Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-01
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XVII-Continued

wouldn't take up with-with nobody that
wasn't nice. What makes you think It's a
girl?"
81 didn't say girl ma; said woman.
Buddy's been writin' to me and"
! whats the difference? Mebbe he's In
they've run away to git married. Buddy's
handsome, and they got nice women every
where"
Love? With all his money? And him
only up to fractions? Allegheny laughed
scornfully.
GUS hand. I'm most sick over it," he con-
! fessed. THE perfessor has written me a
couple times about him. Buddys gone kinda
Wild 1 guess, drinkin' an"
drinking, eh?" Gray was frowning THE
woman part 1 don't care so much about
| he'll probably get over that If it isn't too
serious. But whisky! That's different. I'm
| responsible for that boy; in a manner of
| speaking 1 adopted him because-well, be-
cause he fattered me by pretending to ad-
| mire' me. It was a unique experience I
took Buddy for my own. Will you let me
handle this matter?" The speaker dock ed
| from one person to the other, and they saw
| that his face was grimly set. "Give ME my
way and III bring that young rascal to time
or" He shrugged. he smiled family. "Give
me permission to treat him as If he really
| were my own, will you?"
"You got my leave" said the father; but
| Ma Brskow bristIed.
| Don't you dast to hurt him" she cried
| You can't beat anything into Buddy's
| head" 1t was Allie speaking after all
he's grown up. and What right has anybody
got to interfere with him? S'pose it is a
woman? Spose she is after his money? It's
his. Men can get what they want by payin'
tor It, An hour day, week of happiness!
faint that worth all Buddy'll have to pay?
Ia pay Ia go through torture the rest of
my life"
"'Allesheny Briskow!" the mother ex-
claimed.
well, I would" The girls voice broke
sudden agitation seized her; in passionate
defiance she went on; whats the use of
wanting something all your life and never
| getting it? What's money for if you can't
buy the one thing you want worst of all?
That's where men have got the best of it;
| they can buy love. l wish l was a man; I
wish was Buddy! I'd have my day, my
| week, and as much more as I could pay for
/ Ia have happiness that long if it broke my
heart. But I'm a girl"
| 1t was with sudden interest that Grav
studied the speaker. Here Was side to the
BrlskoW character that he had not suspected
and it gave him a new light upon Buddy
Tor brother and sister were much alike; it
showed him more clearly the size of the task
! ne had Volunteered OF undertake. He heard
the father speaking, and reluctantly with
drew his eyes from Allies flaming face
He likes you, Mr.. Gray, an mebbe YOU
could keep him from spoilin' his hull life.
mats what he's liable to do AMIN
| skeered He wouldn't Nsten to me- Boys
don't listen to their fathers"
I'll find him, Gus. and I'll make him
listen to me. 1 will put detectives on the
! case and they will report to- me at Wichita
Falls. AS soon as they uncover his trail.
III go to Buddy at once"
You goin' to leave us?"
i must. I've just received a telegram
from my-my agent About the purchase
OF a well. 1t is matter than can't wait"
! Il can't thank you for all you have done
for us. We was in bad shape till you come.
! Now"
CHOW everything is straight again. That's
my job -Gus-to do little odd favors for
| those l love. You must stay here. for mas
happy, and this place is making a girl of her
AllIe Is dong wonders with herself, too, By
the way, she needI't be lonely any more:
I've talked to some of the guests,
and they want to make friends with her
She II find them nice people, and you must
make her meet them halfway. Perhaps she'll
become interested in some decent young fell
low, Ia like that, wouldn't you?"
would ye?"
Inc tone of this inquiry caused Gray to
glance more keenly at the speaker, but Bris-
koW,s bright eyes told him nothing.
why naturally. Allie is becoming more
attractive every day, and she is going to
do us all proud"
| AS soon as he was alone Gray eagerly re-
read his telegram from Wichita Falls 1t was
| from Barbara Parker-the first, by the wav
that he had ever receved-and he smiled
as the girls effort to be thoroughly business
! like, and at the same time to convey the fuI1
urgency of her message. Why had she
economlzed on words when every one was
| precious to him? Buy that we'll? OF course
ne would If she so earnestly desired it, But
what was better by far than the prospect of
| a prohtable purchase was the fact Of her
personal interest in him. When It came tn
the last line Of her message, Bob" had
plunged into a ten-word riot of extrava-
gance.
"The bird is darling have named him
after you"
1t was late that night. The southbound
hyer mad gone through The Brsloows were
slttln@ in the pleasant parlor of their hand
some suite, but they were like three mourn
ers. Ma and Pa were soberly discussing the
news about Buddy Allegheny was staring
IN somber meditation at nothing The girl
was bitter, rebellious, for never had she felt
| so utterly alone as at this moment To that
questlon which monotonously repeated itself.
she could form no answer. Did he care. or
was 1t all pity-just his way?
She heard his name and her own men,
TONED, and she became attentive whats
that! he wants me to meet these people
don't like 'em:"
He says you're goin ahead tremendous.
and Wen all be proud OF YOU. Mebbe vou'Ii
meet some nice young feler-"
sharp. 0@7 ""'
IGENTOT exactly, but"
Y Allegheny rose with an exclama,
ton of anger. well, I won't meet
EN-. He'd better min his own business,
1inID