The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-15
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watch the oil field operations of
Colonel Henry Nelson of Dallas,
whom Gray hates. Gray loves Bar
bara Parker, daughter of Tom
Parker. Gus Briskow strikes oil
and Gray helps the family I'd adapt
themselves to better way of liv-
ing. Allie, the daughter, adores
Gray and to Bud, the son, he is a
hero. Gray brings Bud from the
oil fields for visit to Dawson.
Henry Nelson tells Tom Parker that
Gray has been dishonorably dis
charged from the army Because
Gray loves Barbara her father goes
to consult with his friend, Judge
Halloran. .-.
NOW GO ON WITH STORY
When they had gone, Gray rose
with relief and surprised Buddy by
saying: That's enough for now,
thank goodness! Business is only
one side of life, my boy. You are
going to make this city your home,
so you must begin by meeting the
right people, the influential people.
INCEST people in the world right
here, Buddy; incest place in the
world, tool"
Now to youth who, for months,
had been immured in ,the oil fields,
Wichita Falls did indeed resemble a
city of marvellous portent. Pave
ments, large buildings, bright lights,
theaters-Buddy was thrilled. He
prepared himself for introduction to
oil operators, to men of finance sit
ting in marble and mahogany Of
fees; he made ready to step forth
into the big world.
Great was his establishment,
therefore, when after swift walk
Gray turned into tiny frame in
surance office on side street.
Funny place to look for people of
influence, Buddy cogitated.
A girl was seated at desk; she
rose at sight of Gray, and her face
broke into smile. Her greeting
was warm; her hand fingered in
his; for the moment neither of them
seemed to remember Buddy's pres
ence. When she did hear his name,
however, her face lightened and she
gave her hand to him as to an old
friend. When she smiled at him, as
she had smiled at his companion,
Buddy dropped his hat. He had
never seen anyone in the least like
this creature and-she knew Allie!
She knew his mother! He had miss
ed her name, but probably she own
ed that Dallas department store, or
was the mayor of Wichita Falls He
had never before been so embarrass-
ed.
Mr.. Gray certainly was wonder
full man. His poise, his air of re-
spectful but easy familiarity with
this-this angel raised him i'm
mensely in Buddy's esteem. Think
of joking, chatting, making pretty
speeches to an angel! That was
going some. The gall of it!
After while, when the two men
were on the street again, Buddy in
quired: "Who lis that young lady :?
! mean-her name Z!
Gray told him, then with a friend
ly twinkle: "Well, speak out! What
do you think of herr"
"Oh-Gee!" Buddy cried, breath
lessly, whereupon his companion
laughed in perfect satisfaction.
CHAPTER XVIII
\ A Bank Changes Hands
Two callers were awaiting Gray
when, late that afternoon, he
mounted the stairs to his Office
Tom Parker and Judge Halloran---
and something in their formal, awk-
ward greeting sent a quick chill of
alarm through him.
| The two old men were talking, one
lamely supplementing the others
efforts to lead up to the object of
, their visit. Gray turned a set face
to Tom Parker finally, and inter
rupted by saying:
Permit me to ease your embar-
rassment, sir. You object to my at
tentions to your daughter. Is that
it" Tom dropped his eyes and
mumbled an uncomfortable affirma-
tive. mot, l hope, because you
question the nature of my inten-
tions?"
. "Oh mol"
I'D say yes and no to that" Hal
lcran declared, argumentatively
'Wom and l are gentlemen of the
old school; we live by the code and
Bob is our joint property, in way,
Any, man who aspires to the honor
of-well, of even paying attentions
to that girl must stand the acid test
There must be no blot upon his
'scutcheon."
"You imply, then, that there is a
blot upon mine?
Tom Parker stirred; irritably he
broke out, ."I'm damned if l think
you did it,"
did what?" II
Tom remained silent, but when
his companion drew a deep, prepare.
tory breath, Gray lifted hand. He
rose nervously and in changed
tone continues:
"Again let me speak for you and
shorten our mutual distress. First,
however, must make my own posi-
tion plain. love your daughter,
Mr.. Parker" The declaration came
at great cost, the speaker turned
away to hide his emotion. II think