The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-19
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BEGIN HERE TODAY

BEGIN HERE TO-DAY
Calvin Gray and Colonel Henry
Nelson of Dallas are enemies. Gray
Is in love with Barbara Parker and
Nelson tells her father, Tom Parker
that Gray has been dishonorably
discharged from the army. Gray and
his friend, Gus Briskow, buy the
controlling interest in >:elson's
bank. They attend directors
meeting and Gray declares that he
was dishonorably discharged from
the army because OF Nelson's treach.
cry and that Nelson, having been
/ found out, was himself discharged
Gray brings Bud 5riskow, son of
Gus, to Dallas and introduces him
to Barbara Parker. Gray plans to
make Henry Nelson admit his
treachcry
NOW GO ON WITH STORY
Henry Nelson entered the bank
with his head up, with contemptu-
Gus smile upon his lips and an easy
confidence in hi; bearing. His hand
was outstrctched toward the knob
of Rriskows door, when the one ad-
Joining opened and, from the office
he himself had so long occupied
Calvin Gray spoke to him.
"Please step in here, Colonel"
Stiffly, reluctantly, as if impcllcd
| by some force outside of himself
Nelson stepped within, but he ig.
nored the chair that was profile rcd
him.
"Come! I've no time to waste"
"You will soon have ample time
if not to waste, at least to mcdi-
tate"
What do you mean by that?
The query came sharply.
1--WE had an examination Of tho
banks books. That, as you will
readily understand, explains why
sent for YOU" -.
"Why-no. I don't"
81 wondered how you and your
father got the money to keep going
SO long, for l discovered you were in
a bad way even before | turned IN
1t is no longer mystery. Whcr
you and he, as directors of tho Sc
curity National. lent yourselves
money, as individuals. you must
have realized that you werc-well
arranging leisure for yourself ir
which to mediate upon the strin
gency of the banking laws"
"Nonsense! That's n-nothing-
nothing serious" Nelson's rudd,
color had slowly vanished; with un
certain hand he reached for thu
nearest chair, and upon it he leaned
as he continued, jerkily: irregular
pcrhaps-I'll admit it was irregular
but-thcre's nothing wrong Oh
you'll make it look as bad as pos
aible, l dare say! But you dom
understand the circumstances. Any
how, father is getting it straighten
cd out; all he needs is time. Wei
be able to handle it, all right. We'r'
good, you know, perfectly good"
you're broke! Everybody cls'
knows it, if you don't. Irregular
Ha! There's a choice of words!" Tn,
speaker laughed silently. at is a,
irregularity. that carries with i
free board and lodging at the state
expense"
An incohereht protest issued from
Nelson's throat. When next h,
managed to make himself audible
his words were such as really t,
amaze his nearer. 81 didn't do it,
he cried, in panic-strckcn voice
at was fathers idea! You had u
crowded was no other way
| warned him"
"Wait minute! You blame it OF
him?' Gray's inquiry was harsh, in
credulous. After a momentar,
pause his lips moved, but for ono,
he stammered, his ready tongue re
fused its duty. He exploded, final
ly. with an oath; he jerked open ;
drawer in his desk. From his poe
ket he removed his revolver, fun,
it inside, then jammed the drawe
back into place with a crash. "You-
rat!" he exclaimed. He turned hi
back upon Henry Nelson and mad
circuit of the little room.
Its thing you and I can easil.
fix up" the latter feebly insisted
snow that personal matter of your
Perhaps l could help you reopel
it somehow, clear it up"
"Ah! Indced!"
"Give and take, I say. I'm will
ing to do anything can, if"
you'll do that, anyhow" Ora
replied, in a voice that grated. H
flung himself into his desk chat
and, Selling pen and paper, he be
gan to write rapidly, shakily..
81 want to see what Pm signing,
Nelson warned. A growl was hi
answer.
For an interminable time the onl
sound in the office was the scratch
ing of that pen. When at last i
came to an end, Gray rose, thrus
the loose sheets into Nelson's hant
then, indicating the vacant chair
said:
"Sign that"
The wretched recipient of thi
curt command read the lines care
fully. He read them twice, thrice
for his mind no longer functione
clearly. He raised sick face, final
ly, and shook his head.
Wouldn't l be. fool?" h
queried.
Listen, you" Gray's body wa