Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-03
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XVIII
A Welcome Visitor


anything, nevertheless he had followed
his calling faithfully, and the peculiar ext
gencies of that calling had made of him a
light and fitful sleeper.
That small room at the rear Of his office
Barbara had cleared of its dusty accumula-
tions-of its saddles and saddle bags it's
rusty Winchesters, it's old newspapers and
disorderly files-and transformed into a re-
treat for him.
Tom approved of the change after he be.
came accustomed to it, for he was subjected
to fewer irritating distractions there than
elsewhere. 1t his practice to sleep from
$3.50 to II, when Bob" fetched him glass
of orange juice with spike" in It, This
refreshing beverage filled him with new
energy to tackle the issues of the day, and
thereupon began routine as fixed as some
religious ritual. Promptly upon the count
of twenty he emerged from the inner office,
slamming the door theoretically behind him.
Whether Bob" was alone or engaged with
clients, Old Toms air was always the same;
it was that of a busy man weighted with
grave responsibilities. He frowned; he
muttered, hurriedy.
Got to see a man; back in an hour. Any
body calls, tell 'em to wait"
This took him to the front door, which he
also slammed behind him-there being a GER
tain force and determination to the sound
of slamming door. Then he limped down
the street to Judge Hollorans office The
judge usually had the checker-board out and
set when Tom arrived.
This morning Bob was alone at her desk
when he came out, and something about her
appearance caused the old warrior to look
twice.
my goodness! son, you're all dressed up!"
he said as he noted "Bob's" crisp white
dress, the rose upon her BOSOM the floppy
hat that framed her face. Church sociable
som'ers?"
mo, dad"
"You certainly are sweet" Toms bleak.
gray face softened, then some vague regret
peered forth from his eyes. Certainly are
sweet, but"
But what?' The girl smiled up at him.
"Oh, l don't know-seems like you amt
quite the same boy you was You're chang
ing lately, somehow. Getting more like your
mother every week. 1 like that, of course. +"
he said, quickly, "but-Id like awful we'll to
see you in your ranch clothes again. l bet
you've clean forgot how to ride and rope
and"
Try me some time and see," said the girl
Apparently Tom believed there was no time
like the present, for he slid his right hand
under the left lapel of his coat, and when
action Colts revolver in tia massive weaLon
upon the mother-of-pearl handle plates of
which were carved two steers heads.
Lessee you do a few tricks Bob Do
the roll. Remember she don't stand cooked )"
Miss Parker rose to her feet and took
the weapon. She balanced it in her hand
then she spun, it, rolled it, famed it, went
through a routine of lightninglike sleight-
ot-hand that Tom had taught her long be-
FORE
lessee you do a few Shots" her father
urged when she handed it back to him.
"In here?"
"Sure! It's our shanty. Drive few nails
or-I'l tell you; kill that bear and save
that tenderfoot's life" Tom pointed to a
Winchester calendar on the rear wall which
bore the photographic likeness of an enraged
grizzly upon the point of helping himself to
a hunter
"Why, we'd have the whole town runnin'
in"
Reluctantly Tom reloaded his weapon and
thrust it back into its shoulder holster; re-
gretfully he murmured, "Doggone! We
never have any more fun" He turned to-
ward the door.
Where are you going, idad?"
81 got to sec What is it?"
Bob" hesitated. "I wish you'd stay here
I think Mr.. Gray arrived this morning and
I expect him in
Tom decided that he had made Judge
Halloran wait long enough. He should have
been in the old rascals king row by this
time. So he said, briskly, wish I could,
son, but I got to see a man"
"Mr. Gray was here several times before
(he went away, but you were always out"
When her father showed no inclination to
tarry, Barbara spoke with more Impotence
than she had ever used toward him. II
want him to meet you, dad, for he has come
back on purpose to take up that Jackson
well. If I devote all my time to business,
it seems to me you could afford to sacrifice
an hour to it, just this once. That checker
game watt
Tom was offended and, being a stubborn
man. he bowed his back.