The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-05-24

Christianlikc.
"But-wc 'ain't even Eot an OPP
toni IL takes money 90 lease close
In stuff" Tom WAS bowlldorcd
"of course. And they Realised
that. or Bell did. "a seen as he'd had
time 10 collect himself Hut Il was
too late then. he had betrayed him
self and he knew Il. Oh. no was
sorci He'd have flung me out n
I'd been man, got mad too,
aud / told him Il made no real DIFF
ference whether / was hluffing or
not: the Jig was up, 30 lar na he
was concerned / reminded him OF
what Henry had just said-that the
oil business h a game OF wits. and
that when YOU know what tho other
fellow Is doing you have him licked.
admitted that he could probably
keep me from getting tho lease. but
could also keep him from gcttins
T.. Ben nearly had stroke at that
threat, Henry behaved very decent
~ turnout / think u must have
pleased him 20 ind that somebody
In Wichita. besides him, had the
courage 10 defy his father, anyhow,
he said. '"Bob" has beaten IA at
our own game. She knows enough
now 10 place that lease In half an
hour. and ! think we'd better take
her in. Otherwise she'll wire knute,
and he'll probably protect her for
an interest
That made me feel Rwfully
fraudulent. but his smarty remarks
about women IN the oil business stan
ranked. 90 ] Just sat pretty and
bllnked like n little owl. Bell sworc,
In his best and most horrible man
ncr. he sworc. but-he gave in."
Bob" laughed again. a bit hyutcrl'
cally. That's about all. dad. They
agreed 20 put up tho money and
carry me--us. / mean-for quarter
interest n can set the lease from
Knute Hoaglund, so. I'm leaving
on tho night train"
"Sonl lin darned n ! don't
believe well make a so OF this bust
ness" Tom Parker declared.
With little cry Barbara flung
herself into his arms.
The publicity Calvin Gray received
from his exploit at Ranger could be
nothing excep, agreeable 10 one Of
his temperament Gratefully he
haslSed In his notorleiy. meanwhile
continuing asaidu0uuly 20 cultivate
tho moneyed men OF Dallas. Ills
sudden leap into prominence aroused
curiousliy among tho wives ano
families Of tho latter. and he be
camo the recipient OF some social
attentions. He accepted every inyi
tatlon. and 40 wen did he carry
himself In company. 30 ornamental
and engaging was he ns a dinner
guest. that he was soon Ia great de-
mand. Hs POSSESSED accomplish.
ments. too. that increased tho re.
spect Of his masculine acquaint.
anccs. For instance. he displayed n
proficiency nj golf quite unusual In
men of athletic training. and they
argued that any man who could do
par whenever he felt like Il mus,
DO either a professional or n person
OF limltiess leisure. And llmltlcas
leisure means lImitlcss funds.
Gray ssudlously maintained hts
air OF financial mystery: he was In
aud out OF offices, always purpose.
ful. always In a hurry. but always
with sufficient tlmo TO observe the
stricfcst nicetics OF polite behavior
II was a part OF his plan 60 create
an atmosphere OF his own. to en-.
phaslze his knack for quick. deei.
sive. vel. calcuiatcd notion. The
money he received from Coveriy en-.
abled him 10 maintain tho posture
no had assumed: no spent Il with
his usual prodigality. receiving little
direct benefit, but making each dol.
lar look like four. Extravagance
with him was an art. money ran out
OF his pockets like water. but altho
he was already In n position to
| borrow. he did not do so. He mere.
~ marked time. deriving grim
amusement at tho way his popular.
ity grew as his currency dwlndled.
II was a game. enjoyable as long as
II lasted Egotistical he knew him.
self TO be. but Il was n conscious
fault: to tickle his own vanity filled
him with the same satisfaction n
cat feels NJ having It's back rubbed.