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

Calvin Gray arrives in Dallas and
calls at the office Of Colonel Henry
Nelson. Gray tells Nelson that he
mean to break him financially. Nell
son defies Gray. Gray meets Bar
bara Parker, who buys land for the
colonel, and he falls in love with
her. Gus BriskOw strikes oil and
asks Gray to. help the family over
the rough spots. Allie. the daugh-
ter loves Gray. Bud, the son, runs
away from school and Gray follows
to bring him home, Mallow, an as
sociate Of Gray, tells Gray that Bud
is in the hands of an adventures
ana that he knows her son.
NOW GO ON WITH STORY
"She divorced him. Mind you,
Margie was square like most of
those 'cone-Ons. She'd how dare
/ ! guy that so much as looked at her.
You know the kind | mean.
"And. the child? Where do you
suppose she keeps it"
Mallow reflected. "The last time
saw the little cherub he was sing
ing bass in bellboy's quartette at
Hot Springs"
"Could you get hold of this-this
boy basso and bring him here with
out letting him or his mother
, know?'
" can if he's still at Hot Springs
and l saw him there the last tine !
was up. The little darling got me
into crap game and ran in some
shaped dice. OF course, it would
cost something to get him."
| There is thousand dollars IN it
if yoa can produce him within the
next forty-eight hours"
That night was repetition of1he
one before, but with variations and
with trimmings, fol Buddy wore his
"two-pint trousers" again, and this
time they were loaded, hence Gray
had a chance to observe him at his
best-or worst.
On the whole, it was a horrible
night.
Buddy sought Gray out in he
lobby, early the next afternoon, and
after colorless greeting, said,
queerly, would you mind comm
up to my room for mnute?'
"Certainly not. I'd have looked
in on you before this if Id thought
you were up"
Once inside his spacious suite,
Buddy flung himself into chair and
with trembling fingers lit cigaret.
! He cleared his throat several
times before he managed to say
you don't want me to marry Ar
line, do you, Mr.. Gray?"
Frankly, my boy. do not"
Briskow stirred. Els that why you
went an got that di'mon' ring I
had made?' When this query met
with nod the young Texans face
famed and his eyes glowed. What
in hell" He swallowed his anger
rose to his feet and made nervous
circuit of the room before coming to
4 pause at Gray's side. His lips
were working; there was tragic,
a piteous appeal in his eyes; his
voice shook as he stammered: 81
didn't, mean to break out at you, Mr..
Gray. like you. Gee! l. You're
kinda like God to me. I'd ruther be
like you than-well, there amt no.
body like like ! like you You
could get her AWAY from me if you
wanted to but you Wouldn't do a
=, trick like that would you? was
mighty 4 happy till you came
got that ring with you?"
II have it in my pocket"
II want it," Buddy extended a
quivering hand.
"Why?"
'I'm going to ask her to marry MT
today. If she won't I'm going to-
will you wait forty-eight hours o.
"No"
"Twenty-four?"
Gimme that ring!" When Gray
made no move the speaker ran on
excitedly. "I'm man. I'm of age
It's none of your business what l do
nor PAS or Mas. either. 1t went
do no good for them to come"
Gray went to the door, locked il
and pocketeds the key. "Buddy"-his
voice was firm. his face was set
"you are man, yes, although you
were only a boy a lew weeks ago
now"
"You goin' to try an hold me
here?" The inquiry was one Of
mingled establishment and anger, for
young Briskow could scarcely be.
lieve his eyes. Don't do that, Mr.
Gray. l. nobody can't make me
do anything. Please don't! That's
plumb foolish."'
Zone of US is going to remain in
this room, and think it will be
YOU" AS Gay spoke he jerked Oft
his coat and flung it aside. Bette,
STRIP Buddy if you mean to try it,
Buddy recoiled steps Incredu.
lousy he, exclaimed. "You-you
wouldn't try that! This is my room
You must be crazy"
81 think l. am indeed, to endure
what l have endured these last two
days; to make myself ridiculous; to
be humiliated; .tostrisk my business
ruin just to save a young fool from
his folly" Impatience, resentment
anger where in the speakers tone.
Ozark Briskow, too, had reached
the limit of his endurance; he ex.
ploded. Momentari1y he lost hi.
head and cursed Gray vilely. Fol
answer the latter moved close anC