The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-06-02
lcontInued From Yesterla,l

Please don't joke. You have be.
come quite a famous character. and
u the stories hear are true"
The stories one hears are never
true, have my share OF physical
courage, perhaps: that's a common.
elementary virtue, like generosity.
gratitude. sympathy The most
mediocre people are blessed that
way
"oh! Generosity and gratitude are
divine qualitiesg"
Gray shook his head positively.
"Impulsesl Heart impulses, not
brain impulses. They have nothing
TO 10 with character. Now I'm
deathly afraid OF one thing"
What, prayG"
"Rldiculel You see. I'm egottstical
and oStentatious. oh. very Dis.
gustingly vain. in fact. II / were
amuses others. and that takes the
unconscious OF il. Ia be unbearable,
but IL amuscs mo as much as Il
curse of OF IL. am delighted At
some OF my own antics. love to
swagger and l adore an audience,
but 20 be laughed at by others would
Kill me. Ridicule, Scorn! I'm in
sensible 20 anything except those
You're queer man"
Gray's gaze became fixed. there
was peculiar hght-almost a Slit.
term his eyes. he talked on as II
voiclng some engroSsing thought.
''of course. I'm vindictiye-thats a
part OF the swashbuckllng character,
It goes with the rutnes. the jack
boots. and the swagger. II rs a
luxury OF which am extremely
jealous" Bringing his>attention back
To the girl, he smiled and his man.
ner changed abruptly. There, I've
proven il all by talking about my,
self when I'm interested only in
YOU. However. II Is sometimes easier
10 sell thing by frankly deeryiug
II than by covering up It's bad
points. and I'm trying desperately
10 make a good impression upon
YOU. Now then. I'm tremendously
interested in what YOU have told me
about yourself. and I'm sure you are
a better oil man--Oii girl-than you
have led me TO suppose. But these
are no Times FOR social pleasantries.
We are living in bedlam. There is
nothing in the air but business
oil-profits. You are business
woman. and II we are to become as
well acquainted as I hope We will.
tt must be the result OF a common
business interest. So. then. for a
bargain. l am going to enter this
f,eld IN large way; II you will take
me for client. win buy and sell
thru you whenever possible. Per
laps we can even speculate togeth.
sr now and then, I'll guarantee
you against less. What do you
say
''Why--it's splendid opportunity
for me. Aud know of some good
things; I'm overlooking with iufor.
nation. in fact For instance
Barbara hurriedly produced her oil
nap and. showing aside the dishes
he table. There is a wild cat
going down out here that looks aw.
fuzzy good As she indicated a
tiny circle. marked into the corner
OF one square. Gray noted that
there was a dimple at the base Of
her finger. The scouts don't think
much OF It. but happen TO know
IL Is on a structure and has a
good showing OF oil. The driiler is
a friend of mine. and he has told
me that his casing Is set. He'll zip
me off when he intends TO drill
thru. and IL you like we'll 20 out
there and see what happens. II i,
comes In, IL win mean big play
on surrounding property: prices will
double, treble Ny theory Is this
Gray's head was close to the
speakers. but. altho he pretended
10 listen to her words and to follow
the tracings Of her finger with stu.
dious consideration. in reality his
attention was fixed upon the tan.
TALKING curve OF her smooth cheek
and throat. In some perplexity OF
spirit he asked himself why IL was
that mere proximity to this wholly
sensible and matter-offact young
creature filled him with such a
vague yet pleasurable excitement.
He realized that he was not easily
thrilled; feminine beauty. feminine
charm were nothing new. neverthe.
less at this moment he experienced