The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-19


 ther particulars. but Duncan seemed stuck. And you've made strong play for the fond affections of Lock woods daughter?''
 Certainly not"'
 "Not?
 "You forg0 your rules" Nat grin ned. whimsical. T let her to make a play for me-
 Of course My mistake. But how has it workedT'
 "Oh, immenser' Duncans tone. however. was wholly destitute of en- thusiasm. He stuck his hands in his away from his friend, looking out of the window.
 Kellogg smiled secretly. You mean you've won her already? Then you're engaged:" Kellogg had understood perfectly. you see
 "No, not yet. Eve got two months l left-almost.'
 ''So you have And since she's so strong for you there's no hurry. Let ! her take her time" 1 '1 only wish she would" Duncan removed one hand from the pocket the better to tug at his mustache. It's got beyond that-to the point where l have to keep lodging her."
 ''You don't mean it, That's splen- did" Kellogg got up and slapped Mats shoulder heartily. But don't overdo the lodging. She might get her back up."
 ''Not she. She'd eat out of my hand if I'd let her. You don't understand" !"
 "What's the matter. then? Aren't you strong for herr" | '1 wish I were"
 "But why? Is there another"-
 "No." Nat shook his head, honestly believing he. was telling the truth. | "Only don't look at things the way did once"
 Just what do you mean by thatw l Nat, sQuaring himself to face Kel- logg. was very serious now and trou- bled. See here. Harry" he said. do you really want me to carry out the rest of the agreement?"
 SMost certainly I do. Why not!"
 Because Pm pretty well fixed here. The business is making good. and so am I. It won't be long before I can pay you back. with interest. as we agreed. without having to marry that poor girl and draw on her money to make good to your
 You want to go back on your agree ment?" demanded Kellogg. with a show of disappointment and disgust.
 "Yes and no. I won't break faith ' scf hr1f <yivo lot if you'd let me off-let me pay 1 back what you advanced and cry quits. When you outlined this scheme was down and three times out. willing to {! take a chance at anything. no matter how contemptible. Now-well, it's diff ferent.'' | Good heavens. You don't mean you'd be willing to live here?"
 Nat smiled, but not mirthfully. '1 don't know" he hesitated. 'Tm afraid I'm beginning to like, it."
 "You. Nat?" Kellogg's amazement was unfeigned. You ready to spend your life here slaving away in this measly store:"
 Duncan grunted indignantly. Hold on, now. Don't you call this measly store. There isn't a more complete drug store in the stater'
 Do you hear that:" Kellogg ap- pealed vehemently to the universe at large. '1s it possible that this is Nat Duncan, the fellow who hated work so hard be couldn't earn a living? Cad, I believe I've arrived just in time" | 'In time for what?''
 "To save you from yourself, old man. Here's the neiress you came here to cop out ready and anxious, everything else coming your way, and and you're more than half inclined to back out. You make me tired.''
 'I suppose must But can't help 1t. I can't make you see how the thing looks to me. You know--IYe written you all about everything what this place has meant to me. Until I came here I never realized it was in me to make good at anything. But here I have. Pm doing so we'll that I'd actually have some self re- spect if I wasn't bound to play this low down. trick on Josie Lockwood. I've worked and succeeded and been OI SOue SeIfiCc tO pcUplE WuO SEkS ! worth it''-
 "Who' Sam GrahamT ~sSa ''He and his daughter"- sE:faBAi "Oh. his daughter:' 'Now. get that foolish idea out of your head. There's nothing in it. Betty's just simple, sweet little girl ! who's had a pretty hard time and never a real chance in Hfe-until managed to give it to her. And I'd feel pretty good about that if Oh. there's no use talking to you!'
 'No; go on. You're very entertain ing" Kellogg laughed mOckingly.
 'Well, I have tried to keep to the terms of our understanding. I singled out this Lockwood girl and worked all the degrees-didn't say much, you know-nO lovemaking-just let her catch me looking sadly at her once In awhile.''
 That's the way to work it.' 'Yes, that's the way" Nat assented gioomily.
 Gro be continued) INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATISM CURED IN DAYS Morton L. Hill. of Lebanon, Ind.