Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-27
FLOWING GOLD
RY REX BEACH
CHAPTER VII.-CONTINUED


meanwhile continuing assiduousy to cult
vate the moneyed men Of Dallas.
| He was relieved one day to receive a tele-
gram from Gus Briskow asking him to meet
Ma and Allie at the evening train and get
them a hotel He managed. to secure a good
| suite at the Ajax, and it with genuinely
pleasurable anticipation that he drove to the
station.
Dismay smote him, however at first sight
of the new arrivals Ma Briskow resembled
nothing so much one of those hidous
| "crayon engagements" he had seen in farm
| houses-atrocties of art long dead.
If the mothers appearance was unusual the
daughters was startling, what with her size
! and the barbaric latitude of color she had
INDUCED herself in. Allegheny's get-uP
screamed.
They were enough to daunt stronger man
than Calvin Gray, these two. He could well
imagine the sensation he and they would Gre
ate in the lobby of the modish Ajax. But
his first surprise was succeeded by a gentle
pity, for Ma Briskow greeted him raptuously,
and in Allegheny's somber eyes he detected
a look Of mingled suffering and defiance.
Enthusiastically he took charge of Mas lunch
basket against Allies muttered protest he
despoiled her of her bilious, nearleather suit
case
Allie answered his phone call about o'clock
the next morning.
Ready for breakfast" he inquired
"Why we ct at daylight" she told him, in
some establishment. Il been ridin since
then"
Indeed! Putting roses in your cheeks. eh.
With whom did you go?"
ooh, Of the elevator men"
"But-but-" Gray sputtered, deeply shock
ed. why, Miss Briskow, they're negroes
Riding with a niger! My heavens! Where
did you 60"
Nowhere. Just up and down"
1t was moment before the man could
speak, then he said in queerly repressed
voice: "That-is quite different I'll run
down and get bite and join you in no time"
Seems awful funny not to have any house
work to do in the morning. Ma Briskow
confessed, they left the Ajax "a hotel
would spoil me in no time"
Il couldn't keep her from maxim up the
beds" Allie announced
Gray took the elder womans hand in his
and scolded her gently. Smilingly, he dec
tured her the art of doing nothing, and
voiced some elemental truths about living
The mother nodded, bit vaguely. That's
kind of like Pa talks. He sent yu this, and
says tell you it's first spendn' spree and
act accordin'." From her pocket she drew a
folded check, made out in blank to Calvin
Gray and signed by Gus Brfskow
SO! | assume that I'm to. pay the bills
Very well. The sky is the limit, eh?"
That's it. Of course, 1 don't need any
thing for myself-this dress and bonnit are
good enough-but Allies got to have new
fixin's from the inside out I spose her
thingsl1 eat up the best part of a hundred
dollars won't they?" The speakers look of
worried inquiry bespoke lifetime of habitual
economy
We're not going to buy what you need,
Dut just what you want. You're going to
have just as many pretty things as Allie"
Mrs. Briskow gasped, she rolled her eyes
and famed herself; she appealed to Allie
gheny, but it was evident that the latter
had kept her eyes open and had done some
thinking, for she broke out, passionately.
You make me sick, Ma! It'll take all Pa
can afford, and then some, to make us look
like other people"
Gray determined that the girl should not he
disappointed if he could help it, so he went
olrecClyy to the head salesWoman of the first
store, and asked her to assume the role Of
counselor where circumstances compelled him
to relinquish it. Although the woman agreed
to his request, he found before long that his
trust in her had been misplaced. Not only
did she threaten to take advantage of her
ONSN"ANANiH 4SAiO1
she displayed poorly yelled contempt for and
amusement at his charges
For once in his life Calvin Gray was at
loss, and knowledge of that fact caused
him to chew savagely at his cigar En-
gagged thus, he became aware of a slranger1
who looked on at the pitiful comedy without
amusement. She was a pretty thing Gray
stared at her openly and his scowI vanished
When she moved away he made a sudden
decision, excused himself, and followed her
He was gratified at the manner in which
she accepted his breathess apology Tor
speaking to her.
i you can save the reason of a distracted
man and add to the happiness Of two poor.
oeWlldered women, if you will" he conclud-
ed, earnestly. 1T isn't a funny situation;
it's tragic"
What do you wish me to doq" tho oirl
inquired
It's lot to ask, I know, but WON'T YOU
help them buy the things they need and save
them from further humiliation at the hands
or these highbrow clerks and Iowbrow Gus
TONER'S? II want to punch somebody in
the nose"
II was sure you did. That is what at
tracted my attention.
You are person of taste, if you will
pardon total stranger and they need such
Womans guidance. But they need even
more little bit of feminine tact ana cyr
pathy. Look He showed Gus Briskow's
o1ahk check The whole store is theirs if
tHey wish 1t. Think what that ought to
mean to two poor starved creatures 1Io
nave never owned enough clothing to wad
a shotgun"
/ have all day,''Lthe young woman con-
pretty things" 'D0
20 messenger from heaven" he cried
more more hopefully. Would it appear presump-
9Cy bod