Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-11
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XVI
In Dangerous Waters

was that people couldn't let fellow sleep.
Allegheny Briskow appeared out of no.
where and laid a soothing hand upon his
brow. When she saw the light of sanity In
his eyes, her lace frightened and she cried,
eagerly:
you're coming around all right aren't
you? You mustn't talk. Everything is all
rght-all right, honestly. I'll tell you every
thing, but just you rest now until Buddy
comes" There was magnetism to the girls
touch and comfort in her voice.
1t was some time later that Gray opened
his eyes and spoke in a more natural voice,
saying "How do I happen to be here in
your house, Allie?"
I'VE brought you over at daylight.
Buddy's gone for a doctor. but he'll be
back" The girl averted her face quickly and
moved toward the window.
He ought to be at the welI-putting 1t
out. God! What a sight, / see it YETI
THE well Is out!' Allie returned and
seated hirself beside the bed "You prob
ably won't understand 1t or believe it
can scarcely believe it myself, for its a
miracle. All the same, it is out, shut in
and not much damage done. You're not
ruined, either, for Buddy says they're short
of fuel here, and a gasser this size is worth
good deal-'mOst as much as a fair oil
WE'LL
How can it be shut in? 1t was blazing,
roaring tower of flame. The derrick it.
self was going@'
Il know, but the strangest thing Al
lie spoke breathlessly. LET me do the talk
ing, please. You remember the drill stems
were standing over in one corner? Well, the
fire drove everybody off, of course; there
was no facing it, and they thought sure
they'd have a job-have to send for boilers
and smother 1t down with steam, maybe or
tunnel under, or sOmething-work for days
maybe weeks, and spend fortune. Any
how, they were in a panic, but when the der
rick went down what do you think? That
stack of drill stems fell in such way as to
close the gate valve at the top of the cas-
ing"
It-sounds incredible" The speaker
made an effort to collect himself, he raised
an uncertain hand to his bandaged head
What ails me? I recall lot of things, bus
they're pretty well confused
Allie made knu+vn the nature of the &C
c1dent resulting in Gray's injury, and he
nodded his understanding. $50 Buddy saved
my Hfe!" He smiled. Great boy Buddy!
I'll know better than to mix it with him
again-he learns too quickly
"Oh, 1t was terrible!' I've been $3.50
frightened" Allie Briskow suddenly lost
control of herself, and bowling her head, she
hid her face in the musty patchwork quilt
Hershoulders shook, her whole strong BODY
twitched and trembled. you've been awful
There, there!" Gray placed his hand
upon the girls head; he took her palm in
his and stroked it. "I'm not worth your
tears, child. And, anyhow, I'm all right
again. am, indeed. I'm as well as ever. so
far as 1 can tell. By the way, what set the
well afire?'
Buddy thinks somebody must have
dropped a cigarette when the stampede
came car Inc girl raised her face and wiped
the tears from it.
1t has been raining cats and dogs: the
creek has overlooked and everything is I'M
der water"
Under water? Here? Why, that can't be.
Gray insisted upon rising, and Allie finally
thnn hSa
protest that he was quite able to take care
OF himself, she helped him to the window.
from that position he beheld a surprising
scene.
The Briskow farm lay in flat saucar-
like valley, arid and dusty at most seasons
OF the year, but now a shallow lake the
SURFACE of which was broken by occasion |
FENCES misty clumps of bushes, or the tons
OF dead weeds. The nearest Briskow derrick
was d1mly visible, it's floor awash it's shane
suggestive of the battle mast of sunken
man-of-war
Allegheny Briskow sang while she pre-
pared supper, for the reaction from the
straln OF the last twelve hours was like an
lntoNicatlon. Mr.. Gray was in no further dan
ger; ne was we'll except for a bandaged head
ana some bruises. And he was here alone
with her.
Supper, when the two sat down to it
proved 10 De pleasant meal for the soft
| glow OF the lamp, the warmth from tho
stove, made of the Briskow kitchen a COW
place, while the drumming of the rain over
! mead enhanced their feeling of comfort and
| security. ~
During the night an explosive crash. fol-
| lowed oy loud reverberation awoke Cal
vim gray ana brought him up sitting His
room was lit by white flickers against which
ne saw that the rain still sheeted his win
dows; he fumbled for his watch and found
mat IL was O'Clock. This was q storm in
ueeu' ana De began to fear that his daIus q
HlSnt swell the waters to a danger point
tnereLore ne rose, struck light and dressed
himself Sleep was out of the question, any
how, amid such an uproar AS he stenned
out upon the front porch his attention was
instantly drawn to yellow glow in the
west, distant torch, the flame of which
Illuminated the angry night. He stared at it
| ior moment before he realized it's mean
| ing.
| Hearing an exclamation behind him. Grav
!urheo 10 behold Allie Briskow's dim figure
| in the door.
"Hello!" he cried, excitedly. Did Won
see that? Yonder are two well afire."
| L know. L haven't closed my ewes Won
| can see another from my window" Allie
| snapped the light from a pocket flash unon
cray and, noting that he was only partly
cIao' she urged him to come into the house
Wnen ne ignored the request she Joined
| ing flames " '"o MOUNT
love! That's terrible!" he muttered
LOOK mere" Allie directed the beam of
Aer Hgnt down over the edge of tho norcb
ana moved 1t slowly from side to side The
Su SUI OF the water was not only burdened
MI. MN aenrlS. but also it was thick with oil.
~ just IKE that on the other side That
gusher on sixteen must be wild"
oare say it won't get any worse" GRAY
s%oke win carelessness that he was far
tIom leenng, but his tone did not deceive