Part 48 (1/2)

”Unfortunately, such people are rare.”

”I don't know but one.”

”Indeed? Who is he?”

”I reckon you know,” said Briskow.

The listener looked up with quickened interest; there was a sharp ring to his voice when he said: ”Let me get this right.”

”You're the only man I ever knowed that I'd bank my life on. An' you're smart. You wouldn't take Buddy, but mebbe you'd kinda--take me; take all of us. I tell you I'm skeered!”

”Just how much confidence do I inspire in you?” Gray's expression was peculiar, for amazement, doubt, eagerness were equally blended.

”This much: I'd turn the hull works over to you, if you'd look out for us.”

”You--scarcely know me.”

”Oh, I know you well enough!” Briskow smiled his slow, shrewd smile.

”So does Ma. So does Allie an' Bud.”

For quite a while the caller sat with head bowed, with his gaze fixed upon the flames; when he looked up his face was red, his eyes were brighter than usual.

”To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved. Yes, and it's h.e.l.l to be born with a conscience.” He fell silent again, for this was a moment to be treasured and he could not let it pa.s.s too quickly. ”You say you want nothing to do with oil?”

”Anything but that. I know it so well, an'--Ma's gettin' feeble.” Again silence. ”Of course, if you'd do it, I wouldn't ask no questions. I'd rather shut my eyes an' trust you than keep 'em open an'--”

”You don't know how much I'd like to say yes, but I fought Buddy to prevent him from making a mistake, and I sha'n't allow you to make this one.”

”Hm-m! Will you keep me from makin' _other_ mistakes?”

”I will, if I can.”

”Mebbe that's enough. Anyhow, I'll sleep better to-night for seein'

you.”

”I think I hear Ma stirring,” said Gray, as he rose. ”I brought her a few little presents, and I'd like to take them up to her.” As he left the room there was the same queer light in his eyes; nevertheless, he moved slowly, like a man tired.

CHAPTER XXV

Gray was shocked at the change in Ma Briskow. She had failed surprisingly. Pleasure lit her face, and she fell into a brief flutter of delight at seeing him; but as soon as their first greeting was over he led her to her lounge and insisted upon making her comfortable. He had tricks with cus.h.i.+ons and pillows, so he declared; they became his obedient servants, and there was a knack in arranging them--the same knack that a robin uses in building its nest. This he demonstrated quite conclusively.

It was nice to have a great, masterful man like this take charge of one, and Ma sighed gratefully as she lay back. ”It does kinda feel like a bird's nest,” she declared. ”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. Next, he drew down the shades, shutting out the dreary afternoon, after which he lit the gas log, and soon the room, whether by reason of his glowing personality or his deft rearrangement of its contents, or both, became a warm and cheerful place.

He had brought other gifts than flowers, too; thoughtful, expensive things that fairly took Ma's breath. No one had ever given her presents; to be remembered, therefore, with useless, delightful little luxuries filled her gentle soul with a guilty rapture.

But these were not gifts in the ordinary sense; they were offerings from the Duke of Dallas, and his manner of presenting them invested every article with ducal dignity. The Princess Pensacola had not played for a long time, and so to recline languidly in a beautiful j.a.panese kimono, with her feet in a pair of wonderful soft boudoir slippers spun by the duke's private silkworms and knit by his own oriental knitting slaves, while he paid court to her, was doubly thrilling.