in fact, as funereal as three crows; but their
astonishment at what followed was no greater than that of the
Briskows.</p>

<p>Gray played butler with a correctness and a poise deeply impressive to
his round-eyed audience, and as he served the courses he delivered a
lecture upon the etiquette of domestic service, the art of cooking, and
the various niceties of a servant's calling. Nothing could have been more
impressive than being waited upon by a person of his magnificence, and
his lecture, moreover, was delivered in a way that drove understanding
into their thick heads.</p>

<p>It was an uncomfortable experience for all except Gray
himself&mdash;he actually enjoyed it&mdash;and when the last dish had
been removed, and he had given instructions to serve the meal over again
exactly as he had served it, the three negroes were glad to obey. Of
course they made mistakes, but these Gray instantly corrected, and the
results of his dress rehearsal were, on the whole, surprising.</p>

<p>&ldquo;There!&rdquo; he said, when the ordeal had finally come to an
end. &ldquo;A little patience, a little practice, and you'll be proud of
them. Incidentally, I have saved you a fortune in dishes.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wish Allie'd been here. She'd remember everything you
said,&rdquo; Ma declared.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Lord! Think of Mr. Gray waitin' on them niggers!&rdquo; Gus was
still deeply shocked.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You see what a meddlesome busybody I am,&rdquo; the guest
laughed. &ldquo;I don't know how to mind my own business, and the one
luxury I enjoy most of all is regulating other people's affairs.&rdquo;
He was still talking, still lecturing his hearers upon the obligations
prosperity had put upon them, when he was summoned to the telephone by a
long-distance call. He returned in some agitation to announce:
&ldquo;Well, at last I have business of my own to attend.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Was that Buddy talkin'?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It was, and he gave me some good news. He says that well on
thirty-five is liable to come in at any minute, and it looks like a big
one.&rdquo; The speaker's eyes were glowing, and he ran on, breathlessly,
&ldquo;He says they're betting it will do better than ten thousand
barrels!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Ten thousand bar'ls!</i>&rdquo; Briskow echoed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's what he said. Of course, they can't tell a thing about
it. Buddy's only guessing, but&mdash;I haven't had a big well yet.&rdquo;
Gray took a nervous turn about the room.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ten thousand barrels! Lord! That would help. That would do the
trick. And to think that it should come now, this very day&mdash;&rdquo;
He laughed triumphantly and ran on as if talking to himself: &ldquo;'The
wicked are fatted for destruction. Their happiness shall pass away like a
torrent.' Pull out and leave me, eh?&rdquo; A second time he laughed,
more loudly. &ldquo;Luck? It isn't luck, it's Destiny. The mills of the
Gods are grinding. Ma Briskow, the fairy ladies danced upon the hearth
when I was born. Do you know what that means?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ten thousand bar'ls a day, an' you buttlin' for three
niggers!&rdquo; gasped the head of the house.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm going out on to-night's train and see it come in&mdash;if
it does come in. I told Buddy to stop work; not to drop another tool
until I arrived. 'Fatted for destruction.' I like the sound of that. Ten
thousand barrels! Ho! I'll write this day in brass. Why, that lease will
sell for a million. It&mdash;it may mean the end.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray brought himself to with an effort, hastily he kissed Ma Briskow's
faded cheek and wrung her husband's hand. A moment later he was gone.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Thirty-five,&rdquo; where Buddy was working, was only a few
miles from the Briskow ranch, therefore the boy was able to meet his
sister at Ranger and drive her directly to the old home. The place was
much the same as when they had left it, thanks to the watchful attention
of the men in charge of the Briskow wells, and there they spent the
night. Buddy and his sister had always been close confidants, and their
long separation, their varied experiences, left many things to be
discussed.</p>

<p>The ranch house seemed very mean, very insignificant to Allie, but she
slipped into one of her old dresses and prepared the supper while Buddy
straddled a kitchen chair and chattered upon ten thousand topics of
mutual interest.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Doggone!&rdquo; he exclaimed, finally. &ldquo;I hardly knew you
when you stepped off that train, but it seems like old times now, with
you hustlin' around in that gingham.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wish it was.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hunh?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wish, sometimes, that we'd never struck oil.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good Lord! Why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh&rdquo;&mdash;Allie turned her back and bent over the
stove&mdash;&ldquo;for lots of reasons! Ma never had a sick day till
lately. Now she's failin' fast.&rdquo; Buddy frowned at this
intelligence. &ldquo;And Pa's as restless as a squirrel. All the time
scared of losing his money.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, <i>you</i> got no kick coming, sis. You've sure made
good.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dunno&mdash;You've got rich ways. An' rich <i>looks</i>,
too!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie lifted an interested face, and her brother undertook, somewhat
awkwardly, to tell her wherein she had improved. She listened with greedy
delight, but when he had finished she shook her head skeptically and
declared: &ldquo;It sounds nice, and God knows I've tried hard enough,
but-there's a difference, Bud. We're 'trash' and always will
be.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Of course young Briskow's mind was full of business, and he could not
long stay off that absorbing topic. When, during their supper, he
announced the fact that the well on thirty-five showed signs of coming in
shortly, and that he intended to send for Calvin Gray, Allie changed her
mind about returning home and decided to wait over until the latter
arrived.</p>

<p>She and Buddy talked until a late hour that night, but although she
was dying to have him tell her about his romance, his dream of love, he
never so much as referred to it, and she could not bring herself to
disregard his reticence. Nor could she bear to discuss with him the
problem that lay nearest her own heart. She had brooded long over that
problem, and her soul was hungry to share its bitter secret;
nevertheless, she could not do so, for it is often easier to bare our
wounds to strangers than to those we love. If her breedings, her
bitterness of spirit manifested themselves, it was in a fixed undertone
of pessimism and in an occasional outburst of recklessness that
bewildered her brother.</p>

<p>On the morning of Gray's coming she rode with Buddy over to
thirty-five. It was a wretched, rainy day, and nothing is more bleak than
a rainy day in a drilling camp. Work had been halted and the men were
loafing in their bunk house. Brother and sister spent the impatient hours
in the mess tent. As usual, they talked a good deal about Calvin
Gray.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Funny, him comin' here a stranger, an' gettin' to run our whole
family, ain't it?&rdquo; Buddy said.</p>

<p>Allie nodded. &ldquo;Funnier thing than that is your working for
him.&rdquo; Buddy was surprised, so she asked him: &ldquo;Aren't you sore
at him for&mdash;what he did? For breaking up that affair?&rdquo; It was
a question that had been upon her lips more than once; she could not
credit her brother with entire sincerity when he answered, frankly
enough:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sore? Not the least bit.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Didn't you&mdash;care for her?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, sure. I was all tore up, at first. But he did me the
biggest kind of a favor.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie shook her head uncomprehendingly. &ldquo;Men are queer things.
You<i>must</i> have loved her, for a while.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I reckon I did, if you're a mind to call it that. But he says
that sort of thing ain't real love.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;'<i>He says</i>'!&rdquo; the girl cried, scornfully. &ldquo;My
God, Buddy! Would you let <i>him</i> tell you&mdash;? Is he pickin' out
women for you like he picks out a dress for me and a hotel for Ma? How
does <i>he</i> know what's the real thing?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She was a&mdash;grafter,&rdquo; the brother explained, with a
flush of embarrassment. &ldquo;She'd of probably took my money an' quit
me cold.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; The girl rose and, with somber defiance in her
smoldering eyes, stared out at the desolate day. &ldquo;You'd have had
her for a while, wouldn't you? You'd have lived while it lasted. What's
the difference if she was a grafter? D'you think you're going to fall in
love and marry a duchess, or something? I wish I'd had your chance,
that's all.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What d'you mean by that?&rdquo; Buddy queried, sharply.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I mean this,&rdquo; Allie flamed at him. &ldquo;We're nobodies
and we've got nothing but our money. A counterfeit is as good as ever
we'll get &mdash;and it's as good as we're entitled to. I'd rather know
what it is to live for an hour than to go on forever just pretending to
live. If I've got to be unhappy, then give me something to be unhappy
over; something to look back on. I'd rather be&mdash;But, pshaw! You
don't understand. You couldn't.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dunno what's got into you lately,&rdquo; Buddy declared, with
a frown.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing's got into me. Only, what's the use of starving when
the world's full of good things and you've got the price to buy them?
<i>I</i> won't do it. If ever I get my chance, you watch me!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray's trip from the railroad was more like a voyage than a motor
journey, for the creek beds, usually dry, were angry torrents, and the
'dobe flats were quagmires through which his vehicle plowed hub deep;
nevertheless, he was fresh and alert when he arrived. After a buoyant
greeting to Allie, he and Buddy inspected the well, then he issued orders
for work to be resumed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We're gettin' close to something,&rdquo; young Briskow
declared. &ldquo;She's making gas an' rumblin' like she'd let go any
minute. We got reservoys built an' the boiler's moved back, so we can
douse the fire when she starts. I figger she'll drownd us out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What are the indications at Nelson's well?&rdquo; Gray turned
his eyes in the direction of a derrick on the adjoining property, the top
of which showed over the mesquite.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothin' extra. They won't tell us anything, but they're deeper
'n we are.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How do you know?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy winked wisely. &ldquo;We counted the layers of cable on the
bull-wheel drum. Checked up their casing, too, an' watched their
cuttin's. They got their eye on us, too, an' they'll be over when we blow
in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>That was an anxious afternoon, for as the drill bit deeper into the
rock it provoked indications of a terrific force imprisoned far below. To
the observers it seemed as if that sharp-edged tool was tap-tapping upon
the thin shell of some vast reservoir already leaking and charged to the
bursting point with a mighty pressure. An odor of gas escaped from the
casing mouth, occasionally there came hoarse, throaty gurglings of the
thick liquid at the bottom of the well. The bailer was run
frequently.</p>

<p>Word had gone forth that there was something doing on thirty-five, and
from the chaparral emerged muddy motor cars bringing scouts, neighboring
lease owners, and even the members of a near-by casing crew.</p>

<p>Supper was a jumpy meal, and nobody had much to say, Allie Briskow
least of all. She was silent, intense; she curtly refused Buddy's offer
to send her home, and when the meal was over she followed Gray back to
the derrick. He was on edge, of course. It seemed to him that every blow
of that bit was struck upon his naked nerves, for he had a deep
conviction that this was to prove the night of his life, and the strain
of waiting was becoming onerous. This well meant so much. Ten thousand
barrels, fifteen, five&mdash;even one thousand; it mattered little how
heavy the flow, for a good-paying well would see him through his
immediate troubles. And this was a well of some sort, or else indications
meant nothing and everybody was greatly mistaken. Of course, a big well,
something to create a furor&mdash;that was what he needed, for that not
only would bridge his financial crisis, but also it would mean a frenzy
of quick drilling, new wells crowded close together, hundreds of
thousands of dollars poured into the earth, and the Nelsons couldn't
stand that. It would break them&mdash;break them, and he would taste the
full sweetness of revenge. Oh, he had waited long! Nor was that all. Once
he had Henry Nelson down, and his foot on the fellow's throat, he'd have
something to say to Barbara Parker. He could say it then and look her in
the eyes. He wished she was here to-night while he stood on the top of
the world. Ten thousand barrels! Twenty thousand! Twenty-thousand-barrel
gushers were not unknown. A well like that would mean a fortune every
day. But why didn't it start?</p>

<p>They were bailing again and curiosity drew the owner in upon the
derrick floor. This time the flow might begin; at any moment now oil
might come with the water. There is some danger in standing close to a
well during this bailing process, but Gray was like a bit of iron in the
field of a magnet; spellbound, he watched the cable as it ran smoothly
off the drum, flowed up over the crown block and down into the casing
mouth. That heavy, torpedolike weight on the end of the line was dropping
almost half a mile. Up it came swiftly, as if greased; up, up, until it
emerged into the glare of the incandescent overhead and hung there
dripping. It was swung aside and lowered, and out gushed its muddy
contents.</p>

<p>Water! Black and thick as molasses, but water nevertheless.</p>

<p>Buddy Briskow was running the rig, and the dexterity with which he
handled brake and control rod gave him pride. He had seated his sister on
a bench out of the way, where she was protected from the drizzle, and he
felt her eyes upon him. It gave him a sense of importance to have Allie
watching him at such a crisis; he wished his parents were with her. If
this well blew in big, as it seemed bound to do, it would be a personal
triumph, for not many cub drillers could boast of bringing in a gusher
the first time. It was, in fact, no mean accomplishment to make any sort
of a well; to pierce the earth with an absolutely vertical shaft a half
mile deep and line it with tons upon tons of heavy casing joined air-
tight and fitted to a hair's breadth was an engineering feat in itself.
It was something that only an oil man could appreciate. And he was an oil
man; a darn good one, too, so Buddy told himself.</p>

<p>He eased the brake and the massive bailer slid into the casing as a
heavy shell slips into the breech of a cannon. As he further released his
pressure, the cable began to pour serpentlike from the drum. Buddy turned
his wet, grimy face and flashed a grin at Allie. She smiled back at him
faintly. Some lightninglike change in her expression, or perhaps some
occult sense of the untoward warned him that all was not as it should be,
and he jerked his head back to attention.</p>

<p>There are moments of catastrophe when for a brief interval nature
slows, time stops, and we are carried in suspense. Such an instant Buddy
Briskow experienced now. He knew at first glance what had happened, and a
frightened cry burst from his throat, but it was a cry too short, too
hoarse, to serve as a warning.</p>

<p>During that moment of inattention the bailer had stuck. Perhaps five
hundred feet below, friction had checked its plunge, and meanwhile the
velvet-running drum, spinning at its maximum velocity by reason of the
whirling bull wheel, was unreeling its cable down upon the derrick
platform. Down it poured in giant loops, and within those coils, either
unconscious of his danger or paralyzed by its suddenness, stood Calvin
Gray.</p>

<p>Men schooled in hazardous enterprises carry subconscious mental
photographs of the perils with which their callings are invested and they
react involuntarily to them. Buddy had heard of drillers decapitated by
flying cables, of human bodies caught within those wire loops and cut in
twain as if made of lard, for when a wedged tool resumes its downward
plunge it straightens those coils above ground in the twinkling of an
eye. Instinct, rather than reason, warned Buddy not to check the blinding
revolutions of the bull wheel. Without thought he leaped forward into the
midst of those swiftly forming loops, and as he landed upon the slippery
floor he clenched his fist and struck with all the power he could put
behind his massive arm. Gray's back was to him, the blow was like that of
a walking beam, and it sent the elder man flying as a tenpin is hurled
ahead of a bowling ball. Buddy fell, too. He went sprawling. As he slid
across the muddy floor he felt the steel cable writhing under him like a
thing alive, and the touch of it as it streamed into the well burned his
flesh. He kicked and fought it as he would have fought the closing folds
of a python, for the bailer was falling again and the wire loops were
vanishing as the coils in a whiplash vanish during its flight.</p>

<p>Buddy's booted legs were thrown high, he was tossed aside like a thing
of paper, but blind, half stunned, he scrambled back to his post. By this
time the whole structure of the derrick was rocking to the mad gyrations
of the bull wheel; the giant spool was spinning with a speed that
threatened to send it flying, like the fragments of a bursting bomb, but
the youth understood dimly the danger of stopping it too
suddenly&mdash;to fetch up that plunging weight at the cable end might
snap the line, collapse the derrick, &ldquo;jim&rdquo; the well. Buddy
weaved dizzily in his tracks; nevertheless, his hand was steady, and he
applied a gradually increasing pressure to the brake. Nor did he take his
eyes from his task until the drum had ceased revolving and the runaway
bailer hung motionless in the well.</p>

<p>When he finally looked about it seemed to him that he had lived a long
time and was very old. Gray lay motionless where he had fallen, and his
body was twisted into a shockingly unnatural posture. He was bleeding.
Allie Briskow was bending over him. Other dim, dreamlike figures were
swarming out of the gloom and into the radiance of the derrick lights;
there was a far-away clamor of shouting voices. Buddy Briskow felt
himself growing deathly sick.</p>

<p>They carried Gray to the bunk house, and his limbs hung loosely, his
head lolled in a manner terrifying to Buddy and his sister. As they
stumbled along beside the group, the girl cried:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, my God! Oh, my God!&rdquo; She repeated the cry over and
over again in a voice strange to her brother's ears.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&mdash;it wasn't my fault,&rdquo; he told her, hoarsely.
&ldquo;I aimed to save him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You killed him!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He ain't&mdash;&rdquo; Buddy choked and clung to her.
&ldquo;He's just stunned like. He ain't&mdash;that!&rdquo; The youth was
amazed when Allie turned and cursed him with oaths that he himself seldom
ventured to employ.</p>

<p>But Gray was not dead. Buddy's blow had well-nigh broken his neck, and
he had suffered a further injury to his head in falling; nevertheless, he
responded to such medical aid as they could supply, and in time he opened
his eyes. His gaze was dull, however, and for a long while he lay in a
sort of coma, quite as alarming as his former condition. They brought him
to at last long enough to acquaint him with what had happened, and
although it was plain that he understood their words only dimly, he
ordered the work resumed.</p>

<p>When for a second time he lapsed into semiconsciousness, it was Allie
Briskow who put his orders into execution. &ldquo;You ain't doing any
good standing around staring at him and whispering. Bring in that well,
as fast as ever you can, and bring it in <i>big</i>. Now, get out and
leave him to me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy was the last to go. He inquired, miserably: &ldquo;Honest, he
ain't hurt bad, is he? You don't think&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Get out!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He won't&mdash;die? Ain't no chance of him doin' that, is
there?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If he does, I'll&mdash;&rdquo; The speaker's face was ashen,
but her eyes blazed. &ldquo;I'll fix you, Buddy Briskow. I will, so help
me God!&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was late that night when the well came in. It came with a rush and
a roar, drenching the derrick with a geyser of muddy water and driving
both crew and spectators out into the gloom. Up, up the column rose,
spraying itself into mist, and from its iron throat issued a sound unlike
that of any other phenomenon. It was a hoarse, rumbling bellow, growing
in volume and rising in pitch second by second until it finally attained
a shrieking crescendo. Ten thousand safety valves had let go, and they
steadily gathered strength and shrillness as they functioned. A shocking
sound it became, a sound that carried for miles, rocking the air and
stunning the senses. It beat upon the eardrums, pierced them; men shouted
at each other, but heard their own voices only faintly.</p>

<p>Calvin Gray had recovered his senses sufficiently to understand the
meaning of that uproar, and he tried to get up, but Allie held him down
upon his bed. She was still struggling with him when her brother burst
into the house, shouting:</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's a gasser, Mr. Gray! Biggest I ever seen.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Gas?&rdquo; the latter mumbled, indistinctly. &ldquo;Isn't
there any&mdash;oil?&rdquo; His words were almost like a whisper because
of the noise.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not yet. May be later. Say, she's a heller, ain't she? I'll bet
she's makin' twenty million feet&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Gasser's no good.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Can't tell yet. We gotta shut her down easy so she don't blow
the casing out&mdash;run wild on us, understand?&rdquo; Buddy was still
breathless, but he plunged out the door and back into that sea of
sound.</p>

<p>With a tragic intensity akin to wildness, Gray stared up into Allie
Briskow's face. &ldquo;Worthless, eh? And they told me ten thousand
barrels.&rdquo; He carried a shaking hand to his bandaged head and tried
vainly to collect his wits. &ldquo;What's matter?&rdquo; he queried,
thickly. &ldquo;Everything whirling&mdash;sick&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You had an accident, but it's all right; all right&mdash;No,
no! Please lie still.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Running wild, eh? Tha's what hurts my head so. Blown the casing
out&mdash;Bad, isn't it? Sometimes they run wild for weeks,
years&mdash;ruin everything.&rdquo; He tried again to rise, then
insisted, querulously: &ldquo;Goto get oil in this well! I've got to!
Last chance, Allie. Got to get ten thousand barrels!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Please! You mustn't&mdash;&rdquo; Allie had her strong hands
upon his shoulders; she was arguing firmly but as gently as possible
under the circumstances, when something occurred so extraordinary, so
unexpected, as to paralyze her. Of a sudden the interior of the dim-lit,
canvas-roofed shack was illuminated as if by a searchlight, and she
turned her head to see that the whole out-of-doors was visible and that
the night itself had turned into day.</p>

<p>With a cry that died weakly amid the chaos of sound beating over her,
the girl ran to the window and looked out. What she beheld was a
nightmare scene. The well was afire. It had exploded into flame. Where, a
moment before, it had been belching skyward an enormous stream of gaseous
vapor, all but invisible except at the casing head, now it was a
monstrous blow torch, the flaming crest of which was tossed a hundred
feet high. Nothing in the nature of a conflagration could have been more
awe-inspiring, more confounding to the faculties than that roaring column
of consuming fire. It was a thing incredibly huge, incredibly furious,
incredibly wild. Human figures, black against its glare, were flying to
safety, near-by silhouettes were flinging their arms aloft and dashing
backward and forward; faces upturned to it were white and terrified. The
scattered mesquite stood against the night like a wall, spotted with inky
shadows, and, above, the heavens resembled a boiling caldron.</p>

<p>It was a hellish picture; it remained indelibly fixed upon Allie
Briskow's mind. As she looked on in horrid fascination, she saw the
derrick change into a latticelike tower of flame, saw its upper part
begin slowly to crumble and disintegrate. The force with which the gas
issued blew the blaze high and held it dancing, tumbling in mid-air, a
phenomenon indescribably weird and impressive. The men who stood nearest
bent their heads and shielded their faces from the heat.</p>

<p>Allie tore her eyes away from the spectacle finally. She turned back
to the bed, then she halted, for it was empty. The door, still ajar from
Buddy's headlong exit, informed her whence her patient had gone, and she
flew after him.</p>

<p>She found him not half a dozen paces away. In fact, she stumbled over
his prostrate body. With an amazon's strength, she gathered him into her
arms, then staggered with him back to his couch, and as she strained him
to herself she loudly called his name. Amid that demoniac din, amid the
shrieking of those million devils, freed from the black chasms of the
rock, her voice was as feeble as the wail of a sick child.</p>

<p>When she had laid her inert burden upon the bed, Allie knelt and took
Gray's head upon her bosom. Then, for the first time, those forces
imprisoned deep within her being ran wild, and under the red glare of
that flaming geyser she kissed his hair, his eyes, his lips. Over and
over again she kissed them with the hungry passion of a woman
starved.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_27">CHAPTER XXVI</a></h3>

<p>A subdued but continuous whispering irritated Calvin Gray. When it
persisted, minute after minute, he opened his eyes, asking himself,
dully, why it was that people couldn't let a fellow sleep. He lay, for
some time, trying to recognize his unfamiliar surroundings; oddly enough,
he could not discover the origin of that low-pitched murmur, since there
was nobody in his bedroom. Evidently he had slept too hard, for his eyes
were heavy, his vision was distorted, and an unaccustomed lassitude bore
down his body and stupefied his brain. A thousand indistinct memories
were moving about in the penumbral borderland of consciousness, but they
refused to take shape. They would emerge into the light presently, of
course. Meanwhile, it was restful to remain in this state of
semi-stupefaction. He was pretty tired.</p>

<p>That whispering, he realized after a while, was nothing more than the
monotonous murmur of rain upon a shingle roof, and the gurgle from
dripping eaves. Oh yes! It had been pouring for several days; raining
buckets, barrels&mdash;Ten thousand barrels a day!</p>

<p>Yonder was something familiar; a patent, spring rocking-chair. Gray
knew it well. It creaked miserably when you sat in it, and when you got
up to look at diamond rings it snapped its jaws at you like an alligator.
Odd that they'd let an alligator into the Ajax Hotel. Nelson's doings,
probably. Always up to some deviltry, that Nelson. But, thank God, the
fire was out, and that ear- splitting racket that hurt his head had
changed into the soothing patter of raindrops. There couldn't be any fire
with ten thousand barrels of rain falling.</p>

<p>Gray closed his eyes and dozed briefly. But he had dreams; calamity
haunted him; he awoke to the realization of some horror. Slowly his brain
began to function, then more swiftly, until, like a flood released,
memory returned. He groaned aloud.</p>

<p>Allegheny Briskow appeared out of nowhere and laid a soothing hand
upon his brow. When she saw the light of sanity in his eyes, her face
brightened and she cried, eagerly:</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're coming around all right, aren't you?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ten thousand barrels!&rdquo; he mumbled. &ldquo;They said it
would be a big well and I counted on it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't try to think&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;But it came in a gasser. I remember it all now&mdash;nearly
all. I &mdash;I'm about ruined, I guess.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No, no!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It caught fire.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You mustn't talk. Everything is all right&mdash;all right,
honestly. I'll tell you everything, but just you rest now until Buddy
comes.&rdquo; There was magnetism to the girl's touch and comfort in her
voice.</p>

<p>It was some time later that Gray opened his eyes and spoke in a more
natural voice, saying, &ldquo;How do I happen to be here in your house,
Allie?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We brought you over at daylight. Buddy's gone for a doctor, but
he'll be back.&rdquo; The girl averted her face quickly and moved toward
the window.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I remember being hurt in some way&mdash;derrick fell on me, or
something. Then the well caught fire. What time is it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's afternoon. About four o'clock. Buddy 'll be
back&mdash;&rdquo; Allie's voice caught queerly. &ldquo;He'll get back
somehow.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He ought to be at the well&mdash;putting it out. God! What a
sight! I see it yet!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The well is out!&rdquo; Allie returned and seated herself
beside the bed. &ldquo;You probably won't understand it or believe
it&mdash;I can scarcely believe it myself, for it's a miracle. All the
same, it is out, shut in, and not much damage done. You're not ruined,
either, for Buddy says they're short of fuel here, and a gasser this size
is worth a good deal&mdash;'most as much as a fair oil well.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How can it be shut in? It was blazing, roaring&mdash;a tower of
flame. The derrick itself was going&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know, but the strangest thing&mdash;&rdquo; Allie spoke
breathlessly. &ldquo;Let me do the talking, please. You remember the
drill stems were standing over in one corner? Well, the fire drove
everybody off, of course; there was no facing it, and they thought sure
they'd have a job&mdash;have to send for boilers and smother it down with
steam, maybe, or tunnel under, or something&mdash;work for days, maybe
weeks, and spend a fortune. Anyhow, they were in a panic, but when the
derrick went down what do you think? That stack of drill stems fell in
such a way as to close the gate valve at the top of the
casing.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray frowned, he shook his head. &ldquo;Impossible. You're trying to
ease my mind.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course it's impossible. But it happened, just as I tell you.
Buddy had a bar fixed in the valve wheel, like a long handle, so that a
half turn, or maybe a quarter, would shut it. Anyhow, those drill stems
caught that bar in falling and closed the valve. Somebody said it
happened once before, to an oil well over in Louisiana&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&mdash;sounds incredible.&rdquo; The speaker made an effort
to collect himself, he raised an uncertain hand to his bandaged head.
&ldquo;What ails me? I recall a lot of things, but they're pretty well
confused.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie made known, the nature of the accident resulting in Gray's
injury, and he nodded his understanding. &ldquo;So Buddy saved my
life!&rdquo; He smiled. &ldquo;Great boy, Buddy! I'll know better than to
mix it with him again&mdash;he learns too quickly.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, it was terrible! I've been so&mdash;so frightened!&rdquo;
Allie Briskow suddenly lost control of herself and, bowing her head, she
hid her face in the musty patchwork quilt. Her shoulders shook, her whole
strong body twitched and trembled. &ldquo;You've b-been awful sick. I did
the best I could, but&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There, there!&rdquo; Gray placed his hand upon the girl's head;
he took her palm in his and stroked it. &ldquo;I'm not worth your tears,
child. And, anyhow, I'm all right again; I am, indeed. I'm as well as
ever, so far as I can tell. By the way, what set the well
afire?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buddy thinks somebody must have dropped a cigarette when the
stampede came.&rdquo; The girl raised her face and wiped the tears from
it. &ldquo;It doesn't seem possible anybody would be so careless as to
smoke near a well that was coming in, but&mdash;Just think, Mr. Gray,
those drill stems shut it off! Why, it was the hand of God!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It seems so. My luck hasn't run out, that's plain.&rdquo; The
speaker pondered briefly, then he said: &ldquo;Shut in! Safe! Jove, it's
wonderful! Buddy can take me to the railroad to-night
and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, you can't leave. You're not able.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I must. This gasser was a great disappointment to me. I allowed
myself to count on a big well, and now I have a serious problem to meet.
It must be met without delay. Buddy will soon be back, I dare say?&rdquo;
Allie undertook to evade the speaker's eye, but unsuccessfully, and he
inquired, sharply: &ldquo;What's wrong? What's happened to
him?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing. He's all right, but&rdquo;&mdash;Gray's evident alarm
demanded the truth, therefore she explained&mdash;&ldquo;but I don't know
when he'll be back. That's why I've been so frightened. It has been
raining cats and dogs; the creek has overflowed and everything is under
water.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Under water? Here? Why, that can't be.&rdquo; Gray insisted
upon rising, and Allie finally consented to his doing so; then, despite
his protest that ha was quite able to take care of himself, she helped
him to the window. From that position he beheld a surprising scene.</p>

<p>The Briskow farm lay in a flat, saucerlike valley, arid and dusty at
most seasons of the year, but now a shallow lake, the surface of which
was broken by occasional fences, misty clumps of bushes, or the tops of
dead weeds. The nearest Briskow derrick was dimly visible, its floor
awash, its shape suggestive of the battle mast of a sunken
man-of-war.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's not more than a foot or two deep on the level,&rdquo;
Allie explained, &ldquo;but that's enough. And it has come up six inches
since Buddy left. He'd have been back before this if he could have made
it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did you ever see it like this before?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Once, when I was a little girl. Some years the creek never has
a drop in it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then we're marooned.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We were cut off for three days that time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray frowned. What next? he asked himself. Here was a calamity that
could not be dodged. He shrugged, finally. &ldquo;No use to fret. No use
to crouch beneath a load. I'd give my right arm to be back in Dallas,
but&mdash;this is our chance to cultivate the Christian virtue of
submission. So be it! One must have a heart for every fate, but,&rdquo;
he smiled at the girl, &ldquo;it is hard to be philosophical when you're
hungry. And I'm hungry.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, you <i>are</i> better!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm well, I tell you, except for the bruises bequeathed me by
your brutal brother. Three days&mdash;a week, maybe! My God! By the way,
is there any food in the house?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Plenty.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then&mdash;we've nothing to do except get better acquainted,
and that is something I've wanted to do for some time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allegheny Briskow sang while she prepared supper, for the reaction
from the strain of the last twelve hours was like an intoxication. Mr.
Gray was in no further danger; he was well except for a bandaged head and
some bruises. And he was here alone with her. They were as completely cut
off from the outside world as if shipwrecked on some island, and, for the
time being at least, he was hers to look out for, hers to wait upon and
to guard. Allie laughed at the drumming of the rain upon the kitchen
roof, and she thrilled at memory of some of the things she had done. She
could feel again Gray's head upon her bosom, his lips against hers, his
body strained to hers. She had listened to his heartbeats; with her own
abundant strength she had shielded him, fought for him, drawn him, by
very force of her will, back to life; the anguish she had suffered during
those long hours became, in retrospect, a poignant pleasure.</p>

<p>She wondered if by any chance he would remember&mdash;there had been
times when he had seemed to be almost rational. She hoped not. And
yet&mdash;why not? If he did remember, if indeed he had felt her kisses
or heard her pleadings, that memory, even if subconscious, might serve to
awaken him. It might evoke some response to the flaming passion that had
finally escaped her control. Gray was a strong man; his emotions, once
roused, were probably as wild as hers, therefore who could tell what
might happen? Irresistible forces, fire and flood, had thrown them
together. They were at the mercy of elemental powers, and they were alone
with each other&mdash;a man and a woman. Allie hoped against hope; she
prayed recklessly, defiantly, that her hour had struck.</p>

<p>Gray came into the kitchen after a while to warm himself over the
stove. He was still a little bit unsteady on his feet, and his head felt
queer; but he assumed a certain gayety and insisted upon bearing an
awkward hand with the cooking and the dishes. He had never seen Allie as
she was now, nor in a mood to compare with this, and for the first time
he realized how fully she had developed. It was not surprising that her
metamorphosis had escaped his attention, for he had never taken time to
do more than briefly appraise her. With leisure for observation, however,
he noted that she had made good her promise of rare physical charm, and
that her comeliness had ripened into real beauty&mdash;beauty built on an
overwhelming scale, to be sure, and hence doubly striking
&mdash;moreover, he saw that all traces of her stolidity had vanished.
She was an intelligent, wide-awake, vibrant person, and at this moment a
genial fire, a breathless excitement, was ablaze within her. Gray
complimented her frankly, and she was extravagantly pleased.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buddy said almost the same thing,&rdquo; she told him. &ldquo;I
don't care whether it's true or not, if you believe it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, it's true! I saw great things in you, but&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Even when you saw me hoeing in the garden that first
day?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Even then; but I wasn't prepared for a miracle. You were an
enchanted princess, and it required only a magic word to break the
spell.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is all your doings, Mr. Gray. Whatever I am I owe it all to
you. And it's the same with the rest of the family. I&mdash;&rdquo; Allie
hesitated, looked up from her work, then shook her head smilingly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I feel as if&mdash;well, as if you'd made me and
I&mdash;belonged to you.&rdquo; It was dusk by this time; the girl's face
was lit only by the indirect glow from the open door of the stove,
therefore Gray could make nothing of her expression.</p>

<p>&ldquo;How very flattering!&rdquo; he laughed. &ldquo;As a real matter
of fact, I had almost nothing to do with it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;All the same that's how I feel&mdash;as if I owed you
everything and had to give something back. Women are queer, I guess. They
love to give. And yet they're selfish&mdash;more selfish than
men.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wouldn't say so.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You don't know how bad hurt you were, Mr. Gray. I saved your
life as much as Buddy did. You'd have died only for&mdash;only I wouldn't
let you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I believe it. So, you see, you have more than evened the score.
After all, I merely awakened the Sleeping Beauty, while
you&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The prince woke her up with a kiss, didn't he?&rdquo; Allie
said, with a smile.</p>

<p>&ldquo;So the story goes. Fairy stories, by the way, are the only kind
one can afford to believe.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then I've got&mdash;something coming to me, haven't
I?&rdquo;</p>

<p>This time the girl turned her face invitingly to the speaker and
waited.</p>

<p>Here was a new Allie Briskow, indeed, and one that amazed, nay,
disturbed, Gray. Romance, he told himself. The girl meant nothing by
this; nevertheless, her fancy had run far enough. He ignored her
invitation, and instead of kissing her he patted her shoulder
affectionately, saying:</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're a dear child, and I can never repay you for mending my
poor cracked head.&rdquo;</p>

<p>He turned his back, went to the table and lit the lamp, uncomfortably
aware of the fact, meanwhile, that Allie remained motionless where he had
left her. He ran on, casually, during the time he adjusted chimney and
wick: &ldquo;I was on the porch just now and found a rabbit crouching
there. The poor thing was too wet and frightened to move.&rdquo; Allie
did not seem to hear him. &ldquo;All sorts of things are floating about;
dead chickens, rattlesnakes, and&mdash;Oh yes, another thing I noticed;
there's a good deal of oil on the water! I wonder where it comes
from?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie stirred herself; she jerked open the oven door, peered in, then
slammed it shut. Her voice was sullen as she said: &ldquo;They've been
expecting a gusher on sixteen. Maybe the reservoirs have overflowed, or a
pipe line has broken. Maybe it came in wild, you can't tell. This flood
will cost a good many people a lot.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Supper, when the two sat down to it, proved to be a pleasant meal, for
the soft glow of the lamp, the warmth from the stove, made of the Briskow
kitchen a cozy place, while the drumming of the rain overhead enhanced
their feeling of comfort and security. Gray's appetite was not that of a
sick man, and Allie, who had regained her agreeable humor by this time,
waited upon him with eager face and shining eyes. He paused, finally, to
say:</p>

<p>&ldquo;See here! You're not eating a bite.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm not hungry. I couldn't eat, to-night. Please&mdash;I'm
perfectly happy. I feel like a slave at the great lord's table; all I
care to do is look on.&rdquo; After a moment she continued: &ldquo;It
couldn't have been so bad to be a slave&mdash;a girl slave. Somebody
owned them, anyhow; they belonged to their masters, body and soul, and
that's something. Women are like that. They've got to belong to somebody
to be happy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray was a talkative man, therefore he argued this point until he
began to suspect that his companion was not heeding his words so much as
the sound of his voice. More plainly than before he realized that there
was something about Allie to-night utterly strange and quite contrary to
his conception of her, but, because he believed her to be unlike other
women, he did not try to understand it.</p>

<p>During the night an explosive crash followed by a loud reverberation
awoke Calvin Gray and brought him up sitting. His room was lit by white
flickers, against which he saw that the rain still sheeted his windows;
he fumbled for his watch and found that it was two o'clock. This was a
storm, indeed, and he began to fear that this deluge might swell the
waters to a danger point; therefore he rose, struck a light, and dressed
himself. Sleep was out of the question, anyhow, amid such an uproar. As
he stepped out upon the front porch, his attention was instantly drawn to
a yellow glow in the west, a distant torch, the flame of which
illuminated the angry night. He stared at it for a moment before he
realized its meaning. A well was afire! Lightning had wrecked a derrick
and ignited the stream of oil. No wonder, he told himself, for this field
was dotted with towers well calculated to lead lightning out of the
skies, and amid a play of destructive forces such as this nothing less
than a miracle could have prevented something of the sort. But it was a
pity, for yonder a small-sized fortune was going up in smoke.</p>

<p>By the next flare he saw that the waters had crept higher. They were
nearly up to the porch floor now, and, obviously, they were still rising.
That rabbit was crouched where he had last seen it, a wet ball of fur
with round, black eyes. The heavens echoed almost constantly, now to a
thick, distant rumble, again to an appalling din directly overhead; for
seconds at a time there was light enough to read by. The house, Gray
decided, was in no danger, except from a direct bolt, for the valley was
nothing more than a shallow lake; nevertheless&mdash;</p>

<p>A blinding, blue-white streak came, and he counted the seconds before
the sound reached him. Sound traveled something like a thousand feet a
second, he reflected; that bolt must have struck about a mile distant.
Nothing alarming about that, surely. A moment, then he blinked and rubbed
his eyes, for out of the murk was born another bonfire like that to the
westward.</p>

<p>Hearing an exclamation behind him, Gray turned to behold Allie
Briskow's dim figure in the door.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Hello!&rdquo; he cried, excitedly. &ldquo;Did you see that?
Yonder are two wells afire.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know. I haven't closed my eyes. You can see another one from
my window.&rdquo; Allia snapped the light from a pocket flash upon Gray,
and, noting that he was only partly clad, she urged him to come into the
house. When he ignored the request she joined him, and together they
stared at the mounting flames.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Jove! That's terrible!&rdquo; he muttered.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Look here.&rdquo; Allie directed the beam of her light down
over the edge of the porch, and moved it slowly from side to side. The
surface of the water was not only burdened with debris, but also it was
thick with oil. &ldquo;It's just like that on the other side. That gusher
on sixteen must be wild.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why didn't you call me?&rdquo; the man inquired, sharply.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What was the use? There's no chance for us to get
out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How far is it back to high ground?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Quite a ways. Too far to wade. It would be over our heads in
places, too. I don't like the look of it, do you? Not with those fires
going, and&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dare say it won't get any worse.&rdquo; Gray spoke with a
carelessness that he was far from feeling, but his tone did not deceive
the girl.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It doesn't have to get any worse,&rdquo; she declared, im
patiently. &ldquo;There's oil enough here to burn. We're in the middle of
a lake of it. What 'll happen if it catches fire?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Frankly, I don't know. I've never been marooned in a lake of
oil. Probably this rain would quench it-&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You know better than that!&rdquo; Allie cried. &ldquo;Don't act
as if I were a kid. We're in a bad fix, with fire on three sides of
us.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;At least we'll be as well off inside as out here,&rdquo; Gray
declared, and his companion agreed, so together they went into her room,
where, side by side, they peered through her window. What Allie had said
was true, and the man pinched himself to see if he were dreaming. This
conflagration was even closer than the others, and he could not doubt
that there was every likelihood of its spreading to the surface of the
lake itself. Here was a situation, truly. For the life of him he could
think of no way out of it.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've read about this sort of thing,&rdquo; Allie was saying.
&ldquo;Tanks bursting and rivers afire. It spreads all over, the fire
does, and there's no putting it out.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;One thing sure, this lightning won't last
long&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>A blue glare and a ripping explosion gave the lie to Gray's cheering
words. Allie Briskow recoiled from the window.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We'll be burned alive!&rdquo; she gasped. &ldquo;Roasted like
rats in a trap. I&mdash;I'm frightened, Mr. Gray.&rdquo; She drew closer
to him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;No need of that. We'll get out of this scrape
somehow&mdash;people always do.&rdquo; A flicker lit the room, and he saw
that the face upturned to his was wide eyed, strained. That brief glimpse
of Allie, like a picture seen through the shutter of a camera, remained
long with the man, for her hair was unbound, her lips were parted, and
her dark eyes were peculiarly brilliant; through the opening of her lacy
negligee her round, white neck and swelling bosom were exposed. It was a
head, a bust, to be remembered.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;You got to&mdash;hold me,&rdquo; she said, huskily, and
he felt her body shrink close to his. She clung tightly to him, trembling
at first, then shaking in every limb. Fright, it seemed, had suddenly
mastered Allie Briskow.</p>

<p>Gray endeavored for a moment to soothe her, then gently to loosen her
hold; he spoke to her as he would have spoken to a terrified child, but
the wildness of her emotion matched the wildness of the night, and her
strength was nearly equal to his. Knowing her as he did, this abysmal
terror was inexplicable; such abandon was entirely out of keeping with
her. But she had acted queerly ever since&mdash;Gray was ashamed of the
thought that leaped into his mind; he hated himself for harboring it. He
hated himself also for the thrill that coursed through him at contact
with this disheveled creature. The touch of her flesh disturbed him
unbearably. Roughly he tore her arms from about his neck and put her away
from him; by main strength he forced her into a chair, then snatched a
covering of some sort from the bed and folded it around her shoulders.
His voice was hoarse&mdash;to him it sounded almost brutal as he
said:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Get hold of yourself! We're in no great danger, really. Now
then, a light will help us both.&rdquo; With clumsy hands he struck a
match and lit the lamp. &ldquo;Light's a great thing&mdash;drives away
foolishness &mdash;nightmares and fancies of all sorts.&rdquo; Without
looking at her he seized the electric torch and muttered: &ldquo;I'll
take a look around, just to see that things are snug. Back
presently.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray despised himself thoroughly when the turmoil within him
persisted; when he still felt the unruly urge to return whence he had
come. Wild horses! That was how Gus Briskow had described his children.
Well, Allie had followed Buddy's example and jumped the fence. Here was
something unique in the way of an experience, sure enough; here were
forces at play as savage and as destructive as those that lit the
heavens. The girl was magnificent, maddening &mdash;and he was running
away from her! He, a man of the world, as ruthless as most men of his
type! It was a phenomenon to awaken sardonic mirth. He wondered what had
come over him. He had changed, indeed.</p>

<p>Could it be that he had read a wrong significance into Allie's
actions? Thus his mind worked when he grew calmer. He tried to answer in
the affirmative, but already he hated himself sufficiently. No, the night
had done it. Texas cattle stampede on stormy nights. They run blindly to
destruction. The very air was surcharged, electric, and the girl was
untamed, only a step removed from the soil. The possibility that she
could be seriously interested in him, strangely enough, never presented
itself.</p>

<p>Gray laid strong hold of himself, but it is not easy to subdue
thought, and he could feel those strong, smooth, velvet arms encircling
him. Disorder without and chaos within this house! The heavens rumbled
like a mighty drumhead, the lightning made useless the feeble ray in his
hand. It was the place, the hour of impulse. Gray swore savagely at
himself, then he stumbled into his room and dressed himself more
fully.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, there doesn't seem to be much change,&rdquo; he said,
cheerfully, as he opened Allie's door awhile later. &ldquo;The fires
don't seem to be spreading.&rdquo; She was sitting where he had left her,
she had not moved. &ldquo;Anything new on this side?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie shrugged; slowly she turned, exposing a face tragic and stony.
&ldquo;I guess you don't think much of me,&rdquo; she said.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; he declared, heartily. &ldquo;This is enough to
frighten anybody. I don't mind saying it has upset me. But the worst is
over.&rdquo; He laid a reassuring hand upon her shoulder.</p>

<p>Allie moved her body convulsively. &ldquo;Lemme be!&rdquo; she cried,
sharply. &ldquo;I don't mind the lightning. I ain't scared of the fire,
either &mdash;hell fire or any other kind. I ain't scared of anything,
and yet &mdash;I'm a dam' coward!&rdquo;</p>

<p>She rose, gathered her loose robe more closely about her, and made
blindly toward the bed. She flung herself upon it and buried her face in
the pillows. &ldquo;Just a&mdash;dam' coward!&rdquo; she repeated, in a
muffled wail. &ldquo;My God, I wish the blaze would come!&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_28">CHAPTER XXVII</a></h3>

<p>Buddy Briskow had difficulty in getting out of the valley on his way
for a doctor, for never had the roads been like this. He drove
recklessly; where necessary he disregarded fences and pushed across
pastures that were hub deep; he even burst through occasional thickets in
defiance of axle and tire. It was a mad journey, like the ride in a
death-defying movie serial; only by some miraculous power of cohesion did
the machine hold together and thus enable him to keep it under way and
bring it out to high ground. Since he had not taken time before leaving
to change into dry clothing, he was drenched to the skin; he was, in
fact, sheeted with mud like the car itself.</p>

<p>To find a doctor, however, was a problem. Buddy tried first one camp,
then another, but without success. Meanwhile, the downpour continued and
the creeks rose steadily, obliging him to make numerous detours and to
follow the ridge roads wherever possible. He was aching in every bone and
muscle from the pounding he had received, his arms were numb, his back
was broken. He drowned his motor finally in fording a roily stream and
abandoned the car.</p>

<p>He came into Ranger that afternoon on the back of a truck horse that
he had borrowed&mdash;without the owner's consent. For a time it seemed
that if he got a doctor at all he would have to follow a similar
procedure, but the Briskow name was powerful, and Buddy talked in big
figures, so eventually he set out on the return journey&mdash;this time
in a springless freight wagon drawn by the stoutest team in town. A
medical man was on the seat beside him.</p>

<p>Progress was maddeningly slow, incredibly tedious; creek beds, long
dry, had become foaming torrents; in places even the level roads were
belly deep and the horses floundered. When one of them fell, it required
infinite labor and patience to get it upon its feet again.</p>

<p>It was after midnight when Buddy and his miserable companion gained
the comparatively easy going of the last ridge, that flinty range beyond
which lay the Briskow farm. Here they drove in the glare of lightning and
under a sky that rumbled almost steadily, for a frightful electric storm
had broken. Here it was that they saw what havoc was being
wrought&mdash;they counted several blazing wells ahead of them.</p>

<p>Buddy stopped at a drilling camp where lights showed the occupants to
be astir, and there he received confirmation of his fears. The flats
beyond were inundated to a depth rendering travel impossible, and
although some of the men stationed out there had managed to work their
way back, others were, for the time being, hopelessly cut off. What was
more alarming by far, in view of these blazing beacons, was the news that
a huge gusher on sixteen was wild and pouring its inflammable flood out
upon the surface of the water.</p>

<p>Buddy stood in the midst of a spreading puddle from his streaming
clothes, and through chattering teeth announced: &ldquo;My sister and Mr.
Gray are out there. I <i>gotta</i> get through!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How you going to get through, kid?&rdquo; one of the drillers
inquired. &ldquo;Our men had to swim in places.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I guess I can swim, if I try. Feller can do 'most anything if
he has to. How about you, Doc?&rdquo; Buddy turned to his traveling
companion.</p>

<p>The latter shook his head positively. &ldquo;You're crazy, Briskow.
We'd probably drown. If we didn't, we'd be burned alive when that loose
oil catches fire.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Looks like it's bound to catch if this lightning keeps
up,&rdquo; some one declared. &ldquo;Listen to that!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy cursed furiously and lurched toward the door. It took force to
restrain him from going.</p>

<p>That was indeed a night of terror in the oil fields, for destruction
was wholesale, and to those who were fortunate enough to be in no danger
it was scarcely less trying than for the luckless ones out in the flooded
area. Buddy Briskow was half demented. At one time it seemed certain that
the surface oil was aflame near his father's farm, and the pictures he
conjured up were unbearable.</p>

<p>The rain ceased with the passing of the electrical storm, but the late
hours of the night were thick and the fires continued to burn. It seemed
as if morning would never come. With the first light Buddy mounted one of
his horses, and, regardless of admonitions, set out. In miles he had no
great distance to go; nevertheless, it was midday before he came in sight
of his father's unpainted farmhouse, and when he dismounted at the front
porch he fell rather than walked through the door.</p>

<p>He broke down and blubbered weakly when he saw Calvin Gray up and
around and apparently well. He collapsed into a chair and huddled there
in a wet heap, the while he sobbed and laughed hysterically. He was
considerably ashamed of his show of feeling.</p>

<p>Even after he had been helped into the kitchen and his wet clothes had
been stripped from him, he could tell little about his trip, but hot food
and drink brought him around and then, indeed, his story was one that
deeply touched the elder man.</p>

<p>Already the waters had ceased to rise, but Buddy's difficulty in
getting through proved the folly of attempting escape for the time being;
his horse had been forced to swim with him in more than one place; in
others he had waded waist deep, stumbling through thickets, hauling the
animal after him by main strength. There was nothing to do, it seemed,
but await a subsidence of the flood. Then, too, the boy was half dead for
sleep.</p>

<p>Under the circumstances it was not easy for the elder man to face this
delay. His affairs were in a precarious condition and more in need of his
immediate attention than ever before; to be cut off, therefore, to be
lost for several days at this particular time was more than a
misfortune&mdash;it was a catastrophe. Such vague plans as he had
considered he was now forced to abandon. He could see ruin ahead.</p>

<p>One purpose this enforced idleness did serve, however; it enabled
him&mdash;nay, it forced him&mdash;to evolve a new scheme of relief. Some
minds become paralyzed in moments of panic, others function with
unexpected clearness and ingenuity, and his was such a mind. An idea came
to him, finally, which seemed sound, the more he thought about it.
Indeed, its possibilities galvanized him, and he wondered why he had been
so long in arriving at it. It was spectacular, daring, it might prove to
be impossible of accomplishment; nevertheless, it was worth trying, and
he could scarcely wait for Buddy Briskow to wake up so that he could put
it to him.</p>

<p>Late that evening, after Allie had gone to bed, he had a long talk
with his young friend, during which he told him more about his affairs
than he had made known even to Roswell, the banker.</p>

<p>Buddy listened with the closest attention. He drew a deep breath at
last and said: &ldquo;I knew you was in deep, but I thought it was just
your way. Now I <i>know</i> it was Nelson's crew that fired our gasser.
Why, they might have cost us thousands&mdash;yes, hundreds of
thousands&mdash;if it had been the kind of a gusher we figgered on!
Say&rdquo;&mdash;the speaker's brows drew together in an angry
scowl&mdash;&ldquo;what ails this Nelson, anyhow&mdash;tryin' to get you
shot, an' firin' your wells, an' everything?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He once did me a great injury.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What kind?&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a pause. &ldquo;I'd rather not go into that now, Buddy. To
repeat what I've been telling you, however, the situation is this: I've
gone as far as I can go with the backing I have, and I must make a quick
turn&mdash;strike one final blow or give up. Nelson and I are like two
wrestlers floundering on the mat. We're both tired, groggy, out of
breath. Whichever one gets the first hold will win, for the other lacks
strength to break it. Do you think your father would trust me? Do you
think he'd go it blind on my say-so?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If he won't, I will. I got money. So's Allie.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray declined this offer with a positive shake of the head. &ldquo;It
must appeal to him on its merits. I wouldn't permit you to go contrary to
his judgment.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Judgment? What's Pa's judgment worth? He knows it's no good,
an' so do we. Everybody's tryin' to do him up but you; you're the only
one he trusts. An' the same here. There's my bank roll&mdash;you can
shoot the whole piece. I don't care if it never comes back. Tryin' to get
you killed! An' spoilin' a well on me!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Thank you, Buddy! You&mdash;make me slow to trust my own
judgment. I &mdash;I seem to be developing a conscience. But I'm sure
this is the thing to do, for you and your father as well as for me.
People can't stand still; they must go forward. The Briskow fortune must
grow or it will crumble.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I dunno if we've got as much in us as you seem to think,&rdquo;
the boy said, doubtfully.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Look at Allie! And, you, too! You took hold of this field work
and ran it like a man. I said you'd make a hand, and you have. The day is
coming when people like you, who went from poverty to affluence
overnight, will retrace that journey. That's the time when the truly
dramatic story of the Texas oil boom will be written. Then will come the
real tragedy, and you mustn't be caught in it. Money isn't a servant,
Buddy; it is a master, and a mighty stern, relentless master, at that.
When your first well blew in, it didn't mean ease and enjoyment, as you
thought; it meant hard work for the rest of your life.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If you'd talked to me like this when I went off to
school,&rdquo; the boy said, after a moment of consideration,
&ldquo;mebbe I'd of made myself swallow some more education, even if I
had to take it out of a bottle along with the little kids.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray smiled. &ldquo;You have common sense, at least, and that's
something you can't get in school. Men wear smooth from contact with one
another, and it is time you got in touch with something bigger than mere
drilling. If you're willing, I'll take you to Wichita Falls with
me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Willing?</i>&rdquo; Buddy's eyes sparkled. Guiltily he
confessed: &ldquo;It's been pretty&mdash;lonesome out here with the
scorpions. But I wanted to show you I could make good.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Do you drink any more?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Haven't touched a drop. I don't reckon I ever will, either. I
don't take to the idea of back-trackin' to this farm an' gettin' old in
overalls, like you say. I'm sort of penurious an' I aim to keep what
little sense I got. A feller as dull as I am can't afford to
drink.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;One thing more.&rdquo; Gray nodded approvingly. &ldquo;I want
you to promise me that you won't fall in love with the first woman you
meet. I'd never be able to lick you again.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Buddy showed his strong, white teeth in a broad grin. &ldquo;I
promise! That boy with the bass voice cured me. I'm goin' to be a
hermit.&rdquo;</p>

<p>News of the damage wrought by the recent storm was naturally of grave
concern to Henry Nelson, but owing to the fact that lines were down,
about his only source of information, during the days immediately
following it, was the press reports. He was reading the Dallas papers
with interest one morning when his attention was arrested by the name of
Calvin Gray. Now Gray's name in print affected the banker almost as
disagreeably as did a sight of the man himself; therefore it was with
intense resentment that he read the article in which it appeared. It was
a vividly written account of the former's experience during the flood,
and, due no doubt to Gray's personal touch, it read a good deal like
fiction. The man had a unique turn for publicity, a knack for
self-advertising that infuriated Nelson. To read this anybody would think
that he was one of the dominant figures in the oil industry, and that his
enterprises were immensely successful. With a sneer Nelson flung the
paper aside. So, that was how it had happened. The well had been
fired&mdash;Henry believed he could account for that&mdash;but a miracle
had quenched the flame. Falling drill stems! Who ever heard of such a
thing? Such luck was uncanny&mdash;enough to give one the creeps. If Gray
were tied hand and foot and thrown into a river, somebody would drag him
out&mdash;with his pockets full of fish! And to be marooned for days in
the midst of a blazing lake &mdash;Damnation! Well, luck like that was
bound to change. It had changed. The note of assurance in this
self-edited story was patently counterfeit, or so Henry told himself, for
surely the fellow must know by this time that his race was run. Probably
this was a desperate effort to secure further backing. If so, it would
fail.</p>

<p>Henry believed that he had weakened his enemy's support so completely
that he would fall of his own weight; he considered it, in fact, about
the cleverest move he had ever made to dispose of a block of bank stock
in such a way as not only to tide him over his own difficulties, but also
to make allies of Gray's associates &mdash;the very men who had been
fighting him. Those men were through with the scoundrel now, and who else
could he appeal to, once they abandoned him? Nobody. No, the ice had been
thin, at times&mdash;Henry had felt it bending under him&mdash;but he was
safe at last. The crossing had been made.</p>

<p>So much accomplished; now that the fellow was down and could no longer
fight back, it was time to see that Barbara Parker learned the truth
about her gallant suitor. The next time Tom Parker came into the bank
Henry called him into his private office and had a talk with him.</p>

<p>Old Tom listened silently; nevertheless, it was plain that he was
deeply shocked.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I s'pose you ain't lyin',&rdquo; he said, coldly, when the
banker had finished.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's a matter of record, Tom. He can't deny it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why did you&mdash;hold off so long?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We're not exactly friends. He foolishly believes that I had
something to do with his disgrace, and he has done his best to injure me.
Under the circumstances, I couldn't very well say anything. I wouldn't
speak now, except for the fact that 'Bob' is interested in him
and&mdash;well, I'm interested in 'Bob.'&ldquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;She's been interested in him from the first. I don't see that
the circumstances are much different than they have been,&rdquo; Tom
said, sourly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Put it down to jealousy, if you wish.&rdquo; Henry was
impatient.</p>

<p>&ldquo;And I don't know as 'Bob' ever encouraged you to
think&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Perhaps not. But she is the only woman I ever saw that I'd make
Mrs. Nelson.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What was it he did?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;'Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman' is the way the
record stands. That covers a lot.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did he welch&mdash;quit under fire?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Steal something?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Woman scrape?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There was&mdash;a woman concerned. Pretty nasty mess, Tom. He's
the sort of man to intrigue any foolish woman. Women can't see
far.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I s'pose so.&rdquo; Mr. Parker rose stiffly. &ldquo;But we
don't have to worry about 'Bob.' She ain't foolish and her eyesight is
good. She's got more sense than all three of us men.&rdquo; With this
noncommittal remark the father limped out.</p>

<p>But Tom was more deeply troubled than he had shown. Nothing to be said
against a man could have weighed more heavily with him than this
particular charge. To a man of his type dereliction of duty was a crime;
dishonorable discharge from the army of his country was an appalling
indictment implying utter moral turpitude. Tom had known more than one
fellow who was guilty of conduct unbecoming a gentleman&mdash;as a matter
of fact, he had reason to respect certain of them for some of their
ungentlemanly conduct &mdash;but conduct unbecoming an officer was
something altogether different. He had never met but one such, and he had
shot that fellow just above the bridge of the nose. A traitor to his oath
of office, a man who could dishonor his state, his country, was worse
than a renegade; his name was a hissing upon the lips of decent people.
Scalawags like that were not to be tolerated. It seemed incredible that
Gray could be one.</p>

<p>Yes, and &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; liked the fellow&mdash;but so did he, for
that matter. In great perturbation of spirit Tom consulted Judge
Halloran.</p>

<p>The judge listened to him in astonishment; angrily he cried:
&ldquo;The idea of his paying court to 'Bob'! The insufferable insolence
of it! Why, I consider it a personal affront.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Where do <i>you</i> come in to get all het up?&rdquo; Tom
growled.</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>What?</i>&rdquo; Halloran's irascible face reddened.
'&ldquo;Where do I&mdash;'? My God! Haven't I&mdash;? Don't I stand in
<i>loco parentis</i> to the girl?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You ain't as <i>loco parentis</i> to her as I am. She's my son.
Trouble is, I like Mr. Gray. You don't think Henry could be
lying?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He wouldn't dare. It is too serious. No, Tom, there's just one
thing to do; you and I will go directly to the scoundrel, tell him we are
aware of his infamy, and order him out of town. Ha! That's the way to go
about it; cut deep and quickly. Tar and feathers are too good
for&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Trouble is,&rdquo; Tom repeated, with a reluctant sigh,
&ldquo;I like him and I ain't sure&mdash;&rdquo; &ldquo;The trouble is
you're a weakling!&rdquo; Halloran snapped. &ldquo;You are
a&mdash;sentimentalist. You lack my stern, uncompromising moral fiber.
<i>Like</i> him? Pah! What has that to do with it? I have no weakness, no
bowels of compassion. I am a Spartan. I am&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're a damned old fool&mdash;if you think you can run
<i>him</i>. He's liable to run you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Judge Halloran was furious at this; he was hurt, too. He sputtered for
a moment before managing to say: &ldquo;Have it your own way. You are
trying to be unpleasant&mdash;not that it requires conscious
effort&mdash;but I won't argue with you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't! I hate arguments. That's why I don't like to talk this
over with Mr. Gray. When I'm mad enough to argue I'm mad enough to fight,
and I fight better than I argue.&rdquo;</p>

<p>If, indeed, Calvin Gray's affairs were in a condition as precarious as
Nelson believed, he showed no signs of it when he returned to Wichita
Falls. On the contrary, he was in an exultant mood, and even on the train
young Briskow, who accompanied him, was amazed at the change that had
come over his friend. With every mile they traveled Gray's buoyancy
increased and upon his arrival he trod the street to his office like a
conqueror. McWade and Stoner, who came in for a conference with minds
preoccupied and faces grave, left with a smile and a jest.</p>

<p>When they had gone, Gray rose with relief and surprised Buddy by
saying: &ldquo;That's enough for now, thank goodness! Business is only
one side of life, my boy. You are going to make this city your home, so
you must begin by meeting the right people, the influential people.
Nicest people in the world right here, Buddy; nicest place in the world,
too!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Now to a youth who, for months, had been immured in the oil fields,
Wichita Falls did indeed resemble a city of marvelous portent. Pavements,
large buildings, bright lights, theaters&mdash;Buddy was thrilled. He
prepared himself for introduction to oil operators, to men of finance
sitting in marble and mahogany offices; he made ready to step forth into
the big world.</p>

<p>Great was his astonishment, therefore, when after a swift walk Gray
turned into a tiny frame insurance office on a side street. Funny place
to look for people of influence, Buddy cogitated.</p>

<p>A girl was seated at a desk; she rose at sight of Gray, and her face
broke into a smile. Her greeting was warm; her hand lingered in his; for
the moment neither of them seemed to remember Buddy's presence. When she
did hear his name, however, her face lightened and she gave her hand to
him as to an old friend. When she smiled at him, as she had smiled at his
companion, Buddy dropped his hat. He had never seen anyone in the least
like this creature and&mdash;she knew Allie! She knew his mother! That
was astonishing. He wondered why they had never said anything about it.
Before she had finished telling him about that meeting in the store at
Dallas, Buddy realized that here indeed was an influential person, a
citizen of supreme importance. He had missed her name, but probably she
owned that Dallas department store, or was the Mayor of Wichita Falls. He
had never before been so embarrassed.</p>

<p>Mr. Gray certainly was a wonderful man. His poise, his air of
respectful but easy familiarity with this&mdash;this angel raised him
immensely in Buddy's esteem. Think of joking, chatting, making pretty
speeches to an&mdash;an angel! That was going some. The gall of it!</p>

<p>They were talking about that big gasser of Gray's; the fire; the
overflow; and the melodramatic occurrences of the past fortnight. Gray
was telling her how Buddy had saved his life at the well, how he had
risked his own, later, in braving the flood, and she was listening with
eager smiles and nods and exclamations. When she turned admiring,
grateful eyes upon the hero of Gray's story&mdash;and the story had been
told in a manner to make Buddy no less&mdash;that youth felt himself
suffocating, burning up. Mr. Gray sure knew how to talk; he could sling
language. And <i>lie</i>&mdash;! Gosh, how beautifully he could lie! It
was splendid of him to exaggerate like this, so as to set him in solid
with the most important person in town. That was noble! People were awful
nice. And this certainly was a grand city. Buddy knew he was going to get
along fine; and he'd never forget Mr. Gray for this.</p>

<p>After a while, when the two men were on the street again, Buddy
inquired: &ldquo;Who is that young lady? I mean&mdash;her
name?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray told him, then with a friendly twinkle: &ldquo;Well, speak out!
What do you think of her?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh&mdash;<i>Gee</i>!&rdquo; Buddy cried, breathlessly,
whereupon his companion laughed in perfect satisfaction.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_29">CHAPTER XXVIII</a></h3>

<p>Gray returned to his desk that morning after his call on &ldquo;Bob"
Parker determined to tackle energetically the numerous business details
needing his attention, but he found that he could not do so. As usual,
his brief sight of the girl, instead of satisfying him, had merely
increased his hunger; made him the more restless, the more eager to see
her again&mdash;alone. He gave up fighting his desires, presently, and
invented the necessity of a hurried trip to the Avenger lease.</p>

<p>Her ready acceptance of the invitation he construed to indicate an
eagerness akin to his own, and during the several hours they were
together he had hard work to keep from breaking his resolve and telling
her all she had come to mean to him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Bob&rdquo; seemed to expect something of the sort, as a matter
of fact. Her shyness, her fluttering agitation when his voice
unconsciously became tender&mdash;and he realized that, in spite of
himself, the tone of his voice conveyed a message quite at variance with
his words &mdash;taxed his self-control to the utmost. Well, it wouldn't
be long now&mdash;another two weeks perhaps! But two weeks is an eternity
when hearts are pounding, when ears are strained and lips are
waiting.</p>

<p>Two callers were awaiting Gray when, late that afternoon, he mounted
the stairs to his office&mdash;Tom Parker and Judge Halloran &mdash;and
something in their formal, awkward greeting sent a quick chill of alarm
through him. Mechanically he ushered them into his private room and
offered them chairs. He heard himself chatting casually enough, but
neither his own words nor theirs conveyed much meaning to him. Nelson, it
seemed, scorned no advantage, however dishonorable. Gray's hatred of the
man attained deeper, blacker depths than ever. To-day of all days! What a
reckoning was due!</p>

<p>The two old men were talking, one lamely supplementing the other's
efforts to lead up to the object of their visit. Gray turned a set face
to Tom Parker finally, and interrupted by saying:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Permit me to ease your embarrassment, sir. You object to my
attentions to your daughter. Is that it?&rdquo; Tom dropped his eyes and
mumbled an uncomfortable affirmative. &ldquo;Not, I hope, because you
question the nature of my intentions?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh no!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'd say yes and no to that,&rdquo; Halloran declared,
argu-mentatively. &ldquo;Tom and I are gentlemen of the old school; we
live by the code and 'Bob' is our joint property, in a way. Any man who
aspires to the honor of&mdash;well, of even paying attentions to that
girl must stand the acid test. There must be no blot upon his
'scutcheon.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You imply, then, that there is a blot upon mine?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That is what prompts our visit, sir. Can you assure us that
there is none?&rdquo;</p>

<p>After a moment of hesitation Gray inquired, curiously: &ldquo;Judge,
do you believe that a man can live down disgrace?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Disgrace, yes. Dishonor, never! A man's honor is so sensitive
that to stain it is to wound it. Like the human eye it cannot suffer the
slightest injury without serious damage.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The younger man ignored the pompous tone of this speech; he nodded.
&ldquo;I see. Someone said also that it is like an island, rugged and
without landing place; and once outside of it we can never re-enter. That
is your idea, I dare say.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Precisely!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tom Parker stirred; irritably he broke out, &ldquo;I'm damned if I
think you did it!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did what?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tom remained silent, but when his companion drew a deep, preparatory
breath, Gray lifted a hand. He rose nervously and in a changed tone
continued:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Again let me speak for you and shorten our mutual distress.
First, however, I must make my own position plain. I&mdash;love your
daughter, Mr. Parker.&rdquo; The declaration came at great cost, the
speaker turned away to hide his emotion. &ldquo;I think&mdash;I hope she
is not indifferent to me. I would give my life to marry her and, God
willing, I shall. So much for that.&rdquo; He swung himself about and met
the eyes of first one old man, then the other. Harshly, defiantly, he
added: &ldquo;Understand me, nothing you can do, nothing on
earth&mdash;nothing in Heaven or in hell, for that matter&mdash;will stop
me from telling her about my love, when the time comes. Now then, Henry
Nelson has told you that I was&mdash;that I was sent back from overseas
in disgrace. You want to know if he spoke the truth. He did!&rdquo;</p>

<p>After a moment of silence Judge Halloran said, with stiff finality:
&ldquo;Under the circumstances there is nothing more to talk about. You
amaze me when you say&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I want to know more than if he was just telling the
truth,&rdquo; Tom interrupted, grimly. &ldquo;I want to know if you were
guilty.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That was the verdict of the court martial.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;To hell with that! Innocent men have been hung.&rdquo;</p>

<p>A faint smile softened Gray's face. &ldquo;And guilty men have gone to
the gallows protesting their innocence. Which are you to believe? I made
the best defense possible, but it was insufficient. I have no new
evidence. I would rather endure the stigma of guilt than have you
consider me a liar, and, of course, that is what you would think if I
denied it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Halloran was on his feet now, and evidently anxious to terminate the
interview. &ldquo;There are two sides to every case, of course, and
justice is not always done. However, that really makes no difference in
this instance. The findings of a military tribunal are as conclusive as
those of any court of law, and it is not for us to question them. To
repeat what I started to say just now, I fail to understand how you can
expect us to tolerate your further attentions to Miss Barbara or how you
can persist in your insane determination to ask her hand in
marriage.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Perhaps you'll understand when I say that I propose to clear
myself.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;How? When?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Soon, I hope.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And in the meantime?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray considered this question briefly. &ldquo;In the meantime&mdash;if
you will agree to say nothing to 'Bob,' I will promise not to declare my
feelings, not to see her alone.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's a go,&rdquo; said the father.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mind you, I may fail to right myself. In that event I shall
feel at liberty to tell her the facts and ask her to believe in me
against the world. I trust she will do so. If she loves me as I love her,
she will marry me even though she knows I am a liar and a
blackguard.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Never!&rdquo; Halloran exploded. &ldquo;'Bob' isn't that sort
of a girl.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I hope it never comes to the test.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I hope so, too,&rdquo; the father declared, earnestly.
&ldquo;I'm&mdash;right fond of 'Bob,' and I wouldn't like to see her team
up with a man she couldn't be proud of. <i>I</i> wouldn't take it
easy.&rdquo; Mild as were these words, coming from Tom Parker they had
the ominous effect of a threat.</p>

<p>Without further ado the two old men left.</p>

<p>There was little sleep that night for Calvin Gray, and the days that
followed were a torture. It was a torment to avoid &ldquo;Bob,&rdquo; for
self-denial only whetted his appetite to see her, and those cunning plans
he had laid at the time of their last meeting&mdash;plans devised solely
to bring them together&mdash;he had to alter upon one excuse or another;
he even forced Buddy Briskow to substitute for him. Fortunately, there
were certain negotiations requiring his presence in Dallas, in Tulsa, and
elsewhere, and it some what relieved his irritation to put miles between
him and the city he had come to regard as his home.</p>

<p>The Nelsons' bank was known as the Security National, and it
represented the life work of two generations of the family. Bell's father
had founded it, in the early cattle days, but to the genius and industry
of Bell himself had been due its growth into one of the influential
institutions of the state. Other banks had finer quarters, but none in
this part of the country had a more solid standing nor more powerful
names upon its directorate. Bennett Swope, for instance, was the richest
of the big cattle barons; Martin Murphy was known as the Arkansas
hardwood king, and Herman Gage owned and operated a chain of department
stores. The other two&mdash;there were but seven, including Bell and his
son&mdash;were Northern capitalists who took no very active interest in
the bank and almost never attended its meetings. For that matter, the
three local men above named concerned themselves little with the actual
running of the institution, for the Nelsons, who owned nine-tenths of the
stock, were supreme in that sphere. It was only at the annual meetings
when directors were re-elected&mdash;and invariably they succeeded
themselves&mdash;that they forgathered to conduct the dull routine
business which is a part of all annual meetings. After they had adjourned
as stockholders they reconvened as directors, and again mumbled hurried
and perfunctory ayes to the motions put before them, so that Bell could
the more quickly get out his bottle of fine old Bourbon, the one really
ceremonious procedure of the day. The Security National was as
conservative, as rock ribbed, as respectable, and as uninteresting as any
bank could well be, and its directors were always bored when election
time came around.</p>

<p>In spite of the fact that the program this year was as thoroughly cut
and dried as usual, the day of the meeting found both father and son
decidedly nervous, for there were certain questions of management and of
policy which they did not wish to touch upon, and their nervousness
manifested itself in an assumption of friendliness and good fellowship
quite unusual.</p>

<p>Senator Lowe, the bank's attorney and secretary, was arranging his
minute books, his reports, and his miscellaneous papers, Martin Murphy
was telling his latest story, when a knock came at the door to the
directors' room. Bell himself answered it, but his protest at the
interruption died upon his lips when he beheld Calvin Gray, Gus Briskow,
and the latter's son, Ozark, facing him.</p>

<p>Gray spoke sharply, and his words fell with the effect of a bomb, at
least upon Bell and Henry, for what he said was: &ldquo;We are attending
this meeting as stockholders, and we came early to enable the secretary
to record the necessary transfer of our shares.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Disregarding the president's gasp of astonishment, the speaker pushed
past him and entered, then introduced himself and his companions to the
other men present.</p>

<p>Henry Nelson experienced a sick moment of dizziness; the room grew
black before his eyes. It was Bell who broke out, harshly:</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>Stockholders?</i> Where did <i>you</i> get any stock in this
bank, I'd like to know?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We bought it. Picked it up here and there&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't believe it!&rdquo; Bell glared at the speaker, then he
turned his eyes upon Swope, upon Murphy, upon Gage. &ldquo;Did any of you
sell out?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We don't own enough to make it worth while,&rdquo; Swope said,
dryly. Murphy and Gage agreed. Bell's peculiar display of emotion
surprised them; they exchanged glances. &ldquo;I thought there wasn't any
stock outside of what's owned by our group. What's the idea?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray answered, easily. &ldquo;There is now a considerable amount
outside of that. A very considerable amount.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Henry Nelson made himself audible for the first time, and sneered
angrily. &ldquo;Quite theatric, Gray, this eleventh-hour move. How much
have you got? What's your&mdash;your object?&rdquo; In spite of himself
his voice shook.</p>

<p>&ldquo;My object is purely selfish.&rdquo; Gray's tone was equally
unpleasant. He had expected to create a sensation, and he was not
disappointed. &ldquo;Mr. Briskow and his son are looking for a secure
investment, and I have convinced them of the soundness of your
institution. My operations make it necessary for me to establish a close
banking affiliation&mdash;one where I can ask for and receive
consideration&rdquo;&mdash;his mockery was now
unmistakable&mdash;&ldquo;so where should I turn, except to my friends? I
assume you make no objection to the stock transfer? Very well.&rdquo; He
drew from his pocket a bundle of shares and tossed them across the table
to Senator Lowe.</p>

<p>Henry made his way to his father's side; they withdrew to a corner and
bent their heads together, murmuring inaudibly. Gray watched them with
unblinking intensity; he nodded to Buddy Briskow, and the latter, as if
heeding some prearranged signal, removed his hands from his pockets and
stepped farther into the room. He, too, watched the agitated pair.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why&mdash;look here!&rdquo; the secretary gasped, after a
moment or two. &ldquo;This&mdash;this gives you control!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Bell Nelson raised a stricken face. &ldquo;Control?&rdquo; he
repeated, faintly. &ldquo;<i>Control</i>?&rdquo; He strode to the end of
the table, and with shaking hands he ran through the sheaf of neatly
folded certificates. &ldquo;Sold out, by God!&rdquo; He fell to cursing
certain men, the names of whom caused Swope and Murphy and Gage to prick
up their ears.</p>

<p>Gray was still staring at the junior Nelson; it was to him more than
to the father that he spoke: &ldquo;Sold out is right! It came high, but
I think it was worth the price. We intend to vote our stock.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;By that I infer that you're going to take the bank
over&mdash;take its management away from Bell and Henry?&rdquo; Bennett
Swope ventured.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Naturally.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The elder Nelson voiced an unintelligible exclamation.</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's a pretty rough deal. Bell has put his life into it. It
is an&mdash;an institution, a credit to the community. It would be a
misfortune if it fell into the hands of&mdash;into the control of
somebody who&mdash;&rdquo; The ranchman hesitated, then blurted forth,
angrily: &ldquo;Well, I don't like the look of this thing. I want to know
what it means.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll tell you,&rdquo; Henry cried, unevenly. &ldquo;I'll tell
you what it means. Persecution! Revenge! Hatred! I quarreled with this
man, in France. He's vindictive; he followed me here&mdash;tried every
way to ruin me&mdash;cost me thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Father and I were&mdash;we were pinched. We had to realize some quick
money to protect our oil holdings&mdash;offsets and the like&mdash;and we
sold a lot of our stock with the understanding that we could&mdash;that
we would buy it back at a higher figure. We only borrowed on it, you
might say&mdash;hypothecated it. We thought we were dealing with friends,
but&mdash;<i>Friends</i>! My God!&rdquo; The speaker seized his head.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The stock was not hypothecated. You sold it,&rdquo; Gray said,
quietly, &ldquo;and we bought it in.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is all a personal matter, a grudge.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is that true, Mr. Gray?&rdquo; Swope inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Substantially. But I'm waiting for Colonel Nelson to tell you
more; to tell you the whole story of our antagonism.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Martin Murphy, who had been a silent onlooker up to this point, made
himself heard. &ldquo;Mr. Gray, I don't like the look of this any better
than Swope does. Your quarrel with Henry is wholly your and his affair,
but the welfare of the Security National is partly ours. Banks are not
toys, to be juggled and played with in mischief or in spite. You say you
paid high for your stock; do you intend to wreck the institution, lose a
fortune&mdash;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;By no means.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's precisely what you will succeed in doing.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I had ventured to hope that you three gentlemen would remain on
the board.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Am I dreaming?&rdquo; Bell Nelson's collar appeared to be
choking him, and with clumsy fingers he tugged at it. &ldquo;Going to
kick Henry and me off the board, eh? Rob us? Well, I'm damned if you do!
You'll not kick us off&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He doesn't want the bank,&rdquo; the son exclaimed, hoarsely.
&ldquo;That's all a bluff. He wants blackmail. That's the kind of man he
is. He wants his price. I know him. How much, Gray? What'll it cost
us?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll tell you what it will cost&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ha! Didn't I say so?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, there is a price for everything! Mine will surprise you,
however, it is so low. Can't you guess what it is?&rdquo; The speaker's
intent gaze had never left Henry Nelson's face; it was fixed there now,
as cold, as relentless as the stare of a python.</p>

<p>Bell Nelson leaned forward, his lips parted, a new eagerness came into
his purple countenance. &ldquo;Well, well! What is it?&rdquo; he
demanded, querulously.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Vindication!&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a moment of silence. &ldquo;What is he talking about,
Henry?&rdquo; Bell's eyes were strained toward his son.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't know,&rdquo; the latter said, in a thin voice.
&ldquo;He's crazy &mdash;always was.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm giving you a chance, Colonel. You'd better take it. Think
carefully.&rdquo; When there came no response to this warning, Gray
shrugged. &ldquo;Very well! There is nothing further, except to complete
the transfer and proceed with the business of the meeting. Mr. Briskow
will be the next president, and I shall occupy the position of
vice-president and treasurer now held by you&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>The effect of this declaration was electric. With a cry the younger
Nelson lunged forward. Confusion followed. It was of short duration,
however, for Henry found himself locked in the arms of the Briskow giant.
Others lent Buddy their assistance, and, in spite of his struggles, the
vice-president was flung backward upon a deep leather divan. He rose
unsteadily, but, meeting Buddy's threatening gaze and realizing the
impossibility of getting past him, he cried: &ldquo;Let me out of here!
Let me out, damn you! I &mdash;I'll get you for this, Gray. Let me out, I
tell you!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buddy!&rdquo; Gray jerked his head in the direction of the door
to one of the adjoining offices. &ldquo;He keeps a gun in his
desk&mdash;top drawer. Get it before me makes a fool of himself.&rdquo;
Young Briskow stepped out of the room. Gray continued, speaking to the
others, &ldquo;I have something to say to you gentlemen before we go on
with the meeting, and I wish to say it in the presence of Colonel Nelson
and his&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'll not keep me here. I refuse to stay,&rdquo; Henry
shouted, and he pushed past Swope toward the door.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Wait!&rdquo; It was the elder Nelson speaking, and in his voice
was a new note&mdash;a note of triumph. &ldquo;Stock can't be transferred
at an annual meeting. It has to be done in advance&mdash;ten days, I
think it is. Am I right, Senator?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That is the usual procedure,&rdquo; Senator Lowe agreed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Better look it up and make sure,&rdquo; Gray directed.</p>

<p>There followed a few moments of uncomfortable silence while the bank's
attorney ran through the by-laws. It seemed to those waiting that it was
a long time before he frowned and shook his head.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I&mdash;ah&mdash;I can find nothing against it. It seems I have
nothing to do except transfer the shares.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then there won't be any meeting!&rdquo; Bell loudly
declared.</p>

<p>The three directors greeted this remark with exclamations of genuine
relief. &ldquo;Sure! Let's adjourn&mdash;put it over until&mdash;&rdquo;
one of them began, but the bank's president was bellowing in rising fury
at the interlopers:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Get out! Get out of my office, d'you hear? Get
out&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Looks to me like it's <i>my</i> office,&rdquo; Gus Briskow
said, quietly, &ldquo;or it will be, directly. You, Bell, put on the
muffler! I came a long ways to attend this meetin'. It's the first one I
ever been to, an' it's goin' to happen. Shut up your fuss! I want you to
hear what Mr. Gray's got to say.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;To hell with him, and you, too!&rdquo; stormed the financier.
&ldquo;Hold the meeting, eh? Hold it if you dare! I defy you. Steal my
bank, double-cross me&mdash;We'll see about that. Come along,
Henry.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're in,&rdquo; Gray said, menacingly; &ldquo;you'd better
stay and vote your stock or you may never get back again.&rdquo; But
neither father nor son heeded him. When they had gone he frowned.
&ldquo;I'm sorry. Really I am. I hoped I could force&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I think we'd better go, too,&rdquo; some one said. &ldquo;This
is too extraordinary&mdash;We're in no frame of mind to go
ahead&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I must insist that you remain long enough to hear me out. You
have no right to refuse. There is something you <i>must</i> be
told.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll admit I'm curious to know what the devil it all
means,&rdquo; Murphy, the lumberman, confessed; &ldquo;but I don't know
that I should accept an explanation from you. Not after Henry's
accusations. I've known him and Bell for years&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I respect your friendship for them, and I sha'n't expect you to
put trust in my words. It seems to me, however, that you owe it to that
friendship to hear me. This incident has taken a turn wholly unexpected,
and, I must confess, disappointing. I looked for a different
outcome&mdash;hoped I'd be able to force an explanation&mdash;&rdquo; The
speaker shook his head and frowned again, perplexedly. When, after a
moment of indecisive murmuring, the three directors seated themselves,
Gray thanked them with a bow. &ldquo;I'll be as brief as possible, and if
you don't mind I'll stand as I talk. I'm in no mood to sit. I'll have to
go back a bit&mdash;&rdquo; It was several seconds before he resumed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;When it became evident that the United States was going to war,
I managed to get in at Plattsburg and took the officers' training course.
It was easy for me to complete that course, because I had served in the
Spanish War and had kept up my interest in military affairs. Something
convinced those who ought to know that I possessed qualifications of
unusual value to the country&mdash;a wide business experience at home and
abroad, a knowledge of languages perhaps&mdash;anyhow, I was called to
Washington. There I met Henry Nelson&mdash;a valuable man, too, in his
way. We were commissioned at the same time and sent overseas on the same
ship to engage in the same work&mdash;military intelligence. I didn't
like the job, but it was considered important, and naturally I couldn't
pick and choose. Of course it was secret, confidential work. No need of
going into that here.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nelson's and my duties were identical, our authority was equal;
we were ordered to work hand in hand, and although we were commissioned
together, technically, he outranked me owing to the fact that he was
given his commission a moment before I got mine.</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's where the trouble started. We clashed, even on
shipboard. He proved himself to be authoritative, overbearing; he
immediately assumed the position of my superior officer. I'm not a mild-
tempered man, but I put up with it, figuring that our paths would soon
separate. But they didn't. When we arrived in France I tackled my job
with all the energy in me; I tried for results. Nelson, I discovered in
time, was concerned only in taking entire credit for all that he and I
and the whole organization under us accomplished and in advancing
himself. I worked; he played politics.</p>

<p>&ldquo;You are not military men, so I sha'n't bore you with army terms
or technical details, but&mdash;by one means or another he managed to
intrench himself in a position of actual authority over me not at all in
accord with our purpose or our instructions. I swallowed my resentment,
for it seemed rather petty, rather selfish, in a time like that, to
divert my attention from the important work in hand to quarrel with him.
You understand? Then, too, he was not making good and I was, and I
thought time would surely cure the trouble. He must have appreciated my
feelings&mdash;nevertheless, he persisted in abusing his powers; he began
finally to really interfere with me, to call me off of important tasks
and humiliate me with futile assignments, and I realized that I was
threatened with failure through his meddling. This may sound trivial to
you&rdquo;&mdash;the speaker raised his eyes to his
audience&mdash;&ldquo;but, take my word for it, there were many instances
of the kind over there. Jealousy, intrigue, malevolence, petty spite,
drove more than one earnest, patriotic officer to rebellion
and&mdash;ruined many a career.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I rebelled. I had to, or be made ridiculous. I warned him,
privately, as man to man. He ignored the warning. Then I prepared a
complete report showing by the copies of his orders, by the records of
our respective accomplishments, by our correspondence, how he had
systematically and maliciously endeavored to nullify my work
and&mdash;and the like. It was not a pretty report to read. I turned it
in to him for submission higher up.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then it was that he outgeneraled me. He was furious, of course,
but he apologized&mdash;abjectly. He admitted that he had been wrong;
that he had imposed upon me. He promised to play fair if I'd permit him
to withhold the report, and&mdash;I was deceived. No man likes to be
thought a cry-baby. Those were eventful times; personal complaints were
not welcomed in any quarter&mdash;not with the world rocking on its
foundations. I was glad to accept his promises.</p>

<p>&ldquo;For a while we worked in harmony. I became engaged in an
intricate case, having to do with a leak concerning transport sailings
and routes&mdash;a matter involving the lives of thousands of our boys,
millions of dollars in supplies, and I went to Brest, under cover. It had
to be handled with extreme care&mdash;some danger about it, too. A very
interesting case, I assure you. I lived in a house with some of the
people under surveillance. One of them was a woman, extremely
attractive&mdash;thoroughly unscrupulous. My avenue of approach was
through her. Nelson, of course, knew what I was doing; he was about the
only one who did. &ldquo;I worked a long while and I was upon the verge
of success&mdash;it would hare been a real accomplishment,
too&mdash;when, without apparent cause, the gang took warning, scattered,
the whole thing blew up. Months of work for nothing! I had made worse
than a failure this time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You mean to accuse Henry of&mdash;of treachery of that
sort?&rdquo; Swope inquired.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I do. And that's not all. Out of a clear sky charges were
preferred against me. Outrageous charges in which that woman
figured.&rdquo; Up to this point Gray had spoken smoothly, rapidly, but
now his tone changed, his words became hesitant, jerky. &ldquo;I was
amazed! Joke, I called it at first. Sort of a blanket indictment, it was,
charging me with inefficiency, negligence, exceeding my authority,
dishonesty&mdash;and things even worse. Those were some of the least
serious, the least&mdash;nasty. It was all too absurd! Being peculiarly
vain and sensitive, my impulse was to shoot Henry Nelson. But I couldn't
believe the charges would be taken seriously.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, there was an investigation. I was court-martialed. I
disproved a good deal; I think I'd have exonerated myself on every count
only for the woman&mdash;that one I spoke about. She turned the trick. I
was found guilty, disgraced, sent back. Even though you are not military
men, you can appreciate the extent of my dishonor.</p>

<p>&ldquo;There, gentlemen, you have in a few words an unconvincing
summary of a long and complicated story&mdash;one that I detest telling.
However, I could not permit you to sit with me at the directors' table of
this bank without knowing who I am, what I am, and why I have run that
rat into his hole. Colonel Nelson spoke the truth when he said this was
purely a personal matter between us. It is so purely personal that I was
willing to spare humiliation to his father&mdash;leave Old Bell in
control of his bank and end our fight &mdash;if he'd right that old
wrong. But you heard him refuse. So they must both fall. He said I've
been persecuting him&mdash;&rdquo; Gray smiled grimly. &ldquo;Let me tell
you how. That disgrace cost me my friends, and what money I had, for I
tried long and earnestly to get back, to get a rehearing, to enter the
navy&mdash;anything to re-establish myself. Failing that, I came to
Texas. I came without a dollar, without an acquaintance, and&mdash;began
my 'persecution' of Henry Nelson. I began it by coming here to the bank
and telling him what I was up to. I put him on guard, and we engaged each
other, as the French would say, 'to the death.' I&mdash;won. That's all
there is to the story.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, I'll be damned!&rdquo; Martin Murphy exclaimed.</p>

<p>&ldquo;At least Henry played fair in this; he didn't betray your
secret,&rdquo; Gage said, coldly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I meant to tell you that he didn't dare betray me, for he,
too, came back in disgrace. The pot couldn't very well talk about the
kettle.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>What</i>?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Henry Nelson?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Impossible!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I mean exactly what I say. No man of his type could have lasted
over there. Then, too, the story of our quarrel leaked out, that old
report of mine turned up&mdash;Yes, he got the same medicine he gave me.
But he had influence in Washington, and he managed to delay final action
almost up to the day of the armistice. Even then he succeeded in pretty
well covering up the reason for his dismissal.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, even Bell doesn't know that!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Henry's been a terrible hero, hereabouts,&rdquo; said Gus
Briskow. After a moment he addressed the other men. &ldquo;Mr. Gray told
me this, an' I wanted him to tell it to you. I dunno what you-all think
of his story, but I know him an' I believe every word of it. What's more,
I believe this bank is goin' to be run as well as ever it was even if I
am president. A man can be president an' stay at home, if he's got folks
under him that know more than he does. What d'you say if we start that
meetin' we been talkin' about? I'm willing to see Mr. Gray settin' in
yonder at Henry's desk if you are.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I don't see that it makes much difference whether we're willing
or not,&rdquo; Swope confessed. &ldquo;You have the votes, between you,
to do about as you choose.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course we have, but, with Bell an' Henry gone, it seems like
some of their neighbors ought to stay an' look out for what potaters
they've left in the ground. What d'you say?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Swope eyed his companions briefly, then he nodded. &ldquo;We'll
stay.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then, Mr. Secretary, let her go!&rdquo;</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_30">CHAPTER XXIX</a></h3>

<p>One morning, several days after the annual meeting, Gus Briskow opened
the door between his and Gray's office and inquired,
&ldquo;Busy?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The new vice-president of the Security National raised a preoccupied
face to the new president and said: &ldquo;I'm never too busy to talk to
you. What is it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nothing! I'm just kinda lonesome; kinda tired of lookin' bright
about things I don't savvy.&rdquo; Gus seated himself and crossed his
thin legs. &ldquo;Folks give an owl credit for bein' wise just because he
keeps his mouth shut. Prob'ly he's got nothing of interest to
say.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Perhaps. But you can say 'no,' Gus, and that's about all the
average banker is called upon to say.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Um-m!&rdquo; The elder man nodded reflectively. &ldquo;I heard
about a captain of industry that allus smelled a pink when he did his
heavy thinkin'. Now me, I'm goin' in for bananas. I keep a bag of 'em in
my desk. I'most killed myself on bananas when our first well came
in&mdash;never thought I'd be able to afford all I wanted. How's the
bank?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, it's still here, as you see.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know. That's the remarkable part. I keep thinkin' it's goin'
to bust&mdash;I mean blow up an' disappear. I wake up nights dreamin'
it's gone. It's all right, is it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Positively! I put an accountant at work on the books and he
should be ready to report any time now.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No chance of Bell Nelson throwin' us out, is there? He's in
Dallas tryin' to stir up money&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not a chance, unless you want him to do so; unless you're
afraid we'll make a failure of the business.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;<i>We?</i>&rdquo; Gus smiled quizzically. &ldquo;<i>You</i>
won't fail. Folks around town are talkin' about how quick you're takin'
hold, an' they're beginning to think you'll make a better banker than the
Nelsons. Funny, ain't it, how easy reconciled folks is to losin' a coupla
prominent citizens like that? Looks like Bell an' Henry are about the
only ones that take it hard.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The funny thing is&rdquo;&mdash;Gray frowned,
perplexedly&mdash;&ldquo;they <i>don't</i> take it hard. At least, Henry
doesn't appear to do so. That's what puzzles me. No move of any
sort&mdash;That's not like him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gus agreed to this. &ldquo;I been expectin' him to cut some capers.
That's why I been hangin' around so steady.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I know.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Every time I peel a banana I peel an eye for Henry. I worry
whenever you go out alone.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The younger man rose and nervously paced the floor. &ldquo;I'm
completely mystified,&rdquo; he admitted. &ldquo;The whole affair has
been a great disappointment to me. I thought I'd sprung a coup,
but&mdash;I'm at a standstill. I'm stumped&mdash;checkmated.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;About that trouble between you an' him, eh? Why, we took your
word for that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Unfortunately, that didn't help me very greatly. Other people
aren't so easily convinced as you and Swope and Gage and Murphy.
Damnation! I thought my troubles were over.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, your money troubles is over&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;They're the smallest part. I'd go back and start all over again
if I could clean up that&mdash;that army record. It's a pretty flat
triumph.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Humph! Most triumphs is. A feller has a dream&mdash;a longin',
an' he bows his back an' works his life away tryin' to realize it. If he
does, the chances is he's disappointed. He finds he's kep' his back bent
so long he can't straighten it. Look at me&mdash;pore as dirt an'
scarcely enough to eat! I used to pray for a miracle; pray for money
enough to do something for Ma an' the children&mdash;for a thousan'
dollars. Here I am, president of a whole bank, but Ma's sick, Allie's
miserable, an' I can't sleep nights for fear I'll lose what I
got!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Poverty wouldn't have helped Ma's health&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, I ain't sayin' I'd trade!&rdquo; Gus wagged his sandy head.
&ldquo;I get my shoes shined every two hours because that bootblackin'
stand is a nice place to look at the bank from. I set there an' tell
myself I'm president of it! But that's the biggest dividend I've got, so
far&mdash;five shines a day an' all the bananas I can eat. 'Flat' is the
word.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray smiled affectionately at the speaker. &ldquo;At least Buddy is
happy. He's reaping his dividends, if I'm any judge.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I figger he's in love again.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Good heavens!&rdquo; Gray paused in his restless pacing and
turned an expression of almost comic dread upon the father. &ldquo;With
that woman, eh? Well, I refuse to interfere again. I haven't fully
recovered from his first infatuation for her.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I can tell the boy's symptoms. I felt the same way when I was
courtin' Ma. I acted just like him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He has been trying to tell me something for a week, but I've
been too busy and too worried to listen.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Briskow's kindly face had settled into graver lines when next he
spoke. &ldquo;You prob'ly wonder why I take it so easy. Well, I remember
what you told me once about judgin' people I don't know. Mebbe Allie was
right, too, when she said a little genuine happiness is worth all it
costs. Anyhow, if Buddy wants that woman, I won't say a word. She's
turned out pretty good, an' people speak well of her. Buddy's a man, an'
some men just <i>have</i> to get married&mdash;the sooner it's over, the
better for 'em. He's like that. But what's more 'n all that, love between
two young people is a pretty sacred thing, an' when old folks keep
interferin' it seems to me they're settin' themselves up to be wiser than
God. Ma's folks didn't care much for me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I feel a rebuke in your words,&rdquo; Gray said; &ldquo;and no
doubt I've earned it, for it has always been my weakness to rearrange the
lives of those I love. But&mdash;who am I, after all? If I were so
divinely wise, why is my own life what it is? When I marry, perhaps I
shall have to ask B&mdash;ask the girl to ignore in me things as&mdash;as
disagreeable to think about as those which Buddy will have to ignore in
Margie's past. That boy, in fact all you Briskows, have put me so deeply
in your debt that I'm afraid I shall have to conquer my meddlesome
instincts.&rdquo; The speaker looked up suddenly. &ldquo;You'll never
know, by the way, how deep is my debt of gratitude. When a vainglorious,
supersensitive man finds himself under a cloud, it is pretty nice to know
that there is somebody whose faith is unshakable; somebody who needs no
legal proof that he's&mdash;Proof! Here I am, back again right where I
was when you came in; back to my own selfish concerns. I can't get away
from them. What to do next? The Nelsons are on their last legs. The loss
of this bank will certainly destroy what credit remained, and even a good
well now would scarcely tide them over. But&mdash;damn it, Gus, I can't
kick a man if he refuses to stand up! I can't beat a corpse!&rdquo;</p>

<p>There came a rap at the door, and the accountant whom Gray had put to
work upon the bank's books entered. &ldquo;I'd like to talk to you about
this report,&rdquo; the man began.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't go,&rdquo; Gray said, as Briskow unfolded his legs and
rose.</p>

<p>But the president of the Security National shook his head, saying:
&ldquo;Bookkeepin' is all Choctaw to me. I saw one statement an' I
thought 'liquid assets' meant that bottle of whisky Bell left in his
desk.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Mr. Gray,&rdquo; the auditor announced, when they were alone,
&ldquo;I wish you'd ask somebody else to take this job off my
hands.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Well, somebody else could probably do it better.&rdquo; There
was a pause. &ldquo;I've known Bell Nelson all my life&mdash;&rdquo;
&ldquo;That is why I engaged you. You've been over these books
before.&rdquo; Again there was an instant of silence, then into Gray's
face there flashed a curious alertness. &ldquo;Come!&rdquo; he cried,
sharply. &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm sorry to be the one to&mdash;&rdquo; The auditor shrugged.
&ldquo;If you insist on an explanation, I suppose I shall have to tell
you. Perhaps it's just as well, anyhow. They say figures don't lie, but
you and I know better. I only wish they didn't.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Have you caught them lying, here?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I have. And&mdash;it has made me rather ill. You'd better
prepare yourself for a shock.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was nearly an hour later that Gray telephoned to Senator Lowe, the
bank's attorney, and to Bennett Swope, the latter being the only member
of the board available at short notice. This done, he wrote a note to
Henry Nelson. In spite of his effort to control his hand, it shook when
he signed his name, and on second thought he destroyed the missive. There
is something ominous about the written word. If Nelson grew suspicious,
he'd never come.</p>

<p>Gray stepped into Gus Briskow's office and asked him to call the
former vice-president, first, however, explaining exactly what he wished
Gus to say. The ruse succeeded; then Gray returned to his own office. He
drew a deep breath. Within him he felt a ferocious eagerness take fire,
for it seemed to him that the day of reckoning had come. Henry's behavior
was now easily understandable; the fellow was cringing, cowering in
anticipation of a second blow. Well, the whip was in Gray's hands, and he
proposed to use it ruthlessly&mdash;to sink the lash, to cut to the bone,
to leave scars such as Henry had left upon him. Nor was that his only
weapon. There was, for instance, Old Bell Nelson's honor. If coercion
failed, there were rewards, inducements. Oh, Henry would have to speak!
The Nelson fortune, or what remained for salvage from the wreck thereof,
the bank itself, they were pawns which Gray could, and would, sacrifice,
if necessary. His hunger for a sight of &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; had become
unbearable. Freedom to declare his overwhelming love&mdash;and that love
he knew was no immature infatuation, but the deep-set passion of a
full-grown man&mdash;was worth any price he might be called upon to pay.
Yes, Henry would speak the truth to-day or&mdash;for one of them, at
least, there would be an end to the feud.</p>

<p>Gray, too, kept a revolver in his desk. He removed it and placed it in
his pocket.</p>

<p>Buddy Briskow chose this, of all moments, to thrust his grinning
visage into the door and to inquire, &ldquo;Got time for me now, Mr.
Gray?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Not now, Buddy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;When?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why&mdash;almost any other time.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wouldn't bother you, but it's important and I&mdash;I
promised a certain party&mdash;&rdquo; The youth's face reddened, his
smile widened vacuously.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Later, if you don't mind.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was plain that Buddy did mind; nevertheless, he withdrew.</p>

<p>When Swope and Lowe arrived, Gray could with difficulty restrain
himself from blurting out the reason for his urgent summons, but he
contented himself by asking them to wait in the president's office.</p>

<p>Henry Nelson entered the bank with his head up, with a contemptuous
smile upon his lips and an easy confidence in his bearing. His hand was
outstretched toward the knob of Briskow's door, when the one adjoining
opened and, from the office he himself had so long occupied, Calvin Gray
spoke to him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Please step in here, Colonel.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Nelson recoiled. &ldquo;No, thank you!&rdquo; he said, curtly.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Briskow and I are amateur bankers; there is a matter upon which
we need your advice.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Indeed? Finding it isn't as easy to run a bank as a drilling
rig? He said you were out, otherwise&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Will you come in?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Stiffly, reluctantly, as if impelled by some force outside of himself,
Nelson stepped within, but he ignored the chair that was proffered
him.</p>

<p>Gray closed the door before saying: &ldquo;The deception was mine, not
Briskow's. You prefer to stand? Um-m&mdash;I appreciate your feeling of
formality. I felt a bit ill at ease on the occasion of my first call
here, when our positions were reversed&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If you got me here just to be nasty&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;By no means. Nevertheless, it gratifies my vanity to remind you
that you considered me a braggart, a bluffer, whereas&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I haven't changed my opinion.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;So be it. One matter, only, remains between us. I am about to
ring up on the last act of our little comedy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Theatrical, as always, aren't you?&rdquo; Nelson's lip
curled.</p>

<p>For a moment Gray stared at the speaker curiously; his tone had
altered when he said: &ldquo;You're a better poker player than I thought.
You're almost as good a bluffer as I am. That, by the way, is probably
the last compliment I shall pay you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Come! I've no time to waste.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You will soon have ample time&mdash;if not to waste, at least
to meditate&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo; The query came sharply.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've had an examination of the bank's books. That, as you will
readily understand, explains why I sent for you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why&mdash;no. I don't&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I wondered how you and your father got the money to keep going
so long, for I discovered you were in a bad way even before I turned up.
It is no longer a mystery. When you and he, as directors of the Security
National, lent yourselves money, as individuals, you must have realized
that you were&mdash;well, arranging ample leisure for yourselves in which
to meditate upon the stringency of the banking laws&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Nonsense! That's n-nothing&mdash;nothing serious.&rdquo;
Nelson's ruddy color had slowly vanished; with uncertain hand he reached
for the nearest chair, and upon it he leaned as he continued, jerkily:
&ldquo;Irregular, perhaps&mdash;I'll admit it was irregular,
but&mdash;there's nothing <i>wrong</i> &mdash;Oh, you'll make it look as
bad as possible, I dare say! But you don't understand the circumstances.
Anyhow, father is getting it straightened out; all he needs is time.
We'll be able to handle it, all right. We're good, you know, perfectly
good&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're broke! Everybody else knows it, if you don't.
'<i>Irregular</i> '! Ha! There's a choice of words!&rdquo; The speaker
laughed silently. &ldquo;It is an 'irregularity' that carries with it
free board and lodging at the state's expense.&rdquo;</p>

<p>An incoherent protest issued from Nelson's throat. When next he
managed to make himself audible, his words were such as really to amaze
his hearer. &ldquo;<i>I</i> didn't do it,&rdquo; he cried, in a panic-
stricken voice. &ldquo;It was father's idea! You had us
crowded&mdash;there was no other way. I warned him&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Wait a minute! You blame it on <i>him</i>?&rdquo; Gray's
inquiry was harsh, incredulous. After a momentary pause his lips moved,
but for once he stammered, his ready tongue refused its duty. He
exploded, finally, with an oath; he jerked open a drawer in his desk.
From his pocket he removed his revolver, flung it inside, then jammed the
drawer back into place with a crash. &ldquo;You&mdash;<i>rat</i>!&rdquo;
he exclaimed. He turned his back upon Henry Nelson and made a circuit of
the little room.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It's a thing you and I can easily fix up,&rdquo; the latter
feebly insisted. &ldquo;Now that personal matter of yours&mdash;Perhaps I
could help you reopen it somehow, clear it up.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Ah! Indeed!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Give and take, I say. I'm willing to do anything I can,
if&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;There won't be any 'ifs'! No conditions whatever.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is that so?&rdquo; Nelson flamed forth, in a momentary
explosion of resentment. &ldquo;If you think I intend to stand the brunt
of this, you're crazy. I can't afford to figure in a
scandal&mdash;banking scandal&mdash;like this. I'm a young man. Bell has
had his day. He's old. You can hush this up. There are lots of ways to do
that. Keep me out of it and&mdash;and I'll do what's right by you; I'll
do anything you say.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You'll do that, anyhow,&rdquo; Gray replied, in a voice that
grated. He flung himself into his desk chair and, seizing pen and paper,
he began to write rapidly, shakily.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I want to see what I'm signing,&rdquo; Nelson warned. A growl
was his answer.</p>

<p>For an interminable time the only sound in the office was the
scratching of that pen. When at last it came to an end, Gray rose, thrust
the loose sheets into Nelson's hand, then, indicating the vacant chair,
said:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sign that!&rdquo;</p>

<p>The wretched recipient of this curt command read the lines caiefully.
He read them twice, thrice, for his mind no longer functioned clearly. He
raised a sick face, finally, and shook his head.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Wouldn't I be a fool?&rdquo; he queried.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Listen, you&mdash;&rdquo; Gray's body was shaking, his words
were uneven. &ldquo;I'm sorry for Bell, but not for you. I'll never
forget nor forgive what you did to me. Nothing can undo that. Disgrace
clings to a man. You're going to get yours, now, and you can't squirm out
of it, or lie out of it, no matter how you try, for I sha'n't let you.
You're ruined, discredited, blown up, but&mdash;I don't think I want to
send you to the penitentiary. I'd rather see you walking the streets with
dandruff on your collar. I'd rather keep you to look at. Anyhow, you'll
have to sign that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;If you'll guarantee to keep this bank matter quiet&mdash;if
you'll protect me, I'll sign. Otherwise, you can go to hell. We'll beat
it out, somehow. We can do it.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Inflexibly Gray asserted: &ldquo;I'm going to turn you over, whether
or no. But I'll help Bell get the money to repay those loans. He'll
probably manage to save himself and&mdash;save you, too.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I won't do it!&rdquo; Nelson flung down the pen. &ldquo;Not on
those conditions. You can't bulldoze me. It's your day to crow, but, I
warn you, don't push me too far.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray voiced an epithet. It was low pitched, but its explosive force,
the impelling fury back of it, fairly caused the room to vibrate. He was
white of lip, his rage had reached the foaming point.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Don't make me lay hands on you&mdash;choke you into it,&rdquo;
he cried, hoarsely. &ldquo;If you do, by God, I'll finish you!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Like a man fighting some hypnotic influence stronger than his will,
Henry Nelson took up the pen and signed his name waveringly. The next
moment Gray smote the door to Briskow's office a heavy blow and, as it
flew open, he barked:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Come in here! All three of you!&rdquo; He stood aside as Gus,
Bennett Swope, and Senator Lowe entered. &ldquo;Yonder is a statement
which I want you to read and witness. When you've done that, I'm going to
tell you why Henry Nelson signed it. The rest will be up to
you.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was midafternoon. Swope and Lowe had left the bank. Briskow drew a
deep breath and said, with genuine relief: &ldquo;I'm glad <i>that's</i>
over. We can handle the debt between us, an', after all, Old Bell's a
pretty good citizen. As for Henry, I s'pose he'll wiggle out of it,
somehow. I dunno as I'd of been so easy on him if I'd been in your
place.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'll tell you why I was easy on him,&rdquo; Gray confessed.
&ldquo;I'm tired of fighting; I'm worn out. I've won my point, and he'll
carry the sort of load I've been carrying. But there is this difference:
for him there will be no vindication at the end.&rdquo; Taking from his
pocket Nelson's statement, he stared at it, then slowly his face
lightened. &ldquo;I was blind mad at first. I felt as if I couldn't keep
my hands off him. It was such a dirty trick he did me and so reasonless!
He had no excuse whatever for injuring me, Gus. However, I suppose most
quarrels sprout from tiny seeds. Well, I'm square with the game!
I&mdash;I'm afraid, even yet, that it's all a dream. I've wanted to
yell&mdash;&rdquo; The speaker chuckled; the chuckle grew to a laugh.
&ldquo;There's magic in this document, Gus, old boy. I've grown young all
at once.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You needn't of took it so hard. Us fellers would have stood by
you if you'd turned out to be a horse thief. Texas men are like
that.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You proved it. But that wasn't enough. A man's business
associates will frequently overlook a lot more than their wives and
daughters will overlook. There's a certain loyalty that doesn't apply
outside of the office.&rdquo; Gray rose and filled his lungs.
&ldquo;D'you know why I felt this thing so keenly? Why I fought so long?
Of course you don't, for I've held out on you. Fact! I've held out on my
partner&mdash;had a secret from him. Now then, steel yourself for a
surprise. I'm suffering from Buddy's complaint, only ten times
aggravated!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What?&rdquo; Briskow stared up at the animated countenance
above him. &ldquo;You thinkin' about gettin' <i>married</i>?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm thinking about nothing else. That's what ails me. Why, Gus,
you've no idea what a perfectly charming person I can be when &mdash;when
I can be what I am. I thought I was too old and too blase ever to become
seriously interested in a woman, above all in a girl, but&mdash;Do you
remember when Ma and Allie came to Dallas that first time? Something
happened about then to upset all my ideas.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Briskow's sun-parched face slowly lightened, his bright, inquisitive
eyes grew bluer, brighter. &ldquo;I'm&mdash;mighty glad! I allus
hoped&mdash;&rdquo; He tried to finish his sentence, then shook his head
and murmured, huskily, &ldquo;Mighty glad!&rdquo;</p>

<p>Here was a marvel, a miracle, for which he had never dared even hope.
He thought of Allie and a lump came into his throat. She had reached the
stars. His girl! he would be mighty glad, too&mdash;</p>

<p>Gray was speaking, and in his voice was a new, vibrant quality, a new
vigor. &ldquo;Now you'll know why this is the biggest day of my life; why
I thought those men would never go. I'm shaking all over, Gus. You'll
have to run the bank for a while; I'm too young and irresponsible. I'm
going out to buy a hoop and a jumping rope and a pair of roller
skates.&rdquo; Again he laughed, boyishly; then, with a slap that knocked
the breath from Briskow's lungs, he walked lightly into his own office
and seized his hat.</p>

<p>For a long time the father sat at his big, empty desk, staring,
smiling into space. This would make Ma well. Money wasn't altogether a
worry, after all; it bought things that nothing else could
buy&mdash;stars and&mdash;and things.</p>

<p>From the expressions upon the faces Gray passed in leaving the bank,
he realized that his own must wear a grin; but, in spite of his dignified
effort to wipe it off, he felt it widening. Well, this was his day to
grin; his day to dance and caper. People were too grave, anyhow. They
should feel free to vent their joy in living. Why act as if the world
were a place of gloom and shadow? Why shouldn't they hop, skip, and jump
to and from business, if so inclined? He visualized the streets of the
city peopled with pedestrians, old and young, fat and thin, thus engaged,
and he laughed aloud. Nevertheless, it was a good idea, and when he
became mayor, or perhaps the junior Senator from Texas, he'd advocate
public playgrounds for grown-ups. &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; would help him put it
through. There was a girl who would never grow old. They would grow young
together. He caught sight of his reflection in a shop window and slowed
down his gait, telling himself that pending the time his new idea was
definitely planted it might be well to walk in the old-fashioned manner.
Men of substance, bankers, for instance, shouldn't rush through the
streets as if going to a fire; they shouldn't dash over crossings and
take curbstones as if they were hurdles. It wasn't being done. No reason,
however, why a banker shouldn't throw his shoulders back and walk
springily upon his toes.</p>

<p>When he beheld the familiar painted sign, &ldquo;Tom and Bob Parker.
Real Estate and Insurance,&rdquo; he paused. The mere sight of the little
wooden building, the name, gave him an odd shortness of breath. It was
weeks since he had been here.</p>

<p>He realized of a sudden that he had brought nothing with him; no gift,
not even flowers. But there was enough to talk about. She'd forget that.
What a shower of gifts he would pour upon her&mdash;and upon Old Tom,
too! Good Old Tom! Tom had wanted to believe. Tom and he would be great
pals. They couldn't help being pals with just one thing, between them, to
love; one thing in all the world!</p>

<p>It was a disappointment to find the office empty, except for the
father himself, but Gray began with a rush, &ldquo;Well, I told you I'd
clear myself, and&mdash;here I am, walking on air.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You did it, eh? That's good news.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We had a show-down at the bank. Henry Nelson and I locked horns
and&mdash;But here! Read what he signed. That cleans the slate. He'll do
anything further that may be necessary, officially. Where's
&ldquo;Bob&rdquo;?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;They're fishin' for a bit in one of your Avenger wells. She's
out there.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;So? I'd forgotten.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Did you see&mdash;? Did Buddy have a talk with you? To-day, I
mean?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Buddy? Oh, Buddy Briskow! I saw him for a moment only. She'll
be back soon, I dare say?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tom Parker stirred; it was a moment before he spoke, then it was with
apparent irrelevance that he said: &ldquo;I'm sorry you and he didn't
have a good talk. 'Bob' asked him to see you&mdash;sent him there
a-purpose.&rdquo; The sight of Gray's smiling, eager, uncomprehending
face caused the old man's steady gaze to waver. He cleared his throat.
&ldquo;Buddy's a fine boy.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Finest in the world! I claim responsibility for him, in a way.
He's part mine.&rdquo; Gray laughed; his eyes sparkled.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Him and 'Bob' are out there together. They've been together a
lot, Mr. Gray. Both of 'em young, that-away&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Of course. I knew you'd both like&mdash;&rdquo; Some quality in
Tom's voice, some reluctant evasiveness to his eyes, bore a belated
message to the younger man&mdash;snapped his chain of thought&mdash;dried
the words upon his lips. Into his eyes leaped a sudden, strained
incredulity. Sharply, he cried, &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo; Then,
after an instant, &ldquo;Why did he want to see me?&rdquo; The two men
gazed squarely at each other for the first time. &ldquo;My God!
Why&mdash;that's absurd! I&mdash;I brought him here. He's just a
<i>boy</i> !&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;And she's just a girl, Mr. Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The younger man shrank as if at a blow. He closed his eyes; he raised
a shaking hand to his face, which was slowly assuming the color of ashes.
&ldquo;That's too&mdash;rottenly unfair!&rdquo; he said, faintly.
&ldquo;I brought him here&mdash;made a man of him. Of course he doesn't
know &mdash;&rdquo; His eyes opened; eagerly he ran on: &ldquo;Why, Tom,
it's just the boy and girl of it! Puppy love! You know how that
is.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I didn't notice how things was going till if was too late. We
might as well talk frankly, Mr. Gray. Prob'ly it's well you saw me first,
eh? Well, when I understood where they was heading, I worried a
lot&mdash;after what you said that day, understand? But those two! Pshaw!
It was like they had known each other always. It was like 'Bob's' mother
and me when we first met; her beautiful and fine and educated, and me
rough and awkward. Only Buddy's a better boy than I was. He's got more in
him. I s'pose all womenfolks have that mother feeling that makes 'em
yearn over the unlikeliest fellers.&rdquo; Parker looked appealingly at
his stricken hearer, then quickly dropped his eyes, for Gray's
countenance was like that of a dying man&mdash;or of a man suffering the
stroke of a surgeon's knife.</p>

<p>&ldquo;After all, it's youth. You're a good deal older than 'Bob,' and
I s'pose you sort of dazzled her. She likes you. She thinks you're great.
You kinda thrill her, but&mdash;I don't believe she ever dreamed you was
actually&mdash;that you actually cared for her. You've got a grand way,
you know, and she ain't a bit conceited about herself. Why, I <i>know</i>
she never figgered it that way, because she made Buddy promise to tell
you the first thing; sent him to the bank a- purpose, thinking you'd be
so glad on his account.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then they've&mdash;settled it between them?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Tom nodded gravely. &ldquo;She told me last night. And from the way
she told me, I know it's not just boy and girl love. She's been singing
like a bird all day. And Buddy! He's breathless. I know how he feels. I
couldn't draw a full breath for two weeks after 'Bob's'
mother&mdash;&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gray uttered a wordless, gasping cry. He moved unsteadily toward the
door, then paused with his hand upon the knob. Tom Parker was surprised
when, after a moment, he saw the man's shoulders shake and heard him
utter a thin, cackling laugh. &ldquo;Time is a grim old joker, isn't he?
No way of beating him, none at all. Now I thought I was young,
but&mdash;Lucky I found you here and spared my vanity.&rdquo; He turned,
exposing a face strangely contorted. &ldquo;You won't mention my foolish
mistake, will you? No use hurting the ones we love. You know how we
feel&mdash;fatherly. That's it, fatherly love. I was a silly old fool.
They'll be happy. Young people like that&mdash;&rdquo; The speaker
choked. &ldquo;Young people&mdash;Well, <i>adios</i> , old man!&rdquo; He
opened the door and walked blindly forth.</p>

<h3 align="CENTER"><a name="1_0_31">CHAPTER XXX</a></h3>

<p>Calvin Gray did not return to the bank. He went straight to his hotel
and, as soon as he could sufficiently control himself to do so, he
telephoned Gus Briskow, telling him that he intended to leave town. Then
he began mechanically to pack his bag. He moved like a man in a trance,
for the blow had fallen so suddenly as to numb him; his only impulse was
to escape, to hide himself from these people who, of a sudden, had become
hateful. His city of dreams had collapsed. The ruins, as they lay, meant
nothing as yet, for his mind refused to envisage them and he could see
them only as they had stood. He groped amid a hopeless confusion of
thought&mdash;at one moment bewildered, piteously hurt, at the next
suffering a sense of shameful betrayal. He had grown old and dull and
feeble, too, and for the time being he was incapable of feeling the full
force of a strong man's resentment. This surprised him vaguely.</p>

<p>Soon, however, like kindling fires among the ruins, his fury rose
&mdash;fury at himself, at Buddy, at Barbara&mdash;and in the heat of
those scorching flames he writhed. She <i>had</i> loved him. He'd swear
to that. He had swayed her, overpowered her; he had lacked only the
courage to trust his instinct. Coward's luck! It served him right. He had
held her in his arms and had let her slip through; her lips had been
raised to his, and he had refused to press them. Imbecile!</p>

<p>He groaned; he tore the collar and the tie from his neck, for they
were choking him. Old, eh? Too old! That was the grimmest jest of all,
for at the mere thought of Barbara's lips unruly forces took possession
of him; he experienced a fierce, resistless vigor such as he had never
felt in his younger days. It was a dreadful, an unappeasable yearning of
soul and body, and when the paroxysm had passed, it left him weak. He
sank into a chair and lay there stupid, inert, until again those fires
began to lick at him and again he twisted in dumb agony. Buddy Briskow!
Buddy, of all people! That lout; that awkward simpleton, who owed him
everything! But Buddy was <i>young</i>!</p>

<p>Gray heard himself laughing in hoarse derision. He rose and tramped
heavily around his room, and, as he went, he crushed and ripped and
mutilated whatever his hands encountered. His slow, deliberate, murderous
rage demanded some such outlet. All the while he felt within himself two
conflicting impulses, heard two voices: the one voice shouted at him to
search out Buddy and visit upon him the punishment warranted by a base
betrayal; the other told him jeeringly to lay the scourge upon his own
shoulders and endure the pain, since he had betrayed himself. His mind
was like a battle ground, torn, up-heaved, obscured by a frightful
murk&mdash;he remembered a night in France, a black night of rumbling,
crashing terror, when, as now, the whole world rocked and tumbled. Some
remnant of self-control induced him to lock his door and pocket the key,
for Buddy might come. He probably would look him up, all grins and smirks
and giggles, to tell him the glorious news, to acclaim the miracle. That
would be too much.</p>

<p>One thing was certain, there was no safety except in flight,
ignominious, cowardly flight... After all, how could Buddy have known? He
was a good boy, and he had shown his love, his loyalty, in a thousand
ways. Gray hated him at this moment, but, more bitterly even, he hated
himself. It was fate.... He fell to cursing aloud, but there was no
relief in that, and again the appalling irony of the situation silenced
him. He had deified himself, set himself upon a high place, bent men and
affairs to his own ends, until he had acquired a godlike belief in his
power to accomplish all things. His victory had been complete. He had won
all&mdash;except the one thing he most desired, the very fruit of
victory.</p>

<p>Some time later he heard Buddy come whistling merrily down the hall
and knock at his door. Gray cowered in his chair, listening in breathless
dread until the footsteps retreated. When he rose he moved about
stealthily.</p>

<p>When night came he took his bag and slunk out of the hotel, for it
seemed that men must surely know what a fool he had made of himself. It
would have been a relief to feel that he was leaving never to return; but
even that was denied him, for, after his first panic, the truth had come
home. He could not run away. He had forged chains for his own limbs. Like
a tethered mustang he could plunge only to the end of his rope.
Friendship, again! There was simple, trustful, faithful Gus Briskow. And
the bank. God, what a mess things were in! Gray knew he would have to
return, have to see &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; and Buddy day after day, month
after month, and the prospect was too distressing to dwell upon. Again
his mind grew weary, baffled; he experienced a wretched physical
illness... Where to go, where to hide until his sickness had passed? That
was the question.</p>

<p>For the first time he appreciated the full extent of his loneliness;
his utter lack of resource in a crisis like this. Most men, however
solitary, lay by material things for themselves, build homes and surround
themselves with personal possessions from which, or amid which, they can
gain some sort of solace in times of trial. But he had not fashioned so
much as a den into which he could creep and lick his wounds. Once he had
left his hotel room behind him he was in the open and without cover. Not
a single soul cared whether he came or went, not another door stood ajar
for him. And he had planned so much upon having a home, a real
home&mdash;But he could not trust himself to think much along that line;
it induced an absurd desire to weep at his plight. It made him feel like
a child lost in a wood. That was silly, just an emotional reaction;
nevertheless, the impulse was real and caused him to yearn poignantly for
human comfort.</p>

<p>He thought of Ma Briskow, finally. She was human; she had a heart. And
Dallas was a sort of homey place; anyhow, the bellboys at the Ajax knew
and liked him. That was probably because he had tipped them handsomely,
but what of that? If they'd be kind to him now he'd tip them more
handsomely than ever. Lonely men&mdash;old ones &mdash;must expect to pay
for what they get. He bought a ticket to Dallas.</p>

<p>Ma Briskow's eyes were dim; nevertheless, she saw the change in Calvin
Gray when, late the following afternoon, he came to see her.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Land sakes!&rdquo; she exclaimed, in a shocked voice. &ldquo;Pa
never said you was ailin'. Why, Mr. Gray!&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I'm not really ill,&rdquo; he told her, wearily, &ldquo;just
old. I've had a bad night.&rdquo; Seating himself beside her couch, he
took her hand in his and made her tell him all about herself. He had
brought her an armful of flowers, as usual, and extravagant gifts for her
adornment&mdash;giving, it seemed, was his unconscious habit. While she
admired them with ecstatic &ldquo;Ohs!&rdquo; and &ldquo;Ahs!&rdquo; he
busied himself with bowls and vases, but Ma noted his fumbling
uncertainty of touch and the evident effort with which he kept up his
assumption of good cheer. She told him, finally:</p>

<p>&ldquo;Something mighty bad has happened to you, Mr. Gray.&rdquo;</p>

<p>He gazed at her mutely, then nodded.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Is it something about the&mdash;the Princess of Wichita
Falls?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Yes, Ma.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Tse! Tse! Tse!&rdquo; It was a sympathetic cluck. &ldquo;Was
she a wicked princess?&rdquo; The query was gently put, but it deeply
affected the man. He tried to smile, failed, then like a forlorn little
boy he came and bowed his head beneath her hand.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I knew you'd understand, Mother Briskow, so I&mdash;I ran to
you with my hurt, just as I used to run to my Mother Gray.&rdquo; After a
while he continued in a smothered voice: &ldquo;She isn't a wicked
princess. She didn't mean to hurt me and&mdash;that's what makes it hurt
so deep. She tumbled the old duke's castle down upon his head; tumbled
the old duke out of his dreams. He isn't a duke any longer.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;He'll allus be a duke,&rdquo; Mrs. Briskow firmly declared.
&ldquo;He was born that way.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;At any rate, he's a sad old duke now; all his conceit is gone.
You see, he was a vain old gentleman, and his courtiers used to tell him
he was splendid, handsome&mdash;They said he looked as handsome as a
king, and by and by he began to think he must be a king. His enemies
sneered at this and said he was neither duke nor king, but a&mdash;a
mountebank. That made him furious, so he went to war with them, and, by
Jove, he fought pretty well for an old fellow! Anyhow, he licked 'em.
When they fell down and begged for mercy he knew he was indeed a great
person&mdash;greater even than he had suspected and worthy of any
princess in the land.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Pshaw! Ain't a duke higher than a princess?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;No, Ma. Not higher than this princess. Her father made all the
laws. She is very noble and very good. Good princesses are scarce
and&mdash;and so, of course, they're very high. But the Duke of Dallas
didn't stop to think of that. He told himself that he was so strong and
so rich and so desirable that she would be flattered at his notice. He
got all dressed up and went to call on her, and, on the way, whenever he
looked into a shop window, he didn't see the buns and the candies and the
dolls inside; all he saw was his own reflection. It looked so magnificent
that he strutted higher and thought how proud he was going to make
her.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I guess that was the trouble with the old duke all along; he
had never looked deeply enough to see what was inside. Anyhow, what do
you think, Ma? While he'd been off at war conquering people and making
them acknowledge that he was a king, the little princess had fallen in
love with&mdash;with his nephew. Nice boy, that nephew, and the duke
thought a lot of him.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ma Briskow's hand, which had been slowly stroking Gray's bent head,
ceased its movement; she drew a sharp breath.</p>

<p>&ldquo;There happened to be an old mirror in the princess's boudoir,
and while the duke was waiting for her he saw himself in it. He saw
himself just as he was, not as he had looked in the shop windows, for it
was a truthful mirror and it told everything. My! That was a bad moment
for the Duke of Dallas, when he saw that he wasn't young and beautiful,
but old and wrinkled and&mdash;funny. That was bad enough, but when he
looked again and saw the princess whom he loved in the arms of his
handsome nephew, why, he gave up. All his fine garments fell off and he
realized with shame that, after all, he was only the withered
mountebank.</p>

<p>&ldquo;When he got home his castle had collapsed. There wasn't a stone
standing, so he ran away&mdash;ran to his mother.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Oh, Mr. Gray!&rdquo; Ma Briskow quavered. &ldquo;I could cry.
An' after all you done for Buddy!&rdquo;</p>

<p>The man shook his head vigorously, still with his face hidden.
&ldquo;It isn't Buddy. It's youth. Youth needs no fine adornment, no
crown, no victory.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What you goin' to do?&rdquo; she asked him.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Go on playing the duke, I suppose; rebuild the castle the best
way I can. That's the hard part. If I could run away and forget,
but&mdash;I can't. The old duke walled himself in. He must grin and strut
and keep people from guessing that he's only a fraud until he can find a
hole in the wall through which he can creep.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There was a long silence, then Ma inquired: &ldquo;Would you like to
tell me something about the little princess? Sometimes it helps, to
talk.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;N-not yet.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're a duke, an' the best one that ever lived, Mr. Gray. You
can't fool me; I've met too many of 'em. That lookin'-glass lied! Real
dukes an' kings an' such people don't get old. It's only common folks.
There's lots of magic, the world's full of it, an' your castle is goin'
up again.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;After a fashion, perhaps&rdquo;&mdash;Gray raised his head and
smiled crookedly&mdash;&ldquo;but it will never be a home, and that's
what I wanted most of all. Do you think I'm very weak, very silly to come
to you for a little mothering?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;That's the kind of children mothers love best,&rdquo; the old
woman said, then she drew him down to her and laid her cheek against
his.</p>

<p>&ldquo;There! I've made you cry,&rdquo; he exclaimed, reproachfully.
&ldquo;What a selfish beast I am! I'll go now.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Won't you stay an' have supper with Allie an' me? We're awful
lonesome with Pa gone. Allie's out som'er's, but&mdash;it would do me
good to know you was here an' it 'll do you good to stay. You can rest
yourself while I take my nap.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Ma Briskow did not wish to take a nap, but she knew that Gray needed
the solace of his own thoughts just now, so, when he agreed, she sent him
downstairs.</p>

<p>First balm, indeed, had come to the man; the smart was less intense.
To put his trouble into words somehow lightened it; then, too, the
grateful knowledge that some warmth of sympathy was his made it easier to
bear. But it remained a cruel burden. That gentle, dreamy soul up yonder
could not know how it hurt. How could she understand, for instance, what
it meant to go back and face the deadly dull routine of a life from which
all zest, all interest, had fled? A routine broken only by moments of
downright torture. Yes, and the effort it would take to smile! God! If
there were only some way to break his fetters, slip his gyves!</p>

<p>Gray's brain, like his body, had grown tired and feverish. To be sure,
little more than a day had gone by since he had sallied forth like a
knight, but it seemed a year, an age, and every hour brought a new and
keener distress. He found it possible now, for the first time, to relax a
bit physically, so he closed his eyes and lay back in an easy chair while
the twilight stole in upon him. Sooner or later his mind, too, would
cease its torment, for pain distils its own anodyne. Then he would sleep.
It would be a blessing to forget for even an hour, and thus gain strength
with which to carry on the fight. But what a useless battle it was! He
could never win; peace would never come.</p>

<p>He heard Allie enter the house, but he did not stir. He would have to
put on the mask soon enough, for, of course, she must never suspect, on
Buddy's account. The room, which had grown agreeably dark, was suddenly
illuminated, and he lurched to his feet to find the girl facing him from
the door. She was neither startled nor surprised at his presence, and
when he tried to smile and to greet her in his accustomed manner, she
interrupted him by saying:</p>

<p>&ldquo;I knew you were here.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;So? Then Ma is awake again?&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie shook her head vaguely. &ldquo;I knew you were here the minute I
came in. I can 'most always tell.&rdquo; There had been a shadow of a
smile upon her lips, but it vanished; a look of growing concern crept
over her face. &ldquo;What's the matter? Whatever has happened, Mr.
Gray?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Why, nothing. I was feeling tired, worn out. Indulging myself
in a thoroughly enjoyable fit of the blues.&rdquo; His voice broke when
he tried to laugh.</p>

<p>Allie uttered a quick, low cry, a wordless, sympathetic sound. Her
dark eyes widened, grew darker; she came forward a step or two, then she
halted. &ldquo;Would you rather be alone?&rdquo; she asked. He signified
his dissent, and she went on: &ldquo;I know what the blues are like. I
sit alone in the dark a good deal.&rdquo;</p>

<p>She busied herself about the room for a few moments, straightening
things, adjusting the window shades. Allie had the knack of silence,
blessed attribute in man or woman, and to Gray's surprise he found that
her mere presence was comforting. She startled him by saying,
suddenly:</p>

<p>&ldquo;You're hurt! Hurt badly!&rdquo;</p>

<p>He looked up at her with an instinctive denial upon his lips, but,
realizing the futility of deceit, he nodded. &ldquo;Yes,
Allie.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The girl drew a deep breath, her strong hands closed, harshly she
said: &ldquo;I could kill anybody that hurt you. I wanted to kill Buddy
that time. Is it those Nelsons? Have they got you down?&rdquo; There was
something fierce and masterful in Allie's concern, and her inquiry
carried with it even more than a proffer of help; she had, in fact, flung
herself into a protective attitude. She suggested nothing so much as a
lioness roused.</p>

<p>&ldquo;No, no! It is nothing like that. I merely fooled
myself&mdash;had a dream. You wouldn't understand, my dear.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Allie studied him soberly for a moment. &ldquo;Oh yes, I would! I do!
I understand perfectly. Nobody <i>could</i> understand as well as I
do.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;I've been hurt, too.&rdquo; She laid a hand upon her breast.
&ldquo;That's why I sit in the dark.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;My dear child! I'm sorry. Gus said you were unhappy, but I
thought it was merely&mdash;the new life. You're young; you can forget.
It's only us old ones who can't forget. Sometime you must tell me all
about it.&rdquo; The girl smiled faintly, but he nodded, positively:
&ldquo;Oh, it's a relief to tell somebody! I feel better already for
confiding in Ma. Yes, and your sympathy is mighty soothing, too. It seems
almost as if I had come home.&rdquo; He closed his eyes and laid his head
back.</p>

<p>Allie placed her hand upon his forehead and held it there for a moment
before she moved away. It was a cool and tranquilizing palm and he wished
she would hold it there for a long time, so that he could sleep,
forget&mdash;</p>

<p>Allie Briskow went to her room, and there she studied her reflection
in the mirror carefully, deliberately, before saying: &ldquo;You can do
it. You've <i>got</i> to do it, for he's hurt. When a girl is hurt like
that, it makes a woman of her, but when a man's hurt it makes him a
little boy. I&mdash;I guess it pays to keep on praying.&rdquo;</p>

<p>It was perhaps a half hour later that Ma Briskow heard a sound that
caused her to rise upon her elbow and listen with astonishment. It was
the sound of low, indistinct, but joyous singing; it came from Allie's
room. Allie singing again! What could have happened? Slowly Ma's face
became wistful, eager. &ldquo;Oh, Mister Fairy King!&rdquo; she
whispered. &ldquo;Please build up his castle again. You can do it.
There's magic in the world. Make him a duke again, an' her a queen, for
yours is the power an' the glory for ever an' ever. Amen!&rdquo;</p>

<h2>THE END</h2>


<p align="center"><img src="/pga-australia.jpg" width="80" height="75" alt=""> </p>

<p align="center"><b>This site is full of FREE ebooks - <a href="http://gutenberg.net.au" target="_blank">Project Gutenberg Australia</a></b></p>
<hr align="center" width="40%">

<!-- ad goes here -->


</body>
</html>
