San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-08
CHAPTER xxx.
Age Bows to Youth.

One morning. several days after
the annual meeting, Gus Briskow
opened the door between his and
Gray's office and inquired, "Busy:"
The new vice president of the Sc.
curity National raised preoccupied
face to the new president and said
I'm never too busy to talk to you
What is it?'
NO chance OF Bell Nelson throw.
in US out. is there? He's in Dallas
tryin' TO stir up money"
Not a chance. unless You want
him to do so: unless you're afraid
we'll make failure of the business. y
"We?" Gus smiled quizzically,
"Iou won't fail. Folks around town
are talkin' about how quick you're
takin' hold. an they're beginning to
think you'll make better banker
than the Nelson's. Loolss like Bell
an Henry are about the only ones
that take it hard
THE funny thing is" Gray
frowned. perplexedly - "they don't
take it hard. At least. Henry doesn't
appear to do SO. That's what puzzles
me. No move of any sort That's
not like him."
Gus agreed to this. 81 been e.
pectin' him to cut some capers. That's
why l been hangin' around so steady"
The younger man rose and nervous.
ly paced the floor.
I'D GO back and start all over
again il I could clean up that--that
army record. It's a pretty flat tri-
umph."
''Humph. Most triumphs is. Here
| am, president of whole bank, bu.
Mas sick. Allies miserable. an cam.
sleep nights for fear I'll lose what /
gOt!"
Gray smiled affectionately at the
speaker. AT least Buddy is happy.
He's reaping his dividends, if I'm any
judge"
II figger he's in love again."
Good heavens" Gray paused in his
restless pacing and turned an expires
sion of almost comic dread upon tn?
father. with that woman, Ell? Well
| refuse to interfere again. 1 haven't
fully recovered from his first infatua-
ton for her."
II can tell the boys. symptoms. l
felt the same way when l was court
in Ma. / acted just like him.
''He has been trying to tell M
something for a week. but I've beer
too busy and too worried to listen"
There came q rap at the door. and
the accountant whom Gray had put
to work upon the banks books en-
tered. I'D like to talk to you about
this report" the man began.
Don't CO." Gray said las Briskow
unfolded his legs and rose.
d. 1f hn Saa,,,il -.
National shook his head. saying ::
'Bookkeepin' is all Choctaw to me.
! saw lone statement an / thought
liquid assets. meant that bottle Of
whiskes BEL ,left in his desk" q.
Mr. Gray" the auditor announced.
when they were alone. Il wish you'd
ask somebody else to take this job off
my hands
WHY"
"weil. somebody else could prob.
ably do it better" There was pause.
1--WE known Bell Nelson all my
life"
That is why / engaged you. You've
been over these books before" Again
there was an instant Of silence. then
into Gray's face there flashed a Curl
Gus alertness. Come he cried
sharply. What is it:'
I'm sorry to be the one to" The
auditor shrugged. IF you insist on
an explanation, suppose shall have
TO tell you. Perhaps it's just, as we'll.
anyhow They say figures don't lie.
but you and | know better. | only
wish they didn't"
Have you caught them lying.
here!'
81 have. And-it has made me
rather ILL., You'd better prepare your.
self for a shock"
1t was nearly an hour later that
Gray telephoned to Senator Lowe, the