Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-04
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH

<fTVE told me everything. He told me
- - charged from the army-cashiered
we used to call it-and that you blame him.
don't mind saying it was shock-worst
I've had in years. In time of war, too! The
army doesn't do that unless-without am
pie Well, Gray, it's damned nasty!'
"Quite the nastiest thing that can happen
to a man." the other agreed in a thin, flat
voice.
Il couldn't, wouldn't believe it."
"There is nothing to say"
mean See here, you're not coward, or a
thief, or an incompetent. What's your side
of the story? What's the explanation?''
Explanations are hateful. The man who
makes them deceives either himself or the
other fellow-usually both. 1t is easy to
be plausible. Would a mere statement from
me, unsupported by proof, convince you
where it failed to convince a court martial?
OF course not
"Hm-m 1t is an embarrassing situation
for me-"
'Indeed?"
Nelson has sold a large block of his
bank stock to one of our directors"
Tell him to get out from under quick"
Gray said, sharply, "for I'll break Henry
Nelson or-Ill kill him!"
Tut, tut! You're excited. You mustn t
talk like that I give you credit for an hon
est hatred, butt can't sympathize with it.
Neither can [ believe so i'll of Henry Nelson
Remember, I've known him and Bell for
years. With complete finality the banker
concluded, You'll have to give it up, Gray"
az beg pardOn?"
81 say we shan't permit you to go on
with this murderous feud. We can't be
parties to it. What you've told me warrants
us in withdrawing support instantly"
Il need your money and your support
now more than ever" the other man graveIy
confessed. Il need it at once; today Never
theless [ sha mt quit"
"You must" Roswell cried, impatiently.
"You can't defy u.s.
'"The devil [ can't" It was Gray's turn
to blaze. "That's exactly what I'm doing.
1 defy you to get your money out. I defy
you to interfere with me in the slightest or
to wiring a particle of mercy out of me.
knew this would come, sooner or later, and
I planned accordingly. What d'you think
am, Ell? I tell you I've got him? Other
wise he'd never squeal about this-army
matter Now then, tell your crowd to try
and pull out! That's not a threat, sir, for
they have played fair with me, and l sha'n't
sacrifice penny of their money-unless
troll. I'm sitting pretty. They can't unseat
me, and 1 warn them not to try
The speaker rose. He hestated, before
leaving, to say: "Your son served with
honor, Mr.. Roswell. I know how you must
feel about this-other matter, therefore
shall spare you the embarrassment of de-
clining my hand"
The financier's face Redeemed; rather
stiffly he said You know whether you
have a right to offer it,
Instantly the departing visitor extended
his palm, and Roswell realized that he had
seldom seen man more deeply moved
Thanks! L 1t is blow to lose your
support, but-nothing can swerve me- Mean
while, I'm glad that we do not part as
enemies
When he had gone, when he had passed
out with head up and shoulders square, the
banker shivered slightly. Audibly he MUIR
INJURED: God, what a man! What a
hatredi"
The Brskows had just moved into their
new home, and the place was still in some
confusion when Gray mounted the steps. Pa
answered the bell in his shirt sleeves and
with claw hammer in his hand for he
mad been hanging pictures. He favored his
visitor with a wide smile of welcome and a
hearty greeting-quite a feat inasmuch as
MS mouth was full of nails-then, having
rid 1t of its contents, he explained
We got a slave that tends the door,
out L amt got gentled up to bells an things
yet. Allies away an Mas layin' down So"
MA isn't ill, L hope?"
Mono. Just ailin'."
You were in luck to find a house in
such smart enighborhood Gus Now show
me around. quickly, for I'm dying to see it
Lord, I'm dyin' to show it to somebody!
We been here most two weeks Say, you'll
Saty an eat supper won't you?"
"Of course I will and breakfast, too, If
you can take care of me-"
"Pshaw! Didn't we take keer of YOU
When you come to the ranch? We got three
nlggers now, just dom the housework I'd
Of bought bigger house of they'd of let
me, but"
1T is large enough. Anything more
would merely add to your cares"
Allie and Ma picked out the furniture
Swell, amt it,"
beautiful" Gray exclaimed Inwardlv
ne Sroaned for although the contents of the
nome appeared to be expensive almost os-
tentat1ous, they nevertheless BETRAYED a con-
sp1cuous lack of taste both in character and
IN arrangement. Here and there were color
combinations SO atrOcious that thew posi-
lively hurt the caller. On the whole. how
ever, the place looked better than he had
expected, and such indications of harmony
and restraint as he detected he attributed to
Allie. 1t was nice enough home and with
little change, a little Encouragement il
could be made attractive even to one of eIe-
CANT tastes. Those changes, of course Gray
determined to make
Allies gone ont to the old farm to get
some stuff for Ma" the father explained in
que time Some pitcher of her an Buddy
when they was little, an rockin' -chair, an
No IaVorlte bedspread, an some other
things she likes"
Gray remembered the portraits, executed
by st. Louis enlargement" concern. They
had wide gilt frames, and were protected
from raVaglng flies by mosquito netting He
noped that Ma would not hang them in the
NAH or the living room. And that rocker.
lor winch she yearned, was probably the one
with the creaking coiled springs-the one
that had leaped after him and clashed it's
Jaws like ALLIGATOR