Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-16
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XIII
Mrs. Ring Is Surprised

double life, and neither her husband nor her
daughter suspected the extent of her de-
ception.
Yes, Ma had slipped the leash She was
| a robber baroness; she dwelt in a rock fast
uess'-whatever that was-surrounded by
a crew of outlaws desperate as any that
ever drew cutlass and dagger, and she ruled
them not only by native strength of charac-
ter, but also by the air of other forces, for
she was on friendly terms with the more
prominent wood sprites, fairies and the like,
and they brought her wisdom.
The Notch hotel was altogether too rich
for Gus Briskow's blood, so he sought a
more congenial environment He found 1t
in the village, in a livery stable; there, amid
familiar odors and surroundings both agree
able and economical, he spent most of his
time leaving Ma to amuse herself and
Allie to pursue her routine of studies laid
down by her tutoress.
Now Ma had not gone wild all at once !;
her atavism had been gradual-the result of
her persistent explorations. Ever deeper
into the wilderness she penetrated but
with the sly caution of an old fox return
ing to its lair, for she was always being
followed by wicked people. Having baffied
them all, she laughed scornfully, flung de-
ceit to the winds. then hurried straight to
the 'fastness," and there uttered the tribal
call. AT the sound her gypsy band came
bounding forth to meet her.
Having accepted their homage and heard
enemy, the false Duke of Dallas-he whose
treachery had made her what she was-she
assumed her throne and held formal court.
The throne was low, fiat rock beside
stream and usually Ma removed her shoes
and stockings and padded her feet in the
water while she gave audience to visiting
potentates.
Thus would Ma Briskow spend one morn
Ing. Another perhaps she would be an
altogether different character but always
chn
grace, and only when it came time to go
did she assume the disguise of an aged,
Wrlnkled, bent old woman. Sometimes she
ran miles and miles at a stretch. darting,
spr1nglng like a fawn rushing through the
soft, green leaves, leaping rock and rilI,
her laughter echoing, her bare limbs flash
ing, her gold hair streaming her scanty
silken draperies whipped to shreds behind
her by the very swiftness of her going. Oh,
the ecstasy of that! The excitement:
OF course Ma did not actually run.
Neither did her bare limbs fiash-being in
cased in fannels. And her hair was not
gold. 1t was gray what little there was
OF 1t. No, she ambled bit, perhaps where
the grass was short and the ground smooth,
then she stood still, closed her eyes, and
ran and leaped and swayed and darted-
with her arms. Anybody can do it,
Ma Briskow had never dreamed that the
world was so clean. She blessed God for
making oil to lie in the rocks of the
earth, and she prayed that none of them
hotel people" would discover her retreat
But, of course. somebody did discover it..
Mr.. Delmater, the dancing instructor for
one, stumbled upon it while Ma Briskow
was in the midst of of her imaginary
games, and he reported his discovery to
the day clerk.
What ails that old dame. anyhow"
he inquired, after recounting Mas peculiar
behavior.
mot thing in the world except money"
the clerk declared.
Doubtfully Mr.. Delmater shook his hand
some auburn head. "People with good
sense don't act like that. She was doing
an lsadora Duncan when I saw her. Dane
lng-1f you care to call it that! Anyhow,
her hair was hanging, she was Tapping
her arms and juggling up and down.
Delmater laughed at the memory. There S
big, awkward bird-sort of crane or
ouzzard of some kind-that dances. I never
saw one. but she reminded me of it. And
she sang! Gee! it was tierce!"
Did she see you?"
Scarcely. T don't mind being alone with
Allie "-Delmater teeth shone in a smile.
then, seeing his reflection in convenient
mirror, he studio it with complacent favor.
He tried to smile again, and getting it
to his better satisfaction, concluded-"don t
mind it bit, but bosky dell with a mad
woman is my idea of no place to be-"
"Allie?' The clerk lifted his brows.
So-'Allie! Has it gone as far as that
Del?"
"Oh you know how it is! A lesson every
DAY sort music, arm around the waist, a
kind word. The girl is human. I'm prob
ABLY different to anything that ever came
into her young life Look at my ward
robe! She's not 50 bad to take, either, and
yet The immaculate speaker frowned
rather smells like horse and mothers a
nut! Gee! 1t would take some coin to
square that"
Allie BriskOw was in training, both phy.
slcal and mental, and the application, the
energy she displayed had surprised not only
ner parents, who could but dimly understand
the necessity of self-culture, but also Mrs
ring, the lnstructress. Mrs. Ring, a hand
some, m1ddle-aged woman whose specially
was the finishing of wealthy young ladies. y
mad been induced to accept this position
partly by reason of the attractive salary
mentioned in Calvin Gray's telegram and
partly by reason of the fact that she needed
a rest.
Allie possessed character and will power.
FOR some time she had accepted Mrs RINGS
tuEorshlp without comment or question
calvin Gray had recommended it. therefore
she obeyed blindly-but one dav. after thnv
mad become settled in the mountains. she
came out with a forceful declaration.
She knew full well her own shortcomings.
so she declared. and she was not content
demanded intensified training; education
under forced draught.
VERY well. Riding is smart accom-
pllshmen{. Can you ride horse?"
Pshaw! I can carry a horse"
GU look we'll in habit, and with
paths, massage, dancing and a little diet
dare say you can reduce"
I'll starve." Allie asserted ferce1v
But that amt half enough. You gotta give
me more studyin'. I got callouses on nv
hands and I'm used to work. Well get
Good heaVenSp' Mrs Pine oro1o;...,