Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-06-29

HctL5 OWOpts anu Oeudb9f Lowe
entered "Yonder is statement
which l want you to read and wit
ness. When you d one that, I'm go
ing to tell you why Henry Mel
son signed it. The rest will be up
to you"
1t was m idafternoon. Swope
and Lowe had left the bank. Brs-
kow drew d deep breath and said,
with genuine relief: Pm glad
that's over. We can handle the
debt between. US, an after all,
Old Bells pretty good citizen.
As for Henry, ! spOse he'll wrig-
gle out Of it, somehow. l dunno as
I'd Of been so easy on him If I'd
been in your place"
I'm tell you why | was easy on
him." Gray confessed. pm tired
of fighting; I'm worn out. I've
won my point, and he'll carry the
sort OF load I've been carrying.
But there is this difference; for
him there will be no vindication at
the end" Taking from hispocket
Nelson's statement, he stared at lit,
then slowly his face lightened.
"D'you know why l felt this
thing so keenly? Why l fought so
long? Of course you don't, for I've
held out og you. Fact! I've held
out on my partner-had a secPet
for him Now then, steel yourself
for surprise Pm suffering from
Buddy's complaint, onl yten times
aggravated
"What?" Briskow staerd up at
the animated countenance above
him. You thinkin' about gettin'
married."
Pm thinking about nothing
else. That's what a lis m e. Why,
Gus, you've no idea what a per
fectIy charming person can be
when-when l can be what ! am.
/ thought | was too old and too
blase ever to b ecome seriously in
terested in a woman, above all in
a girl, but Do you remember
when Ma and Allie acme to Dallas
that fist tin9e? lSomathing hap
pened about then to upset all my
ideas"
Briskow's sun-parched face
slowly lightened, his bright, inquis-
tive eyes grew b luer, brighter.
"Pm-mighty glad! l alus hop
ed" He tried to finish hi ssen-
tence, then shook his head and
murmured, huskily, Mighty gladp
Here was a marvel, a miracle,
for which he had never dared even
hope. He thought Of Allie and a
lump came into his throat. She
had reached the stars. His girl
She W ould be mighty glad, too
Gray was speaking, a nd in his
voice was a new vibrant quality, a
new yigor. 'NOw you'll know why
this is the biggest day of my life
why | thought those men would
never go. / m Shaking all over,
Gus. You'll have to run the bank
for awhile; I'm too young and ir-
responsible. Pm going out to buy
a hoop and pair of roller
skates"
When he beheld the familiar
painted sign, tom and Bob Park
er. Real Estate and Insurance, /"
he p aused. ThT mere sight of
the little wooden building, the
name, gave him am odd shortness
of breath. 1t was weeks since he
had been here.
1t was a disappointment to find
the o. ffice empty, except for the
father himself, but Gray began
with rush, well, | told you I'd
clear myself, and-here am,
walking on air"
You Gid it, Ell? That's good
news"
eve had a showdown at the
bank. Henry Nelson and | locked
horns a nd-But here! Read what
he signed. That cleans the slate.
He'll do anything further that
may be necessary, officially,
Where's Bob?"
They're fishin' for a bit in one
Of your Avenger wells. She's out
,here."
$50? I'd forgotten"
Did you see? Did Buddy
have a TX with you? Today, |
mean?"
Buddy? Oh, Buddy Briskow!
saw him for moment only. She'll
be back soon, l dare say?"
Tom Parker stirred; it was a
moment before he spoke, then t
was with apparent iIrelevance that
he said: 'Tm sorry you and he
didn't have a good talk. Bob ask
ed him to see you-sen9 him there
apurpose." The sight of Gray's
smiling eager5i ,uncomprehending
face cauesd t he old mans steady
gaze to waver. He cleared his
throat. "Buddy's a fine boy"
Continued Tomorrow