The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-05

orchestra. 1t was ip-pOckct'
crowd and while there was no pub
lie drinking, the high pitched volu-
blity Of the merrymakcrs was plain
~ of alcoholic origin.
Gray realized that he was in for
an ordeal, for he had become too well
known to escape notice. COnsterna-
ton filled him, therefore, at thought
| of the effect of his presence here
might have. But the music went
straight to Buddys feet; a synfopa-
ton intoxicated him much as the
throbbing Of midnight drums and
the pounding of tom-toms mesmcr-
ize voodoo worshiper, and he
arms without SO much as an apology
to his other guest.
There was nothing cor, ervative
about Buddy's d.nc;ng. He cmhel-
lished his steps with capricous fig
ures, and when he led his partner
back to the table where he had sieft
Gray. like a sailor marooned upon
thirsty atoll. he was rcd faced ana
perspiring; his enthusiasm was boil
ing over.
"Dawg -gonc!" he cried "Now. il
we had something wet, CHI? These
pants is cut purpose for brace of
rm-fittin' TASKS. but left 'em in
the room on account of you not
drinkin' Mr.. Gray"
In spite of the fact that Ozark
Briskow was compelled to sit out
| every alternate dance in distress
ing condition of sobriety, ihe en-
joyed himself, for he was playing
host to the one woman and the one
! man for whom he cared most
| CHAPTER XXI
Fight to the Finish
"Why the S. o. ST" Mallow voic-
ed this question as he entered Gray's
hotel room early the following even
| ing.
"Sit down and light up while l
tell you about it," In few SEN
fences Gray made known the story
of Ozark Briskow's infatuation, and
the reason for his own interest there
in. "The woman is of the coYmon
'gct-rich- quick variety" he cohcIud-
ed, ana she won't 40
"She didn't pull the family estate
and her fathers slaves and the
orange grove on you, did she?'
"Oh no. She used that on Buddy
and he believes it implicitly. We
three are dining downstairs in an
hour; perhaps you could look in on
u.s."
"Surc. I'll give her the once over"
Mallow agreed. of she's anybody in
our set, ri know her."
The dinner had scarcely started
when Gray heard his name PACED
and left the table. In the lobby Nal
low was waiting with a grin upon
his face. y
as that hcr!" he inquired.
"That is the girl"
"Girl? airline Mantague,' Ell?
Her name is Margic Fulton and she
had her hair up when they built the
Union .Pacific.'
Nonsense! You're mistaken. She
can't be msrc than twenty five
thirty at most"
"A woman can be as young as she
wants to be if she'll pay the price.
Margie had her face tucked up two
years ago. Cost her five thousand
bucks"
I-can't believe it,"
"Those face surgeons have ironed
the wrinkles out of many a withcred
peach, and you're dining with ,Margie
Fulton the Suicide Blonde. \ know
her kid"
"Her what?" Mallow's nearer
gasped -
"Sure. She was married to Ben
ME Fulton, the jockey, and they had
boy. Bonnie was ruled off in New
Orleans and started gambling
house."
"New Orleans! Wait-I'm begin
ming to- remember" Into Gray's
mind came an indistinct memory;
! the blurred picture of race track
with it's shouting thousands, .
crowded betting ring; then. more
clearly. garisn, over-furnished
room in Southern mansion; clouds
of tobacco smoke rising in the cones
Of bright light above roulette xnd
poker tables; negro servants in
white, with traps; mint juleps in
tall. frosted glasses; a pretty girl
with straw-colored hair "Yol're
right" he agreed, finally. "She was
'come-on' :"
That's her. She worked the bet
! ting ring daytimes and boosted in
Bennie's place q. night. Whenever
she was caught she suicided. That's
how she got her name"
Gust what do you mean by that?"
"Why the usual stuff. A bottle of
water~with poison label If null
let threatened to call the police.
she's cry, "You have, ruined my life!'
Then with shaking hand shed pull
the old skull bottle and drink her.
self to death. OF course, the poor
leaping tuna usually. got the acid
out Of her hand in time to save her.
She saw to that"
Gray was laughing silently. "My
dear Professor" he confessed, Evils
dom, of sort, is mine; sometimes l
! grow weary with the weight of my
experiences and wonder why the
world so seldom shows me Some-
thing new. But beside you l am as
babe. Tell me, what has become
: of the ex-jockey husband?"
(Continued in Our Next Issue)
J Frenchman's plane which stands
still in the air will help some in prgu-
, | inc with air traffic CONS A