The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-05-19


az mention OF those wrotehed little
children, No, there was a sincere
emotional quality concluded in this
young giantess. and a sensitiyoncsa
quite unexpected.
Gray remained silent until she
opened her eyes. then he said.
when sou and your mother come
10 Dallas 10 do your shopping.
won't you LET me take you around
20 tho right shops and sec that you
set the right thlngag" Then.
prompted by the girls quick resent
ment. he added, hastily, AT the
right prleca3"
Allies face cleared. why. that's
rlgat nice OF your she declared. Il
Il reckon we'd be glad TO-"
Gus hriskow WAS a sandy, angular
man. ring OF air holes cut in the
crown OF his faded felt hat showed
a head o. hair faded TO match the
color of his headgcar. his greasy
overalls wero tucked into boots and
a ragged Ioscph's coat covered his
flannel shirt. Both the man and
HIS makeup were thoroiy typical OF
this part OF the country. except IN
one pariiculAr-Pa Briskow pos.
seased the brightest. the shrewdsal
pair OF blue eyes that Calvin Gray
had ever SEEN. and they were sur.
rounded by network Of progresses.
Ing wrinkles.
He came directly In 20 greet his
visitor then said. II never expect
ed you'd come way out here an
bring your plunder with you, Ma
says you got a huh gripful o. d..
mons"
Il have. Indeed" Gray pointed 20
the gllitering display still spread out
upon tho varicolorcd counterpanc
Briskow approached the bed ana
gazed ourlously. silently down at
tho treasure, then his face broke
into a sunshlny smile. lie wiped
his hands upon his trousers legs
and picked up a ring. But instead
OF examining tho jewel. he looked
at the price mark. after which his
smile broadcncd.
Ozark had entered behind his faith.
cE and hls sister introduced him
now. lie was a year or two young
or than Allegheny. but cast In the
same heroic mold They formed a
massive pair OF children indeed. and,
rs in her case. n sulien- diAtruat OF
strangers was inherent In him. lie
stared colby. rcscnifuliy. AT Gray.
mumblcd AN unlntelligibio greeting.
then rudciy turned hts back upon
tho visitor and joined his father
Tho elder Iiriskow spoke first.
and u was evident that hc feared
TO betFay lack OF conservatism. for
he said. with admirable restraint
Likely lot OF trinkcia. chi.
Budf'
bud gruntcd. After a momen, he
Inquired OF Gray. -How much Is
that hun lot wuth. Ailstcr7"
Close to hundred thousand dol.
lars"
Brother and sister exchanged
glanees. the father considered brief.
~. smilinsly. then he said. with
oil AZ three an quarter IL wouldn't
take long for a 200 barber TO set
tho hull caboodie. would ~"
is your well producing 1900 bar,
rols day"
"Huhr Briskow. junior. grinned
at bis sister. exposing mouth full
Of teeth as white and "a sound M
pilroad crockeFy. but hts next
words were directed al Gray: we
got four wells and The poorest one IA
maxim 1900 bar1."
Tho guests mental calculations as
TO tho Briskow royalties were In.
,errsptod by an announcement that
dinner was ready. whereupon the
father announced:
Mister. IL looks like you'd have
to stay overnight with us. cause
got important business after dinner
an l wouldn't trust Ma to pick out
no jcwelry by herself them prices
would skccr her to. death. Were
ignorant people and we Amt used
TO spendin' money. 20 Il II take
time for us 10 mako UP our minds.
Kin you wait7''
'T1l stay as long aa you.ll keep
me-" Gray declared. heartily.
A moment later, having learned
that place at the table had been
set for his driver as well as him.
self. Gray stepped out to summon
the man and 10 effect tho necessary
change in his arrangements lie
was not surprised TO find the chauf
fcur with nose fIattened against n
pane OF the front.room window. his
hands cupped over his eyes. IEnor.
ing the fellows confusion at being
discovered. Gray told him OF his
change Of plan and instructed him
TO drive back 10 Ranger and TO re.
turn lato tho following afternoon.
Then ho led tho way toward the
kitchen.
That stay nj the Briskows' turned
out TO be less irksome than the
visitor had anticipated, for the aft.
ernoon was spent with Buddy exam.
lining tho Brlskow wells and others
near by. II was an interesting OK.
perience. and Gray obtained u deal
OF flrst-hand information that he be.
iieyed would come in handy. Bud
dy's first mIstrust was not long In
passing. and, once Gray had pene.
tratcd his guard, the boy was won
completely. the pendulum swung to
the opposite extreme. and ere long
suspicion changed 10 liking. then
to approval. and at last to open.
extravagant admiration.
And Gray liked the youthful giant.
too. once the latter had dropped
his hostility and had become his
natural self. for Ozark was a lad
with temper and with temperament.
They got along together swimming.
ly; in fact, they grew thicker than
thieves In the course OF time. The
elder man soon became conscious
OF the fact that he was being
studied. analysed. even copied-the
sincerest form OK flattery--and it
Al al