Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-06
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER xvnI-Continued

| his eyes and limped out Of the room. But
| he did not go to Judge Hallorans office; he
was too sore to risk further offense at the
hands of one who took malicious delight in
antagonizng him. so he walked the streets.
Perhaps he had permitted the girl to do
more than her share of the work, and hence
her inclination to take all the credit for their
| joint success was only natural but 1t was
| time to change all that; time to turn a big
| deal without her assistance. That was the
| thing to do, handle the Jackson lease in his
own way and turn it over for a price far in
excess of seVenty-fve thousand dollars. Such
| things were being done-Tom did not know
| just how, but he could easily find out--and
| there several thousand dollars in the
| bank to the firms account.
| bus was about to leave, so Tom climbed
| in
| Little prickles ran over Bob" she felt
| her whole body galvanize when she saw Gray
coming.
He entered as she knew he would enter,
with the suggestion of baving been blown
thither upon the breast of gale. He was
electric; he throbbed with energy; he was
bursting with enthusiasm, and his delight at
seeing her was boyish
81 told Jackson you'd be out to look at
| the well and the book today" Bob" was
saying. He won't wait an hour longer
splendid! 1 came the instant you tele-
raphed-dropped everything in fact. Some
OF my men are waiting to see me, but
haven't even notified, them of my arrival.
Important business, too; nevertheless, I hur-
ried right here. They can wait" Gray
laughed gladly. "Jove! How becoming that
nat is. hired the best-looking car I could
find, and 1t will be here in minute 1 told
| myself I had earned day with you, and
wouldn't spoil it by permitting you to drive.
I've so much to talk to you about--business
of all sorts-that 1 scarcely know where to
Begin
Now bob" had expected to drive to the
Northwest Extension with Gray; nothing else
had been in her|mind; her field clothing was
even laid out ready for a quick change, but
a sudden contrariness took hold of her; she
experienced shy perversity that she could
not explain.
ooh, Tn sorry! cant go. I simply
can't she declared.
He was so obviously disappointed that her
determination gained strength; she was sur
prised at her own mendacity when she ex-
planned the utter impossibility of leaving the
office, and told circumstantial ib about
title that had to be closed with people from
out of town.
In order finally to get him away before
she could change her mind, she promised to
hurry through her affairs and then drive out
to bring. him home.
Gray drove directly to the lease be had
come to examine, and was disappointed to
learn that the owner had just left. This was
annoying: Bob had assured him that he
was expected. Inquiry elected from the
| surly individual in charge no more than the
reluctant admission that Jackson had been
called to the nearest telephone, but would be
back some time
During the early dusk Gray returned to the
lease, only to find even the greasy caretaker
gone. BY this time he was decidedly uncom-
Portable, and, to add to his discomfort he
conceived the notion that he was being fol-
lowed. On second thought he dismissed this
idea, nevertheless be took a. roundabout
course back toward the main street.
Before long Gray found himself in super
heated, overcrowded back room with stack
of SILVER dollars which he scattered carelessIy
upon the numbers of roulette table. Rou-
lette was much like the oil game. This was
| a good way in which to kill an hour.
Absorbed in his own thoughts, Gray paid
little heed to those about him. until large
hand picked up one of his bets. Then he
raised his eyes,. The hand was attached to
, muscular arm, which in turn was attached
| to burly stranger of unpleasant men Gray
voiced good-natured protest, but the fellow
scowled and refused to acknowledge his mis-
take. Noting that the man was flushed, Gray
shrugged and allowed the incident to pass.
LIS pOOIlSS WHISKY 1rOm dCiOSS NSQ hIV0f
was, Of quality to scatter a persons eye
sight
For some time the game continued before
Gray won again, and the dealer deposited
| thirtyfve silver dollars beside his bet. Again
that sun drowned hand reached FORTH but
this time Gray seized it by the wrist.
With wrench the man undertook to free
his hand; he uttered threatening oath. The
next instant he was treated to surprise, for
Gray jerked him forward and simultaneously
his empty palm struck the fellow binding,
| a resounding smack. Again he cuffed the
fellows face this time from the other side
When he finally dessted the stranger rocked
in his tracks; he shook his head he bhnked
and he cursed; it was moment before he
could focus his whirling sight upon his as
sailant. When he succeeded it was to behold
the latter staring at him with a hooking,
threatening smile
The drunken man hesitated he cast slow
glance around the room, then muttering,
! hoarsely, he turned and made for the door.
| He followed by a burst of derisive laugh
| ter that grew louder as he went.
n RAY was in better mood now than for
7 several hours; he had vented his irri-
| tation; the air had cleared. After a
| while he discovered that he was hungry; no
| longer was he too resentful to heed the
! healthy warning of his stomach, so he left
| the place.
| Continued Thursday Suh-