The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-05-18
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ton that nc urOVc 10 the station.
Dismay smote him, however, at
first sight Of the new arrivals. Ma
Briskow rcscmblcd nothing so puch
as one of those hideous "crayon en-
largements' he had seen in farm
houses-atrocitics of an art long
dead.
If the mothers appearance was UNI
usual. the daughters was startling,
what with her size and the arabaric
latitude Of color she had induigcd
herself in. Allcgheny's get-up
screamed.
They were enough to daunt Il
stronger man than Calvin Gray.
these two. He could we'll imagine
the sensation he and they would
create in the lobby of the modish
Ajax. But his FL st surprise WAS
succeeded by gentle pity, for Ma
Briskow greeted him rapturousy.
and in Allcgheny's sombcr eyes he
detected look of mingled suffering
and defiance. Enthusiastically he
took charge Of Mas lunch basket;
against Allies mutercd protest he
dcspolcd her of her bilious, near
leather suitcase.
Allie answered his phone call
about eight o'clock the next morn
ing.
"Rcady for brcakfast?" he in
luircd.
"Why, we ct at daylight" she
told him. in some establishment. Il
been ridin' since then"
Indeed! Putting roses i'm your
checks, CHI? With whom did you
go?''
ooh. one OF the elevator men"
"B-but-" Gray sputtcrcd. deeply
shocked. "Why, Miss Briskow,
they're negroes! gliding with + Mig
ger! My heavens! Where did YOU
go?"
Nowhere. Just up and down"
1t was moment before the man
could speak. then he said. in Il
quccrly rcprcsscd voice: "That is
quite different. III run down and
get bite and Join you in no Time
'SChS awful IuHIy HOl u niVC
any houscwork to do in the morn
ing" Ma Briskow confessed, as they
left the Ajax. "a hotel would spoil
me in no time"
/ couldn't keep her from maxim
up the BEDS Allie announced.
Gray took tho elder woman's hand
in his and scoldcd her gently. Sml-
ingly he lccturcd her on the art of
doing nothing, and voiced some Gle
mental truths about living.
The mother nodded a bit vaguely.
That's kind of like Pa talks. He
sent you this, and says to tell you
it's our first spcndin' spree and act
accordin'." From her pocket ssc
drew a folded check, made out in
blank to Calvin Gray and signed by
Gus Briskow.
$50! l assume that I'm to pay
the bills. Very well. The sky is the
limit, chg"
That's it. OF course, don't need
anything for myself-this dress and
bunnit are good enough--but Allies
got to have new fixin's, from the in
side out. / s'posc her thingsIl eat
up the best part of hundred dol
lars, won't they?' The speakers
look of worried inquiry bespoke a
lifetime of habitual economy.
We're not going to buy what you
need, but what you want You're
going to have just as many pretty
things as tllic."
Mrs. Briskow gasped, she 2olled
her eyes and famed herself; she APP
pealed to Allegheny, but it was evil
dent that the latter had kept her
eyes open and had done some think
ing. for she broke out. passionately:
"You make me sick. Ma! tn take
all Pa can afford and then sunqe to
make us look like other people"
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 rclinquish it, Al
though the woman agreed to his re-
quest he found before long that his
trust in her had been misplaced Not
only did she threaten to take adj
vantage of her customers ignorance,
but also. to Gray's anger, she dis
played poorly yelled contempt for
and amusement at his charges.
For once in his life Calvin GRAY
was at los/, and knowledge of that
fact caused him to chew savagely at
his cigar. Engaged thus, he became
aware of stranger who looked on
at\thc pitifnl comedy without amuse-
ment. She was a pretty thing. Gray
started at her openly and his scowl
vanished. When she moved away,
he made sudden decision, excused
himself and followed her.
He was gratificd at the manner in
which she accepted his GREATNESS
apology for speaking to her.
you can save the reason of II disj
tractcd man and add to the haHpi-
ness of two poor, bewildered women,
if you will" he concluded, earnestly.
ut isn't a funny situation: it's
tragic"
"What do you wish me to do?'
the girl inquired. r.
Its lot to ask, I know, but
won't you help them buy the things
they need and save them from fur
Their humiliation at the hands Of
these highbrow clerks and lowbrow
customers? IL want to punch
somebody in the nose"
| Continued in Our Scxt lssuei