Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-01
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XIV
4 Great TemptatiOn

|
| tmorous he could be in putting her feelings
to the test.
There was more than one well by this
time. Avenger No. two and three and four
were going down, and offsetting the first
Avenger were three of Nelson's rigs. Bob"
studied the situation briefly, then with a
dubious shake of her head, she announced:
'You are taking a big risk, Mr.. Gray"
"You mean these new holes may come
/ dry? OF course, but 1 believe in crowdin g
my luck. I don't know any other WY 20
work.
'You have been lucky, haven't your
She stared at him with detached, inn
personal interest. Everything is coming
your way, even down in the Ranger dis
con, have my share of troubles lost
a crooked hole, recently-had to skid the
derrick and start over. Then pair of chain
tongs was dropped into another hole"
Somebody must have it in for you
When Gray nodded, Bob's face lit up with
surprise. Really. Do you suspect someone
in particular?"
81 know"
you havs e&ways impressed me as IA
man of destiny. think fate has selected you
as an instrument with which to do big
things. That's why I'm always a bit over
aWed by you"
"Overawed?" Gray laughed. ''Why, feel
the same with you. If you knew how little
1 am, how. little it all signifies, except as
it is that I want so much more than oil. or
money, Or
r THOUGHT you were like all the others
here-absorbed only in the game"
II was, at first. had reason to be;
very great reason, [ assure you. Then
saw something far more desirable than for
tune, far more absorbing than-than the
motive that brought me here. Some days,
like today, I think I'm going to win it,
then again [ grow fant-hearted"
Never had he felt Bob to be SO close
to him as on this day, and in consequence
he made of it a festival. He played the low
er with respectful ardor, doubIy thrilling
by reason of its restraint, and that night
it was not Henry Nelson's face that fingered
last III his memory. He wondered before he
fell asleep, if he had acted wisely in let
ting slip his hour. Opportunity has tickle
way of jilting those who ignore her, and
yet-hoW could he speak with honor to him
self?
1t must not be inferred that Henry Mel
son endured with patience the blows that
were rained upon him. On the contrary he
fought back with every weapon he could
lay hands upon, and there were many In
this he was aided by Old Bell, for father
and son were much alike and their friction
had been only such as results from the rub
bling of two hard bodies of identical COM
position; now that they were put under
heavy pressure they adhered and function
ed without heat.
1iOW lAGy I1dHdSeu II DIT all Od11IeQ Graz.
and worried him, too, for he knew that if
ever they turned the corner they would be
safe from him, and his vengeance would fall
TO the ground One big we'll would set them
up, and there was always that danger, for
scarcely week went by without news of
some gigantic gusher. Knowing all there was
to know about their field activities. he set
himself to the task of learning more about
the bank itself and about their method of
inSc
he spent much time at it-time he could i'll
afford, by the way, for he, too had about
exhausted his last resource
He was surprised one day to receive from
Roswell, the banker who had first backed
MIN, an almost peremptory summons to Dali
las. Gray had made much money for Roswell
and his crowd; they were still heavily inter
ested with him, and he was counting upon
their further support The tone of this letter
therefore, gave him a disagreeable shock
On the whole, however, he was glad of an ex-
cuse to CO. for the Briskows had returned
and had bought a home in Dallas and he
was eager for a sight of them
Mr.. Roswell's greeting was quite as cold as
his letter; but he betrayed a keen interest in
the progress Of their joint affairs, and asked
a good many searching questions. Gray an
sWered frankly.
you surprise me-" the banker announced,
finally, for you confirm something | did not
wish to believe. | have just learned that you
are using us to further private grudge and
to ruin reputable man. l couldn't credit
such a statement without"
ut is quite true, except that I haven't used
you Not at least, in the sense you imply"
You have used our money. 1t is the same
thing"
ooh, not at all. I have handled a number
OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. is better word,
for you and your group and I've made a lot of
money for you. That's the most you ex-
pected; that's all | promised"
Legitimate competition is one thing; NAL
ice, double-dealing, is"
Yes l bear malice toward Henry Nelson
and l shall continue to bear him malice long
after have put him in his grave" Ros-
wells startled eyes leaped to the speakers
ACE Exactly! I propose to put him in his
grave, and he knows it."
Nonsense! That's wild talk and you'll re-
sret it. What has he done to you?"
The object of this inquiry shrugged. "a
private matter, purely. AS to double-dealing
is it doube-dealing, to go to an enemy and
EeIl him frankly that you intend to down him
and how you propose to do it?"
Did you do that?"
Il did. What is more, I offered to fight
fair and he agreed. But, of course, he broke
that, as he feels free to break any agreement
when it becomes onerous Improbable. He
began by trying to assassinate me-"
What are you saying?" Roswell cried.
This is increditable."
Grays cigar had gone out; he lighted it
with steady and deliberate fingers before he
said Il am giving you facts. The fighting
has not been all on my side. For instance, 1