our aid only upon the condition that your attentions
to her should be characterized by the deepest respect. So? Well then,
'how come'?"

"That was just a lucky chance. She's got some interests here; stocks
an' things, belongin' to the _es_-tate. She dunno, herself, how
valuable they are, but me comin' right from Texas an' bein' in oil an'
all, she ast me to he'p her out. So I got her to come. All that had
kep' her back was the expense. Mind you"--Buddy's tone became one of
deeper admiration--"she ain't blue, or anything. No sir-ee! Her life's
been sad, but you'd never know it. She's full of pep; allus out for
fun, an'--that's what I like about her. Gee! You gotta meet her, Mr.
Gray."

"Well, rather! But meanwhile, we must telegraph your parents not only
that you have been found, but also the further good news."

"I--We better not say anything about my gettin' married."

"Why not? They'd like to know."

"I'd oughta wired 'em long ago, but--you understand! Miss Montague
ain't exactly Ma an' Allie's kind."

"You're not ashamed of her?"

"Hunh!" The tone of this exclamation was an eloquent denial.

"Then let's have them come on and get acquainted. They'll probably take
right to her." But when this suggestion met with disapproval, Gray
inquired: "Is it because you are ashamed of _them_--of your mother and
sister?"

Buddy stirred uneasily. "Pshaw, no!" A sudden thought came to him.
"Why, it's this way: I haven't ast her yet. Mebbe she won't have me. If
she says yes--I'll let 'em know."

"Good! We'll make it, for the time being, a mere message of
reassurance. 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. Matters of moment were at issue there, and with a love
affair of his own upon his mind he could think of no undertaking less
to his taste than this: of saving a young fool from his folly. He could
expect no thanks, if he succeeded, and if he failed he would in all
probability incur Buddy's enmity, if not that of the whole Briskow
family. Families are like that. It would all take time, and meanwhile
his business was bound to suffer. However, he was not one to turn back,
and he remembere