San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-09

sound in the office was the scratching
of that pen. When at least it came to
an end, Gray rose, thrust the loose
sheets into Nelson's hand. then, indi
eating the vacant chair, said:
Sign that!w
The wretched recipient of this curt
command read the lines carefully. He
read them twice, thrice, for his mind
no longer functioned clearly. He raised
sick face, finally, and shook hiy
head.
Wouldn't / be fool ~ he queried.
Listen, you" Gray's body was
shaking, his words were uneven. I'm
sorry for Bell, but not for you. Ii,
never forget nor forgive what you did
to me. Nothing can undo that. Dis
grace clings to man. You're going
to get yours. now, and you CAM
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, butt don't think want to send
you to the penitentiary. I'd rather
see you walking the streets with dand.
ruff on your collar. I'd rather keep
YOU to look at. Anyhow you'll have
TO sign that" ~. =.
IF you'll guarantee to keep this
bank matter quiet-7if you'll protect
me, III sign. Otherwise, you can go
to hell. Well beat it out, somehow.
We can do it."
Inflexibly Gray asserted: I'm go.
ing 10 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-save you,
too"
Like man fighting soL 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 Of
flee heavy blow and, as it flew open.
he barked:
Come in here! All three of YOU ~
He stood aside as Gus, Bennett Swope.
and Senator Lowe entered. "Yonder
is n statement which / 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"
1t was midafternoon. Swope and
Lowe had left the bank. Briskow
drew deep breath and said, with
genuine relif: Pm glad that's over.
We can handle the debt between us.
an. after all, Old Bells a pretty good
citizen. AS for Henry. / s'pose he'll
wrigsle out of it, somehow. l dunno
as I'd of been so easy on him if Id
been in your place."
I'll tell you why / was easy on
him." Gray confessed. '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" Taking from
his pocket Nelson's statement. he
stared at it, then slowly his face light
ened.
"D'you know why I felt this thing so
keenly? Why l fought so long? OF
course you don't. for I've held out on
you. Fact! I've held out on my
partner-had secret for him. Now
then, steel yourself for q surprise. I'm
suffering from Buddy's complaint, only
ten times aggravated!'
What" Briskow stared up at the
animated countenance above him. You
thinkin' about gettin' married"
I'm thinking about nothing else.
That's what ails me. Why. Gus. you've
no idea what perfectly charming
person l can be when-when 1 can be
what l am. thought was too old
and too base ever to become seriously
interested in woman, above all m q
girl, but Do you remember when
Ma and Allie came to Dallas that first
time? Something happened about
then to upset all my ideas"
Briskow's sun-parched face slowly
lightened, his bright, inquisitive eyes
grew bluer. brighter. 'I'm-mightly
glad. l allus hoped" He tried to
Finish his sentence, then shook his head
and murhured, huskily, Mighty
glad."
Here was a marvel, 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 She would be mighty
glad. too
Gray was speaking, and in his voice