again, a bit hysterically. "That's about all, dad. They agreed to
put up the money and carry me--us, I mean--for a quarter interest
if I can get the lease from Knute Hoaglund. So, I'm leaving on the
night train."

"Son! I--I'm darned if I don't believe we'll make a go of this
business," Tom Parker declared.

With a little cry Barbara flung herself into his arms.
* * * * *

The publicity Calvin Gray received from his exploit at Ranger could be
nothing except agreeable to one of his temperament. Gratefully he
basked in his notoriety, meanwhile continuing assiduously to cultivate
the moneyed men of Dallas. His sudden leap into prominence aroused
curiosity among the wives and families of the latter, and he became
the recipient of some social attentions. He accepted every invitation,
and so well did he carry himself in company, so ornamental and
engaging was he as a dinner guest, that he was soon in great
demand. He possessed accomplishments, too, that increased the respect
of his masculine acquaintances. For instance, he displayed a
proficiency at golf quite unusual in men of athletic training, and
they argued that any man who could do par whenever he felt like it
must be either a professional or a person of limitless leisure. And
limitless leisure means limitless funds.

Gray studiously maintained his air of financial mystery; he was in
and out of offices, always purposeful, always in a hurry, but
always with sufficient time to observe the strictest niceties of
polite behavior. It was a part of his plan to create an atmosphere