The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-23

Its true. And when you sent me Away to school I promised myself I'd try to repay you for the sacrifice you must be making for me; that I'd fol- low your example as nearly as ever could; that I'd work hard and try to treat people the way you do-kindly, Nat, and considerably and bravely and tenderly and honestly"-
 He dropped into a chair near her and buried his head in his hands "Don't?' he begged huskily. Please, Betty, don't"
 She bent forward and took one of his hands, batting it softly. 'tNat, think you're the very best man in the whole worldr'
 "Don'tw he groaned. Don't, for heavens saker' , "Oh. know, Natl know you don't ' like me to say this, but must, just the same, tell you the truth about my self. It's so splendid to live the life you do. You're all unconscious of it, but I want you to realize it and know that do too. You've made everybody love you. and"-
 But confusion silenced her, and she gently replaced his hand. For several moments neither spoke. Then Nat broke the tension with short, hard laugh.
 That's right: he said inscrutably; '.that was the idea"
 Nat, what do you meanw
 He turned to her. Betty, does it make you-feel that way toward me?'
 She coiored divinely. "Why, Nat, of course. Why. every one''-
 That's why I came here, Betty" he pursued, blind to her embarrass- ment. "I came here with the idea of getting married"
 He was staring gloomily at the floor and could not see the light that dawn ed upon the girls face.
 "You never guessed that, did you?" 'sNo,'' she breathed brokenly. "No, Nat, I'-
 Well. it's the truth. and''- He rose and moved away. But can't. tell you just now-not now"
 No, not now, Nat" Betty, too, got up. ''I think I'd better go home and i faltered. half blinded by the mist of the happiness before her eyes.
 ''No-wait." She stopped to find his gaze full upon her. For the first time he comprehended that she had not understood-that, worst of all, she had misunderstood. T must tell you," he blurted desperately; 'I must.''
 Instinctively she moved a step to- ward him. He hung his head.
 Tonight, Betty-this evening, just little while ago, I became engaged to Josie Lockwood"
 She stood as if petrifed throughout wait that seemed to both intermi- nable
 -Oh. Nat, dear," she said, "I'm so glad for yoE. l wish you all the hap piness in the world. T. Good night"
 The hand slipped ott of Mats. He did not move, but waited there with his empty palm outstretched. despair in his eyes and hell in his heart, while she walked quietly from the store
 After some time he awoke to the knowledge that she was gone.
 'sBlithering foolr he growled. "Why didn't l know I loved her like this? ?' He took a turn to and fro, distracted. And now I've made mess of every thing. Good Lord. what can I do? I must do something or go madv' He swung round behind the soda fountain counter and seized a bottle. T know what, The rules are off. I can have a drink I can have two drinks! I can have a million drinks if I want 'emr'
 Pouring a generous dose of raw whisky into the glass, he lifted it to his lips and threw back his head. But the heavy bouquet of the liquor was stifing in his nostrils, and the first mouthful of it almost choked him. In a fury he flung the glass from him so that it crashed and splintered upon the floor "Great heavens" he cried, "I don't like the stuff any more! But his gaze fell upon the cigar case-'I can have a smoke. ThatIl help somev'
 With feverish haste he snatched cigar from the nearest box, gnawed of one end and, thrusting the other into the alcohol lighter. puffed vigor ously. But to his renovated palate the potent fumes of the tobacco were no less repugnant than the whisky had been Half strangled, he plucked the cigar from his mouth and stamped on it.
 "Oh," he cried wildly, "I'll be-I'n be damnedr'
 He paused, staring vacantly at noth- ing. And even that doesn't do any good, God help me, Eve forgotten how to swearr'
 To him in this overwrought state came Tracey, numbering cheerfully in, his mouth shaped for a whistle. At s1ght of Nat he pulled up as if hit by . club.
 "Evenin', MT Duncan. Whats the matter?"
 By an effort Nat brought his gaze to bear upon the boy and comprehend ed his existence.
 '.Ain't you feelin' well, MT. Duncan?"
 -'No-rottenr'
 Whats the matter?"
 Nothing" Nat shouted ferociously.
 s'Anything kim
 '.Ner
 r