Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-13
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH

is written up in the papers as a noted
soldier of fortune and financier, and
becomes acquainted with the leading
bankers.-Now go on with the story.
/ "HAT evening, when Calvin Gray, for
mally and faultlessly attired, strolled
- into the Ajax dining room ne was con-
scious of attracting little attention. For
on ething, few of the other guests were
in evening Dress and also that article in
the Post, which he had read with a curious
ly detached amusement, had been of
nature to excite general notice.
| It's first results were prompt IN coming
Even while the head waiter was seating
him. another diner arose and approached
! him with a smile Gray recognized the
fellow instantly-one of that vast army of
casuals that march through every active
mans life and disappear down the avenues
| of forgetfulness.
After customary greetings had been ex-
| changed, the newcomer, CoverIy by name
| explained that he had read the Post article
not five minutes before, and was delighted
to learn how we'll the world had used Gray.
| He was dining alone; with alacrlty ne
accepted an invitation to join his old friend,
and straightway he launched himself upon
the current of Renaissance. In answer to
Gray's inquiry, he confessed moderately
enough:
'I'm the V. P of our biggest jewery
house, and business is great After their
order had been given, he recited in greater
detail the nature of his success
| Gray was Interested. "Texas is boom
| ing he said, at the conclusion of the story.
| "I'm told the new oil towns are something
| like our old mining camps"
Except that they more The same
excitement, the same quick fortunes, only
quicker and larger. Believe me, it's fine
| for the jewelry business. Look here"
Coverly drew from his pocket letter writ
| ten in a painfully cramped hand upon
| cheap notepaper, and this he spread out for
his companion to read. There's an exam
| pie in point"
The letter, which bore the Ranger post
mark, follows:
DEERE SIR-your store has bin reko-
mend to me for dimons and [ want some
for my wife and dauter Send me prices
on rings of large sises.
yours truely,
"GUS BRISKOW."
''Um-m! Who is Mr.. Briskow?"
Coverly shrugged Probably some hester
who never saw a hundred dollars all in
one place until recently"
I'm heavens name, introduce me to the
opulent Gus Briskow."
81 wish I might But don't expect to
make his acquaintance. The head of our
firm is away and I haven't a man I'd dare
trust to send out into the field" Coverly
sighed regretfuIly. Tough luck! Too bad
you're not a good jewelry saesman?"
KIT AM Gray declared. 81 can sell any
thing. AS for damonds-I've bought
enough in my time to know their
value"
Coverly laughed in read agreement with
this statement Cad! I'm sore at miss
ing this sale"
I'm not joking. If it's worth while
pack up your saffron solitafres-all that
you dare trust me with-and I'll be your
gentlemanly representative"
Worth while? Good Lord I'd prob
ably get ten-thousand-dolar order!'
Very well. It's settled Gray's de-
cision had been quickly made. Opportunity
had knocked-he was not one to denv her
admission, no matter how queer her garb
Where does Mr. Briskow Liver" he in
CURED
''Out beyond Ranger, somewhere But"
I'm going to visit that field, anyhow
This will give an excuse
Nonsense! This jeweler did not like to
have fun poked at him. For some time he
refused to take the offer seriously, and even
when his host insisted that he would enjoy
the lark, he expostulated why, the idea is
ridiculous! You-Calyin Gray, the fnancer,
peddling jewelry? Ha! Outside of the fact
that you wouldn't couldn't do it, it's not
the safest thing in the world to carry small
fortune in stones through the oil f1elds.''
'Of course, you insure it against theft?"
That's the point. We can't. Have you
ever heard of high jackers?' That's the
H.
the country is full of them.
Excellent There no longer is any ques-
ton about my going Gray announced firm
ly. 81 am bored; I am stale; thrill, of
whatever sort, would stir my blood"
Don't be silly How could I pay you if
you did go?"
'Um-m!" This idea, it seemed, had not
occurred to Mr.. Gray. 1t plain that
money meant nothing to him.
"You see? We couldn't permit"
81 have it. Well divorce friendship and
sentiment entirely from the discussion and
reduce it to a strictly business basis. You
shall ease your conscience by paying my
travelling expenses. The emotional sus-
pense that I undergo shall be my reward.
I'll take my commission in thrills"
This offer evoked light laugh from
Gray's guest. You'd get enough of en-"
he asserted "Ill advance mild one, on
account at this moment. Notice the couple
dining at the third table to your left" Gray
lifted his eyes. What do you see?"
"a rather well-dressed, hard-faced man
and decidedly attractive woman-brunette.
There's suggestion of repressed widowhood
| about her. It's the gown, probably. l am
not yet in my dotage and L had seen her
before [ saw you
"She's living here. I don't know much
about her, but the man goes by the name of
Mallow."
mo thrill yet"
the past month making few purchases and
getting acquainted with some of the clerks.
Wherever I go, lately. there he is. I'll
wager if I took tonight's train for Ranger,
he'd be it,
Calvin Gray turned now and openly stared
| at the object of Coverlys suspicious There
was an alert interest in his eyes you've
| i