Part 40 (1/2)

”She will.”

Buddy gasped. ”You _sure?_”

”I'm quite sure she would if you asked her. But I don't want you to ask her.” When an expression of pained reproach leaped into the lad's face, the speaker explained, quickly: ”Don't think for a moment that I care for her, nor that she has the slightest interest in me. It is you that I care for. What you just said pleased me, touched me. I wish you could understand how much I really do care for you, Buddy. Won't you wait--a few days, before you--”

”I _can't_ wait.”

”You must.”

The men eyed each other steadily for a moment, then Buddy demanded, querulously, ”What have you got against her, anyhow?”

”You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”

”She told me everything there is to tell an' I told you. I don't care what she's done--if she ever done anything. She's had a hard time.”

”Will you wait forty-eight hours?”

”No.”

”Twenty-four?”

”Gimme that ring!” When Gray made no move the speaker ran on, excitedly: ”I'm a man. I'm of age. It's none of your business what I do--nor Pa's or Ma's, either. It won't do no good for them to come.”

Gray went to the door, locked it and pocketed the key. ”Buddy”--his voice was firm, his face was set--”you are a man, yes, although you were only a boy a few weeks ago. You are going to act like a man, now.”

”You goin' to try an' _hold_ me here?” The inquiry was one of mingled astonishment and anger, for young Briskow could scarcely believe his eyes. ”Don't do that, Mr. Gray. I--n.o.body can't _make_ me do anything.

Please don't! That's plumb foolish.”

”What if I told you that Miss Montague is--”

Buddy interrupted with a harsh cry. ”d.a.m.n it! I said I wouldn't listen to anything against her. I'm tellin' you, again, keep your mouth shut about her.” The youth's face was purple; he was trembling; his fists were clenched, and with difficulty he restrained even a wilder outburst. ”You can have the ring, but--you lemme out of here, quick.”

When this command went unheeded he strode toward the bedroom, intending to use the other exit, but his caller intercepted him. ”Lemme out!” the young man shouted.

”One of us is going to remain in this room, and I think it will be you.” As Gray spoke he jerked off his coat and flung it aside. ”Better strip, Buddy, if you mean to try it.”

Buddy recoiled a step. Incredulously he exclaimed: ”You--you wouldn't try _that_! This is my room. You must be crazy.”

”I think I am, indeed, to endure what I have endured these last two days; to make myself ridiculous; to be humiliated; to risk my business ruin just to save a young fool from his folly.” Impatience, resentment, anger were in the speaker's tone.

”I never ast you. You b.u.t.ted in--tried to cut me out. That's dirty. You was lyin' when you said--”

”Have it that way. I've run out of patience.”

Ozark Briskow, too, had reached the limit of his endurance; he exploded. Momentarily he lost his head and cursed Gray vilely. For answer the latter moved close and slapped him across the mouth, saying: ”Fight, you idiot!”

Buddy's low, gasping cry had the effect of a roar; it left the room echoing, then savagely he lunged at his a.s.sailant. He was blind, in him was a sudden maniacal impulse to destroy; he had no thought of consequences. Gray knocked him down.

It was a blow that would have felled an ox. As the youth lay half dazed, he heard the other taunting him, mocking him. ”Get up, you lummox, and defend yourself. You'll be a man when I get through with you.”