Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-01
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER xxx
Ma Saws a Praye,

control himself to do so, he telephoned
Gus Brfskow, telling him that he intended
to leave town. Then he began mechanically
| to pack his bag. He moved like a man
| in a trance, for the blow had fallen so
suddenly as to numb him; his only impulse
| was to escape, to hide himself from these
I people who, of a sudden, had become hate
! full.
When night came he took his bag and
! SUNK out of the hotel, for it seemed that
| men must surely know what a fool he had
made of himself. 1t would have been a
relief to feel that he was leaving never to
return; but even that was denied him. for,
| after his first panic, the truth had come
home. He could not away.
| He thought of Ma Briskow finally. She
was human; she had heart. He bought
a ticket to Dallas.
Mr.. Briskow's eyes were dim; neverthe-
less, she saw the change in Calvin Gray
when late the following afternoon, he
came to see her
Land sakes}" she exclaimed, in a shock
ed voice. "Pa never said you was ailin'
Why, Mr.. Gray"
I'm not really ill.," he told her, YEARLY,
Just Old I've had a bad night" Seating
himself beside her couch he took her
, hand in his and made her tell him all
about herself. He had brought her an arm
1ui OF flowers, as usual, and extravagant
gifts for her adornment-giving it seem
ed' was his unconscious habit. While she
ADMIRED them with ecstatic "Ohs!" and
Ans! ne busted himself with bowls and
vases but Ma noted his fumbIing uncer-
tainty of touch and evident effort with
winch he kept up his assumption of good
cheer She told him, finally:
something mighty bad has happened to
you, Mr.. Gray" ~
He gazed at her muteIv. then noddod
lis it something about the-the Prtn-
cess of Wichita Falls?"
Yes, Ma"
o,,; Inere wa. was long silence, then Ma in
CURED Would you like to tell me some
tnng about the little princess? some
tunes it helps, to talk"
Mot yet"
won't you stay an have supper with
Cue a. an me? We're awful lonesome with
"a gone. Allies out som'er's, butt would
40 me good to know YOU was bare ON,
It'll do you good to stay You can rest
yourself while I take my nap"
wa Brlskow did not wish to take nan
o9t she knew that Gray needed the solace
u MS own thoughts just now. so whom
ne agreed she sent him downstairs ,,
Gray's brain, like his body. had grown
tlted ana feVerish. To be sure little more
, Inah DAY had gone by since he had SAL
lIeu Iorth like knight, but it seemed q
year, an age and every hour broueht nav,
and keener distress. 110"
ne 1ound it possible now, for the first
Inc 10 relax bit physically so he, closed
ms eyes and lay back in an easv cbpir
"n9e me twilight stole in upon him
house. bu bo
ana not stir. He would have ~ NJ ne
Cne mask soon enough, for. of course she
Tu9C never suspect, on Buddy's occoun+
Inc room which had grown agreeabiy dark
was suddenly illuminated, and he urched
fpor ms leet TO find the girl facing him
- oln Inc door. She was neither STARTLED
nor surprised at his presence and -
n ne erleo TO smile and to greet her in his
by saying: "p'e" MIN
knew you We're here"
30! Then Ma is awake againq,,
Aille shook her head vaguely az 1..
yOu "el9 mere the minute came in cor
most always tell" There had been sb, do an
vi d smile upon her lips, but it vanished .
' LOOK OF growing concern crept over her face
mno' 'ne matter? Whatever has hap.
pened, Mr. Gray?"
why, nothing. I Vas feeling tired worn
out. INDUCING myself in Thoroughly en-
Joyabie tit of the blues" His voice broke
when he tried to laugh.
AlIe uttered a quick, low cry, wordIess
aynpathetlc sound. Her dark eyes widenod
grew darker; she came forward ston ~
two, when she halted Would Won ratbor
De alone?' she asked. He signified his dis.
Sent ana she went on: Il know what tbe
olues are like. l sit alone in the dark
good deal" 0lN I"
she busted herself about the room for q
Few moments, Strengthening things, adjusting
"h'oCo' AIlle HaQ the knaCk of
'lIehce' blessed attribute in man or woman
ana 10 Grays surprise he found that her moro
presence was comforting. She startled him
oy saying suddenly:
You're hurt Hurt badv,"
ne looked up at her with an instructive de-
! nial upon his lips, but, realizing the futilitv
OF deceit, he nodded, YES Allie"
Inc girl drew deep breath her strong
nands closed, harshly she said 81 couJd xiii
4nyoody that hurt you. wanted to kill
nUouy that time Is it those Nelson's? Have
they got you down." There was sonootbino
iierce ana masterful in Allies concern. and
ner INQUIRY carried with it even more than
profter OF help; she had, in fact flung her
self into protective attitude. She suggested
notnlng so much as lioness reused,
NO, no! 1t is nothing like that mero1,,
iooled myselt-had a dream You wouldn't
understand, my dear"
Allie studied him soberly for a momen+
on yes, l would! I Go. | understand ner'
Iecuy Nobody could understand as we'll as
do?" 90 wen DIS
what do you mean by that?"
We oeen hurt, too She laid hand upon
"en breast Ihats why sit in the dark"
WY GEAR enid! I'm sorry. Gus said YOU
Tue new llte You're young; YOU can forgot
IL only US old ones who can't forget some
Iirae You must tell me all about it." The pirI
smiled falntIy, but he nodded, positively. ooh
II relief to tell somebody! I feel bot4or
already for cOnfiding in Ma Yes. and vour
| sympathy Is mighty soothing too It seems
almost as if I had come home" He closed
MS eyes and laid his head back.
Ahie placed her hand upon his forehead
anu 1eld II there for a moment before she
nr1ueo away 1t was a cool and tranquilizing