Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-29
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XXIX-CONTINUE

vt was midafternoOn. SWope and Lowe
had left the bank, Briskow drew deep
- breath and said, with genuine relief:
I'm glad that's over. We handle the
debt between us, an, after all, Old Bells
a pretty good citizen. AS for Henry,
spose he'll wriggle out of it, somehow. l
dunno I'd Of been easy on him If I'd
been in your place"
Gray confessed I'm tired of fighting; I'm
worn out. I've won my point, and he'll
carry the sort of load I've been carrying
But there is the differences: for him there
will be no vindication at the end" Taking
from his pocket Nelson's statement, he
stared at it, then slowly his face lightened.
"D'you. know why 1 felt this thing so
keenly? Why I fought so long? Of course
you don't, for I've held out on you. Fact!
I've held out my partner-had a secret
for him. Now, then, steel yourself for
surprise. I'm suffering from Buddy's COM
plant only ten times aggravated"
"What?" Briskow stared up at the AMI
mated countenance above MIN. YOU
thinkin' about gettin marr1ed?
I'm thinking about nothing else. That's
what ais me- Why, Gus, you've no idea
what a perfectly charming person [ can he
when-when [ can be what L ain. thought
[ was too old and too blase ever to be-
come seriously interested in woman above
all in girl but-Do you remember when
Ma and Allie came to Dallas that first time?
Something happened about then to upset
all my IDEAS"
Briskows sun-parched face slowly light
ened, his bright inquisitive eyes grew
bluer, brighter. "I'm-mighty glad I allus
hoped" He tried to finish his sentence,
then shook his head and murmured husk-
lily, mighty glad!'
Here was marvel miracle, for which
he had never dared even hope He thought
Of Allie and a lump came into his throat
She had reached the stars. His girl! she
would be mighty glad, too
Gray was speaking, and in his voice was
new, vibrant quality, new vigor. Nov
you'll know why this is the biggest day OF
my life; why 1 thought those men would
never go. I'm shaking all over, Gus. You'll
have to run the bank for awhile; I'm too
young and irresponsible. I'm going out to
buy hoop and jumping rope and pair
of roller skates"
When he beheld the familiar painted
sign, "Tom and Bob Parker, Real Estate
and Insurance." he paused. The mere sight
of the little wooden building, the name,
gave him odd shortness of breath 1t
was weeks since he had been here.
1t was a disappointment to find the
office empty, except for the father himself,
but Gray began with a rush, "Well, I told
you I'd clear myself, and-here I am, walk
ing on air.
"You did it, Ell? That's good news"
eve had a showdown at the bank. Henry
Nelson and I locked horns and But here!
Read what he signed That cleans the slate.
He'll do anything further that may be nee
essary, officially. Where's Bob?"
"They're fishin' for a bit in one of your
Avenger wells. She's out there
$50? I'd forgotten
Did you see? Did Buddy have a talk
with you? Today, [ mean?"
Buddy? Oh, Buddy BrisHow! I saw him
only She'll he ack
dare say
Tom Parker stirred; it was a moment
before he spoke, then it was with ap
parent irreleyance that he said: "I'm sorry
you and he didn't have a good talk. Bob
asked him to see you-sent him there a
purpose" The sight of Gray's smiling,
eager, uncomprehending face caused the old
mans steady gaze to weaver. He cleared
his throat. "Buddys fine boy"
Finest in the world I claim RESPONSE
b1lity for him. in way. He's part mine"
Gray laughed; his eyes sparkled
Him and Bob are out there together.
They've been together a lot Mr.. Gray. Both
OF EN- young that-away-"
"Of course. I knew you'd both like"
Some quality of Toms voice, some reluctant
evasiveness to his eyes, bore a belated
message to the younger man-snapped his
chain of thought-dried the words upon his
| lips. Into his eyes leaped a sudden, strain
ed increduity. Sharply, he cried, what
''Why did he want to see me?" The two
men gazed squarely at each other for the
first time. my God! Why-that's alb
surd! i brought him here. He's Just
boy!"
81 didn't notice how things was going
till it was too late. We might as well
talk frankly, Mr.. Gray. Probly it's we'll
you saw me first, Ell? Well, when [ under
stood where they was heading, L worried
lot-after what you said that day. under
stand? But those two! Pshaw, 1t was like
they had known each other always"
Then they've settled it between
them?"
Tom nodded gravely. "She told me last
night. And from the way she told me,
know it's not just boy and girl love. She's
been singing like a bird all day. And Bob
by! He's breathess 1 know how ne feels.
[ couldn't draw full breath for two weeks
after 'Bob's' mother"
Gray uttered a wordless, gasping cry.
He moved unsteadiIy toward the door, then
paused with his hand upon the knob Tom
Parker was surprised when after a moment
he saw the mans shoulders shake and heard
him utter thin cackling laugh. thine is
grim old joker, isn't he? No way of beat
ing him, none at all. Now I thought I was
young, but Lucky 1 found you here
and spared my vanity"
Concluded in Tuesdays Issue.
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