Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-23
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XIV
A Friend in Need

! morning train had arrived. Probably 1T had
| brought that gentleman of Importance" to
whom the manager had referred.
Briskow's chain of thought was broken by
slap on the back that nearly drove him
through the cashiers window; then by
! loud. CHEEKY greeting. The next moment he
| found himself actually embraced by-Gus
could not believe his eyes-Calvin Gray!
Gus! You precious pirate! My, but I'm
| glad to see you; Ma and Allie are well, l
| know; they couldn't be otherwise here. Great
| place. isn't it? Nothing in this country or
| Europe that compares with it, and I've sent
| dozens of my friends here. I came north on
business and couldn't bear to go back with
| out seeing you. Come! Give me welcome,
! for I've travelled across three states to get
| here"
The two stood hand in hand. Gray beam
| ed approvngly. Gus, too, smiling, bun
! earnestly he said, I'm right glad to see you,
Mr.. Gray for we're in trouble
| In greater detail Briskow made known the
facts When he had finished his hating re-
cital Calvin Grays face was flushed with
anger. there was a dark frown between his
eyes.
''WeII see!" he muttered "Wait here
or go back and tell ma to commence I'M
packing" Then he was gone.
For perhaps ten minutes Gus waited nerv-
ously; he was amazed finally to see Gray ap-
both were laughing; the hotel mans face was
radiant with good humor. To the departing
guest he said, genially:
"You are not going to leave us, after all,
Mr.. Brskow. On the contrary, we are going
to keep you at the Notch as long as you'll
stay. Stupid misunderstanding on my part,
and I apologize. I'm going to ask you tc
move, but into a better suite-the very best
one we have. And the rate will be the same.
Come! What do you say?"
"Dunno's I want to stay at ALL" Gus muir
INJURED, angrily. eve amt no better n we
was half hour ago"
''To be sure, but I've made you better
known" said Gray. you are too shy; you
didn't afford my friend here the pleasure OF
making your acquaintance, and had to tell
him the sort Of person you really are. serves
you right, Gus, for being so exclusive. Cad!
I think I'll give you few lessons in democ
racy. Now, then, come along! I'm dying
to see ma"
AS the father trotted down the hall besides
his swiftly striding deliverer he gasped,
How'd you do it,"
Nothing simpler. I merely showed Mr..
Misunderstanding that he was making ass
of himself. I've spent fortune here; know
the owners, too. Nice chap, that manager,
but he has no business running hotel, and l
so informed him" The speaker laid finger
upon his lips; his eyes were dancing He
knocked sharply at the Briskow door and
cried, Baggage ready, ma'am?"
There was a stir from within, the door
was slowly opened by bent, pathetic figure
of grief
MAJ" Gray cried, and he held out his
arms.
Perhaps it was his vriIe personality,
dating confidence, security, or perhaps 1t
was Gus Briskow's shining face that told the
story; whatever the fact, Ma Briskow uttered
wal
open arms and laid her head upon Gray's
breast.
"Oh-h-h! We amt goin' away" she said.
eve ain't-goin' away"
"Of course not. Gus misunderstood. The
manager merely wanted you to move-into
larger, finer suite, and he is positively dis
tressed at the thought of your leaving The
poor man is dashing about collecting an arm
full of roses for you and Allie. He wants 10
come in person and apologize"
There was another sound and Gray looked
I'D to see Allie standing in the doorway to
her bedroom; with one hand she clutched the
lamb the other was pressed to her bosom,
she was staring at him as at an apparitlon
1t was several hours later. In the parlCr
of the new suite, a spacious, sunny room, fra
grant with flowers and cheerful with brilliant
cretonnes, Gray and Briskow were talking
Allie and her mother could be seen in their
bedroom putting away the last of their be-
lOnSlnSS. tray S eyes ndu DC0u III avn, az
frequent intervals, to the younger woman
for the change in her became the more amaz-
ing the more he observed her.
Gray sent the father away on some pretext,
finally; then he called to Allie Come i'll
here and talk to me. I am a guest and |
demand entertainment" He observed with
silent approval her carriage as she entered
the room and accepted the chair he ofered
her. Faint trace of the nester's daughter
here. at want good chance to look at you.
''Now, then, do you like Mrs. Ring?"
Allie nodded. 81 like her, butt hate
her. She makes me feel awful mad because
she can't understand that [ ANTI am not
mad at her, but at myself. l don't hardly
know how to explain it. If I was her I'd hate
me- like I do"
"Would you like to have her remain?
cob, would! She knows everything, and
she makes me learn. But she won't stay. l
lust found out that she's been quitting every
few weeks, and Pas been raising her wages.
No, the disgrace, and being thrown
Out"
my dear girl, let me assure you, once foI
all there is no suggestion of disgrace about
this affair You behaved with spirit, and
those who have heard about it admire you
I have talked with a number of them, and
know. I had a talk with Mrs, Ring, also. ana
she will remain if you wish her to do so.
Tell me, what are you going to do this after
noon?"
81 dunno" Allie looked blank. Il don't
do anything but study. I spose I got to
study"
Nothing of the sort. You have circles |
under your eyes now from overwork, and this |
is your vacation. I a visitor, restless |
visitor; abhor being asked to make myself |
at home. and I never do. I demand amuse-