, because he flattered me by
pretending to admire me. It was a unique experience. I took Buddy for
my own. Will you let me handle this matter?" The speaker looked from
one parent to the other, and they saw that his face was grimly set.
"Give me my way and I'll bring that young rascal to time or--" He
shrugged, he smiled faintly. "Give me permission to treat him as if he
really were my own, will you?"

"You got my leave," said the father; but Ma Briskow bristled.

"Don't you dast to hurt him," she cried.

Again Gray shrugged, this time with resignation. "As you will. I was
wild, myself; I think I know what he needs."

"You can't beat anything into Buddy's head." It was Allie speaking.
"After all, he's grown up, and what right has anybody got to interfere
with him? S'pose it _is_ a woman? S'pose she _is_ after his money? It's
his. Men can get what they want by payin' for it. An hour, a day, a
week of happiness! Ain't that worth all Buddy 'll have to pay? I'd pay.
I'd go through torture the rest of my life--"

"_Allegheny Briskow!_" the mother exclaimed.

"Well, I would." The girl's voice broke, a sudden agitation seized her;
in passionate defiance she went on: "What's the use of wanting
something all your life and never getting it? What's money for if you
can't buy the one thing you want worst of all? That's where men have
got the best of it; they can buy love. I wish I was a man; I wish I was
Buddy! I'd have my day, my week--and as much more as I could pay for.
I'd have happiness that long if it broke my heart. But I'm a _girl_!"

It was with a sudden interest that Gray studied the speaker. Here was a
side to the Briskow character that he had not suspected, and it gave
him a new light upon Buddy, for brother and sister were much alike; it
showed him more clearly the size of the task he had volunteered to
undertake. He heard the father speaking, and reluctantly withdrew his
eyes from Allie's flaming face.

"He likes you, Mr. Gray, an' mebbe you could keep him from spoilin' his
hull life. That's what he's liable to do an'--I'm skeered. He wouldn't
listen to me. Boys don't listen to their fathers."

"I'll find him, Gus, and I'll make him listen to me. If it is drink,
I'll break him of it. If it is a woman--I'll break him of that, too,
for it can't be more than a passing fancy." Noting the tragic concern
that wrinkled Ma Briskow's face, he put an arm about her, saying more
gently: "Now, now! I won't deny you the lu