Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-25
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XV-Continued

CHAPTER XV-Continued
THOR the next two hours Allegheny Bris-
n kow was in heaven. Never had she
- dreamed of anything like this. To have
Calvin Gray alone all to herself-Ma, as
usual, had disappeared-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-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 her
self well. He approved of her-liked her!
God above! And to think that she had con-
templated suicide!
''Where is MAJ" Gray inquired, when the
last gown had been paraded and when Allie
appeared in her riding suit.
"Out with the fairies, I suppose. She
won't tell Pa, or me, where she goes or what
she does-says it's all foolishness."
"Perhaps she will tell me- for believe in
fairies," Gray said, seriously.
Allie smiled at him. 81 reckon she will
Folks tell you most anything you want them
to, I reckon"
This was the busiest hour of the after
noon. 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 plan had
been shaping in his mind and already he
had dropped few words, a hint or two here
and there, that were calculated to stimulate
interest in Allie Briskow.
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 moth
ing in her that needed betterment.
?. Under cover, Gray noted Allies 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.
We've been having supper in our rooms
lately" she told him, when they returend at
dark. you're going to eat with us, ain
aren't you?"
Il am, to be sure, But not in your
ROOM" he declared.
"Id rather"
you'd rather do exactly what would
please me, now, wouldn't your"
Eyes, sir"
"Then run along and put on that dinner
dress that liked best. And tell Ma to look
her prettiest, too. Well not spoil this day"
It was 1880 when Gray, sin evening
clothes, appeared at the Briskow suite. AL
lie told herself there had never been a
man so handsome 50 distinguished, God
like as he.
Allie wore an expensive black lace dress,
sleeveless and sufficiently low of neck to
display her charms "Plain little too
somber," Gray declared. ''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"
Mr.. Briskow entered at the moment, great
ly f1ustered and extremely self-conscious, and
here, certainly, no lack of ornamental
ton 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 gid the lily she
had knotted a Roman scarf about her waist
"a scarf of many colors, of red, of yellow,
of purple, of blue, of orange-a very spec
trum of vivid stripes and it utterly ruined
her
"You said to look my finest" she dubbed,
$50 I done the best I could"
'You are lovely, both of you, but-this is
my party, isn't it? I can do anything
please?" Gray looked from one to the other
in eager inquiry "Then let me fix you my
way Ma Brskow, your face is too sweet,
too gentle to be spoiled. Your charm is in
your simplicity. Here, I have it,
With swift impetuosity he united the scarf
and whipped it from Mas waist. Watch me
now and you'll see I'm right" With his
penknife he cut the threads that held the
chiffon streamer in place and removed it.
"Voila! Even so little, and we see an ador-
able motherly person, richly but unosten-
tatiously gowned. Don't you agree with
me?"
Without pausing for an answer, he wheel
ed upon the daughter Around Allies 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; moment ana
it had been fashioned to suit him.
This proved to be an evening when people
really did turn their heads as the Brlskows
were shown to their table, but for once, AL
lie 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 inyis-
ible.
1t was the sort of situation in which Gray
appeared to best advantage, so he talked in
cessantly during the meal and in key thai
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
About midnight Calvin Gray strOlled out
doors for a breath of fresh air before retir-
ing. He glowed with the consciousness of
worthy deed we'll 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.
Continued Saturday. Renew your 'subscrip-
splendid story.
QUIZ
Any Tri-Weekly Journal reader can
get the answer to any question DuZZling