Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-17

! nlng.
"St down and light up while I tell you
about it, In a few sentences Gray made
known the story of Ozark Brskow's infatua-
! ton. and the reason for his interest
therein. "The woman is of the common get
| rich-quick' varety,'> he concluded, and she
won't de-"
"She didn't pull the family estate and her
fathers slaves and the orange grove on you,
did she?''
ooh, no She used that on Buddy and he
believes it implicitly. We three are dinn &
downstairs in an hour; perhaps you could
look in on us?''
Sure, I'll give her t. once over" Mallow
agreed. IF she's anybody in our set, I'll
know her.
The dinner had scarcely started when Gray
heard his name PACED and left the table.
In the lobby Malow was waiting with grin
upon his face.
Us that herr" lie inquired
"Thatis the girl
Girl? Airline Montague EN-? Her name
is Margie Fulton, and she had her hair up
when they built the Union Pacific"
Nonsense! You're mistaken. She can't
be more than twenty-fiye-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 withered peach and
you're dining with Margie Fulton, the Sui
eide Blonde. l know her kid"
Her What?" Mallow's nearer gasped.
Sure. She was married to Bonnie Full
ton, the jockey, and they had boy. Bonnie
was ruled off in New Orleans and started
gambling house"
New Orleans! Wait-Tm beginning to
remember" Into Gray's mind came an in
distinct memory, the blurred picture of
race track with it's shouting thousands, a
crowded betting ring; then, more clearly,
garish, over-furnshed room in a southern
mansion; clouds of tobacco smoke rising in
the cones of bright light above roulette and
poker tables; negro servants in white with
traps; mint juleps in tall, frosted glasses;
pretty girl with straw-colored hair
you're right" he agreed, finally. "She was
'come-On.'"
"Thats her. She worked the betting ring
daytimes and boosted in Bennie's place at
night. Whenever she was caught, she sui
cided. That's how she got her name"
JUST what do you mean by that?'
"Why, the usual stuff. A bottle of water
with poison label. If mullet threatened
to call the police, she'd cry. You have ruined
my life! Then with shaking hand she'd pull
the old skull bottle and drink herself 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. WY dear
Professor" he confessed wisdom, of sort
is mine; sometimes I grow weary with the
weight of my experiences and wonder why
the world so seldom shows me something
new. But beside you I as babe. Tell
me, what has become of the ex-jockoy hus-
band?"
a h ipJ
square, like most of those 'come-ons.' She'd
I''hoW dare guy that so much as looked at
her. You know the kind l mean"
And the child? Where do you suppose
she keeps it,"
Mallow reflected. THE last time I saw the
little cherub he was singing bass in bell
boys quartette at Hot Springs
could you get hold of this - this boy
basso-and bring. him here without letting
him or his mother know"
Il can if he's still at Hot Springs, and
saw him there the last time l was up. The
| little darling got me into a crap game and
ran in some shaped dice. Of course, it. would
cost something to get him"
There is a thousand dollars in it if YOU
can produce him within the next forty-eight
hours"
That night was repetition of the one be-
lore, but tn variations and with TRIM
minss, for Buddy wore his "two-pint trous-
ers" again, and this time they were loaded,
hence Cray had a chance to observe him at
his be- Or worst
On the whole, it was horrible night
Buddy sought Gray out in the lobby early
the next afternoon, and after colorless
greeting, said, queerly Would you mind
! comm UP to my room for minute?"
| certainly not. I'd have looked in on you
before TINS if I'd thought you were up"
Once inside his spacious suite Buddy flung
himself ----o chair and with trembling fin
gers lit cigarette.
| He cleared his throa. several times before
he managed to Say: You don't want me to
marry Airline, do you, Mr. Gray?"
FRA XIV. my boy, l do not"
BriskoW stirred. Is tat why you-went
an got that di'mon ring I had +, de?" When
this query met with nod the young Texans
face famed and his e-es glowed what in
he'll He swallowed his anger, rose to
his fecC nd made nervous circuit of the
room before coming to a pause at Gray's
side His lips were working; there was
tragic. a piteous appeal in his eyes; his voice
shook as he stammered: Il didn't mean to
break out at you, Mr.. Gray. 1 like you Gee
T You're kinda like God to me- I'd ruther
be like you than-well there amt nobody
| like like | like you You could get her
away from me if you wanted to, but-you
wouldn't do trick like that would you?
l was mighty happy ill you came. You got
that ring with you?"
II have it in my pocket"
II want it, Buddy offended quivering
hand.
"Why?"
I'm gon' to ask her TO marry me today.
If she won't I'm gon' To-"
'Will YOU wait forty-egh- hours?"
"No"