ng upon the lips of
decent people. Scalawags like that were not to be tolerated. It seemed
incredible that Gray could be one.

Yes, and "Bob" liked the fellow--but so did he, for that matter. In
great perturbation of spirit Tom consulted Judge Halloran.

The judge listened to him in astonishment; angrily he cried: "The idea
of his paying court to 'Bob'! The insufferable insolence of it! Why, I
consider it a personal affront."

"Where do _you_ come in to get all het up?" Tom growled.

"_What?_" Halloran's irascible face reddened. '"Where do I--'? My God!
Haven't I--? Don't I stand in _loco parentis_ to the girl?"

"You ain't as _loco parentis_ to her as I am. She's my son. Trouble is,
I like Mr. Gray. You don't think Henry could be lying?"

"He wouldn't dare. It is too serious. No, Tom, there's just one thing
to do; you and I will go directly to the scoundrel, tell him we are
aware of his infamy, and order him out of town. Ha! That's the way to
go about it; cut deep and quickly. Tar and feathers are too good for--"

"Trouble is," Tom repeated, with a reluctant sigh, "I like him and I
ain't sure--"

"The trouble is you're a weakling!" Halloran snapped. "You are
a--sentimentalist. You lack my stern, uncompromising moral fiber.
_Like_ him? Pah! What has that to do with it? I have no weakness, no
bowels of compassion. I am a Spartan. I am--"

"You're a damned old fool--if you think you can run _him_. He's liable
to run you."

Judge Halloran was furious at this; he was hurt, too. He sputtered for
a moment before managing to say: "Have it your own way. You are trying
to be unpleasant--not that it requires conscious effort--but I won't
argue with you."

"Don't! I hate arguments. That's why I don't like to talk this over
with Mr. Gray. When I'm mad enough to argue I'm mad enough to fight,
and I fight better than I argue."

If, indeed, Calvin Gray's affairs were in a condition as precarious as
Nelson believed, he showed no signs of it when he returned to Wichita
Falls. On the contrary, he was in an exultant mood, and even on the
train young Briskow, who accompanied him, was amazed at the change that
had come over his friend. With every mile they traveled Gray's buoyancy
increased and upon his arrival he trod the street to his office like a
conqueror. McWade and Stoner, who came in for a conference with minds
preoccupied and faces grave, left with a smile and a jest.

When they had gone, Gray rose with relief and s