The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-19

no. but III help Bell get the money
to repay those loans. He'll proba-
bly, manage to save himself and
save you, too"
Like "A man fighting some hyp
motto influence stronger than his
will, Henry took up the pen and
signed his name waveringly The
next moment Gray smote the door
to Briskow's office heavy blot
and, as it flew open, he barked:
Come in here! All three of
you!" He stood aside as Gus, Ben
nett ,Swope, and Senator Lowe en-
tered. "Yonder is a statement
which l want you to read and wit
ness. When you've done that, I'm
going to tell you why Henry NcH
son signed it. The rest will be up
to YOU"
1t was midafternoon. Swope and
Lowe had left the bank. BriIkow
drew deep breath and said, with
genuine relief: "Im glad that's
over. We can handle the debt be-
tween us, an after all, Old Bells a
pretty good citizen. AS for Henry,
| s'pose he'll wriggle out of it,
so easy on him if I'd been in your
place"
"1'll tell you why I 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
1noI V'vn hopn Ri hor
is this difference: for him there
will be no vindication at the end"
Taking from his pocket Nelson's
statement, he stared OF it, then
slowly his face lightcned.
"Dyou know why ] 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 a sur
prise. I'm suffering from 'Buddy's
complaint, only ten times aggravat-
ed"
"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 I can be whcn1
when can be what l am. thought
| was too old and too blase ever to
become seriously interested in a
woman, above all in a 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-parchcd face slow
ly lightcned, his bright, inquisitive
eyes grew blucr, brighter, Tin
mighty glad! I allus hoped" He
tried to finish his sentence, then
shook his head and murmurcd,
huskily, "Mighty glad!"
! Here was a marvel, a miracle, for
which he had never dared even hope,
He thought of Allie and 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 was new, vibrant quality, a
new vigor. "Now you'll know why
| this is the biggest day of my life;
why I thought thoje men would
never go. I'm shaking all over,
Gus. You'll have to run the bank
for awhile; I'm too young and ire
sponsible. I'm going out to buy a
hoop and a jumping rope and pair
of roller skates"
When he beheld the familiar
painted sign, "Tom and Bob Parker.
Real Estate and Insurance." he
wooden building, the name, give
him an odd shortness of breath. 1t
was weeks since he had been here.
1t was disappointment to find
the office empty, except for the
father himself, but Gray began with
a rush, "Well, told you I'd clear
myself, and-here l am, walking, on
air" Il
'You did it, Ell? That's good
news"
eve had a showdown at the bank.
Henry Nelson and locked horns
nnd-But here! Read what he sign
ed. That cleans the slate. He'll do
anything further that may be ne
cessary, officially. Where's Bob %
"They're fishin' for bit in one
of your Avenger wells. She's out
there"
$50? I'd forgotten"
did you see? Did Buddy have a
talk with you? Today, mean?' :
Buddy? Oh, Buddy Briskow! l
saw him for moment only. She'll
be. back soon, dare say?"
Tom Parker stirred; it was a mo-
ment before he spoke, then it was
with apparent irrelevance that he
said: "I'm sorry you and he didn't
have a good talk. Bob asked him
to see you-sent him there a-pur-
pose" The sight of Gray's smiling,
eager, uncomprehending face caYs-
ed the old mans steady gaze to
waver. He cleared his throat. Bud
dy's fine boy"
Continued in Our Next Issue)
BUTCHERS BOYS SCHOOL. !