The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-20

has been dishonorably discharged
from the army. Gray and his friend
Gus Briskow. buy the controlling in
tercst in Nelson's bank. At a meet
ing of the banks directors, Gray
declares that he was discharged
from the army through the treach-
cry of Henry Nelson and that later,
having been found out Nelson also
was dismissed. Gray forces Nelson
to admit the truth. Bud BrisEow
son of Gus, meets Barbara Parker.
Gray calls to propose marriage to
Barbara,
NOW GO ON WITH STORY
Finest in the world! | claim re-
sponsibility for him, in a way. He's
part mine Gray laughed; his eyes
| sparkled.
Him and Bob are out there to-
gether. They've been together a
lot, Mr.. Gray. Both of 'em young,
that away
"Of course. I knew you'd both
like Some quality in Toms
voice, some reluctant evasivenes5 to
his eyes, bore Il belated message to
the younger man-snapped his chain
OF thought-dried the words upon
his ps. Into his eyes leaped a sud
Gen strained incredulity. Sharply.
ne cried, what do you mean? ?"
Then, after an instant, "Why did he
want to see meg" The two men
gazed squarely at each other for the
first time. "My God! Why--that's
absurd! II brought him here.
He's just boy"
Il didn't notice how thing was
going till it was too late. We might
as we'll talk frankly, Mr.. Gray.
Prob'ly it's well you saw me first,
eh? Well, when l understood where
they was heading, l worried lot
after what you said that day, under
stand? But those two! Pshaw! 1t
was like they had known each other
always"
Then they've-settled it between
them?"
Tom nodded gravely. "She told
me last night. And from the way
she told me, | know it's not just boy
and girl love. She's been singing
like a bird all day. And Buddy!
He's breathless. l know how he feels.
l couldn't draw a full breath for two
weeks after 'Bob's' mother"
Gray uttered wordless, gasping
cry. He moved unsteadily toward
the door, then paused with his hand
upon the knob. Tom Parker was
surprised when, after a moment, he
saw the mans shoulders shake and
heard him utter a thin, cackling
laugh. Thine is a grim old joker
isn't he? No way of beating him
none at all. Now l thought | was
young, but Lucky l found YOU
here and spared my vanity"
CHAPTER xxx
Ma Says a Prayer
Calvin Gray did not return to the
bank. He went straight to his hotel
and, as soon as he could sufficiently
control himself to do so, he tele.
phoned Gus Briskow, telling hh:
that he intended to leave town
Then he began mechanically to pack
his bag. He moved like man in q
trance, for the blow had fallen sc
suddenly as to numb him; his only
impulse was to escape, to hide him
self from these people who, of ;
sudden, had become hateful.
When night came he took his bae
and skunk out Of the hstel, for il
seemed that men must surely know
, what fool he had made of himself
1t would have been a relief to fee
that he was leaving never to return;
but even that was denied him, for
after his first panic, the truth hat
come home. He could not run
away.
He thought of Ma Briskow, final
ly. She was human: she had
heart. He bought ticket to Dallas
Ma Briskow's eyes were dim
nevertheless, she saw the change il
Calvin Gray when, late the follow
ing afternoon, he came to see her.
Land sakes!" she exclaimed, in ;
shocked voice. "Pa never said yo,
was ailin'. Why, Mr.. Gray!"
Ppm not really ill.," he told her
YEARLY, "just old. I've had ba,
night" Seating himself be3ide he
couch, he took her hand in his an,
made her tell him all about herself
He had brought her an armful o
flowers, as usual, and extravagan
!; Egifts for her adornment-giving, i
. seemed, was his unconscious habit
While she admired them with &c
} static "Ohs!" and "Ahs!" he busie,
, himself with bowls and vases, blu
Ma noted his fumbling uncertaint,
: of touch and evident effort wit
7 which he kept up his assumption O
t good cheer. She told him, finally:
Something mighty bad has hap
pened to you, Mr.. Gray"
:. He gazed at her mutely, then nod
ded.
SIS it something about the-th
Princess of Wichita Falls?"
, Eyes, Ma."N
, There was long silence, then Nj
inquired: would you like to tel