Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 24, 2025
"Um-m! I ought to punch your head." Gray slipped the case into young Briskow's pocket. "I don't have to bribe people. Some day you'll realize that I like you." "Honest?" "Cross my heart." The boy laughed in frank delight, his brown cheeks colored, his eyes sparkled. "Gosh!" said he. "I like you!"
Briskow's face cleared. "That's what I figgered on, but I didn't know what you called 'em. That's why I'm sorry you're so well off. Y' see I'd of paid you anything I'd of doubled whatever you're gettin' " The speaker raised a hopeful gaze; he paused as if to make sure that his hearer was beyond temptation. "I thought mebbe him and you'd like to travel some go to furrin places see the hull world.
"And you kinda look like a robin, too; you're allus dressed so neat." "Exactly," he chuckled. "Robins are the very neatest dressers of all the birds. But look! Like a real robin, I've brought spring with me." He opened a huge box of long-stemmed roses and held their cool, dewy buds against Ma Briskow's withered face, then, laughing and chatting, he arranged them in vases where she could see them.
It was a hellish picture; it remained indelibly fixed upon Allie Briskow's mind. As she looked on in horrid fascination, she saw the derrick change into a latticelike tower of flame, saw its upper part begin slowly to crumble and disintegrate. The force with which the gas issued blew the blaze high and held it dancing, tumbling in mid-air, a phenomenon indescribably weird and impressive.
And to think that he had allowed that dancing monkey to escape when he could have shot him as well as not! Briskow's chain of thought was broken by a slap on the back that nearly drove him through the cashier's window; then by a loud, cheery greeting. The next moment he found himself actually embraced by Gus could not believe his eyes by Calvin Gray!
Mrs. Briskow's wrinkled face beamed. "Think of a gre't big man like you playin' 'pretend' with a foolish old woman like me! I thought you had more sense." "I live in my own land of 'pretend, just as you do. Why, I have a real princess of my own." "Honest?" Gray nodded. "The Princess of Wichita Falls. Would you like to hear about her?
"Are you a fortune hunter, Mr. Gray?" "I am." Gray's face instantly lighted. "I am the most conscienceless fortune hunter you ever met, but I am hunting my own fortune, not Allie Briskow's." "You needn't laugh. She's very unusual and But I dare say you wouldn't tell me, anyhow." "If I have excited your curiosity, I am delighted," Gray declared. "Please let me return at lunch time and gratify it.
A little liquor went a long way with the boy; he derived much effect, many by-products, so to speak, from even a few drinks, and the elder man was forcibly reminded of Gus Briskow's statement that his son had a streak of the Old Nick in him. It was true; Buddy was indeed like a wild horse.
He was a gentleman of importance it was indeed unfortunate the management appreciated Mr. Briskow's patronage they hoped he and his family would return to the Notch sometime. "Mebbe you got some other rooms that would do us," Gus ventured. It was too bad, but the hotel was overcrowded.
To-night you and Miss Montague shall dine with me and we'll go to a theater." This arrangement met with young Briskow's enthusiastic approval, and so it was left. It was with something more than mere impatience that Calvin Gray awaited the dinner hour; he was angry, restless; his mind was back in Wichita Falls, whence the message from his detective had abruptly summoned him.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking