The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-02
BEGIN HERE TODAY

I iSi.'' .hS hioot eApSHSlNe HOtci suile
in the city. He is the enemy of
Colonel Henry Nelson, son of Bell
Nelson. banker. Gray falls in love
with Barbara Parker, who buys land
for Nelson and he suggests that
she also purchase land for him. Gus
Briskow, friend of Gray, takes Ma
Briskow and Allegheny, the daugh-
ter, to the mountains. Gray visits
them there. A message comes say
ing that Bud Briskow, the son, has
run away from school and Gray Of
fers to follow him and bring him
home. Gray returns to Dallas to
see Barbara Parker.
NOW GO ON With STORY
During the early dusk Gray re-
turned to the lease, only to find even
the greasy carctaker gone. BY this
time he was decidedly uncomfort-
able, 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 hack
toward the main street.
Before long Gray FOUND himself in
a superheated, overcrowded back
room with a stack of silver dollars
which he scattered carelessIy upon
the numbers Of a roulette table. Rou :
lctte was much eve the oil game
This was good way in which to
kill an hour.
Absorbed in his own thoughts,
Gray paid little heed to those about
him, until 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 burly stranger of I'M
pleasant mien. Gay voiced u good.
natured protest, but the fellow
scowled and refused to acknowledge
his mistake. Noting that the man
was flushed, Gray shrugged and al
Lowed the incident to pass. This
bootleg whiskey from across Red
River was of quality to scatter a
PERSONS eyesight.
For some time the game continued
before Gray fwo.y again, and the
dealer deposited thirty-fivc silver
dollars beside his bet. Again that
sun-browned hand reached forth but
this time Gray seized it by the wrist
With wrench the man under
took to free his hand: he uttered a
threatening oath. The next instant
he was treated to surprise, fol-
Gray jerked him forward and simu,.
taneously his empty palm struck the
tllow binding, a resoundins
smack. Again he cuffed the fellows
face, this time from the other side
When he finally desistcd he
stranger rocked in his tracks; he
shook his head; be blinked and he
cursed, it was moment before he
could focus is whirling sight upon
; his assailant. When he succeeded
it was to behold the latter Earring
at him with mocking threatening
smile.
The drunken man hesitated, he
cast slow glance around the room
then muttering, hoarsely, he turned
and made for the door. He was fol.
lowed by a burst of derisive laugh
ter that grew louder as he went.
Gray was in better mood now
than for several hours; he had vent
ed his irritation; the air had clear.
ed. After 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.
CHAPTER XIX
A Bold, Bad Man
Newtown's eating places were not
appetizing at best, but a meal coulc
be endured with less discomfort b,
day for at such times most of the
flies were on the ceilings. The res
taurant which Gray entered wa
what he had expected; along on,
side ran quick order counter a
which were seated several customers
across it was an Oilcloth-coveret
table, perfectly bare except for ,
revolving centerpiece-on of thos'
silvcrplated whirligigs fitted with 1
glass salt-andpepper shaker, ,
toothpick holder an unpleasant OF
bottle, and cruet intended for vine
gar. Here. facing an elderly man i,
kide gray felt hat, Gray seatee
himself.
When departing customer lef
the door open, the elderly dine
grumbled bitterly at the draugh
and draped his overcoat over hi
bent shoulders.
Most of the counter customer
had drifted out when, without warn
ing, the screen door banged loudl.
open and Gray looked up from hi
plate to see his recent acquaintance
of the gambling table approachin,
He lurched directly up to the tabl'
and stared across at Gray.
slapped my face, didn't your" hi
cried. after a menacing moment.
II did, indeed" the speaker nod
ded. pleasantly.
"You amt going to slap it again
You amt going to slap anybody's-
"What makes you think won't :?
Gray became aware as he spoke tina
his elderly neighbor had raised t.
the intruder, a countenance stampe,
with a peculiar expression of in
cerdulity, almost of anger, at tn
interruptions.
That which occurred next CAM
unexpectedly. The stranger whippe,
out from under his coat a. revolver