The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-12
BEGIN HERE,TODAY


onel Henry Nelson, a banker. Gus
Briskow strikes oil and meets Gray
who proves II friend in need to the
Briskow. family. Ale, the daughter
falls in love with Gray, but he loves
Barbara Parker. Bud Briskow, sor
Of Gus, falls into the hands of ar
adventures from whom Gray res.
cues him. Briskow buvs beautiful
home and Gray visits him there
Gray hires Mailow and two assoc,a,.
es to keep close watch of Nelson's
activities in the oil fields. Gray tells
the president Of the largest bank in
Dallas of his hate for Nelson.
NOW co ON WITH STORY
I'VE got a slave that tends the
Goor, but l amt got gentled up to
bells an things yet. Allies away
an Mas layin' down, So"
MA isn't i'll, hope?"
"N-no. Just aiin'."
you were in luck TO find house
in such smart neighborhood Gus
Now show me around quickly, for
I'm dying to see it,"
Lord, I'm dyin' 70 show it to
somebody! You're the frs. one that 5
dropped in an we been here most
two weeks. Say, you'll stay an eat
supper, won't you ?"
"Of course ] will, and breakfast,
too, if you can take care of me-
h IN al,
you when you come to the ranch
We got three niggers now just dom
the homework. I'd of bought a big
ger house if they'd Of let me. but
1T is large enough. Anything
more would merely add to your
cares"
allie and Ma picked out the fur
niture. Swell, amt it ?'
"Beautiful!" Gray exclaimed. In.
wardly he groaned, for, although the
contents of the home appeared TO be
expensive, almost ostentatious, they
nevertheless betrayed conspicuous
lack of taste both in character and
in arrangement. Here and there
were color combinations so afro
cious that they positively hurt the
caller. On the whole, however, the
place looked better than he had ,x-
pected, and such indications OF har-
mOny and restraint as he detected
he attributed to Allie. 1t was a nice
enough home, and with little
change, little Encouragement, it,
could be made attractive, even. to one
OF elegant tastes. Those changes, of
cour e, Gray determined to make.
"Allie's gone out to the old farm
to get some stuff for Ma" the father
explained in due time. "Some pitch
ers of her an Buddy when they was
little an rockin' chair an Mas
, favorite bedsprsad, an some other
things she likes"
Gray remembered the portraits
executed by ST. Louis "enlarge.
| ment" concern. They had wide gilt
: frames and were protected fl ION
ravaging flies by mosquito netting
He hoped that Ma would not hang
them in the hall or the living room
And that rocker, for which she
| yearned, was probably the one with
the creaking coiled springs-the one
that had leaped after him and
clashed it's jaws like an alligator.
Fly the way, how does Buddy
like the new homer" the latter in
quired.
"He amt seen it yet. Says ae's
too busy to leave the job What
yor. done to that boy, anyhow
"I'm making a real man ont Of
him-and an oil man. too. He knew
/ how to dress tools when / go, him
but he's a pretty good driller now
Before long he'll be able to take
charge Of your property and run il
on practical lines.
Tell me, Gus, how much money
! have you got ?"
II dunno. Figgers over thou.
aand dollars don't mean much tt
me-"
Gray searched, the speakers face
with speculative gaze. "It's most
ly liquid I presume" There was a
pause. II mean it's in cash or the
equivalent"
"Oh. sure! These bonds an stocks
an things" Briskow shook his
head disapprovingly. Land amt any
too safe, either. It's rainin' now
an it'll keep on rainin' till the farm.
ers is all drowned out. Next year
it'll be droughty an fry 'em to a
crisp. No I'm skeered of land. I'm
skeered of everything!" This last
was said plaintively.
you're the only man ever
knowed that I'd bank my life on.
An you're smart. You wouldn't
take Buddy, but mebbe you'd kinda
take me. take all of us. tell
you I'm skeeeredl"
Just how much confidence do l
inspire in you?" Gray's expression
was peculiar, for amazement, doubt,
eagerness were equally blended.
"This much: I'd turn the hull
works over to you, if you'd look out
for u.s."
For quite while the caller sat
with head bowed; with his gaze fixed
upon the flames, when he looked up
his face was red. his eyes were
brighter than usual
you don't know, how much I'd
like to say yes, but fought Buddy
, 4 - L = "a. 4 Il