Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-19

dren things TO wear. You've got only
us two TO look after. and you can't
even do that. 1t isn't right. 1t isn't
decent. and If | were you I'd be
ashamed of myself
Her temper had spent itself. and
with this final cry She checked abrupt
" with catch nj her breath for
shame of what she had let herself say
But. childlike. she was not ready to
own her sorrow. and she turned her
back. trembling.
Sam. TOO. was shaken IL his heart
be knew there was justification for her
Indictment. truth in what she had said.
And he was heartbrOken for her He
cot up unsteadily and put gentle
hand upon her shoulder
why. Betty-I"-
4 dry sob interrupted him. He pull
ed himself together ard forced his
voice To 4 rome Of confidence. lust
be little patient. dear. I'm sure
things will be better with us soon.
JUST little more patience; that's all
Why. there was n gentleman here this
morning from MOO York city talkfn'
about an invention of mine"
The girl moved restlcssy. shaking
off his hand. Invention she echoed
bitterly. "Oh. father! Everybody
knows they're no good, You've been
wastfn' time on 'em ever since I can
remember and you've never made q
dollar out OF one yet"
He bowed to the truth of this. then
again braced up braveIy. But this
gentleman seemed quite interested.
He's over to the BiCelow House now.
I think I'll step over and have a talk
with him
You'd much better go and have n
talk with Blinky Lockwood" she told
him brutally. Hes waitin for you
ar the bank and said be wasn't goin'
10 wait after 10 O'clock neither!'
well. perhaps you're right. I'll go
there. It's after II. but He start
ed to get his hat and stopped with an
exclamation. why, Nat! ! didn't
know you'd got back
Duncan was at the back of the store
clearing the last remnants of the old
stock from the shelves. Yes" he said
pleasantly. without turning, I've been
here some time cleaning up the cellar
to make room for the stuff that's COM
ing in. l came upstairs just a moment
ago, but you were so busy talking you
didn't notice me-
He paused. swept the empty shelves
with a calculating glance and came
out around the end of the counter.
.'Everything's in tiptop shape" he
said. II checked up the bill Of ladins
myself. and there's not a thing miss
ing, not a BIT Of breakage. Mr.. Ora
ham" he continued. dropping Il gentle
hand on the old mans shoulder.
you're going TO have the finest drug
store in the state within six months.
With the stuff that Sperry has sent US
we can make Sothern & Lee look
like 6J cents on the dollar. We're
going to make things hum In this
old shop. and don't you forget it."
He laughed lightly. with note of
encouragement. But he avoided Ora
hams eyes even as he did Betty's. He
could not meet the pitifui look Of the
former. any more than that stare of
hostility and defiance in the latter.
It's good of you. my boy" Ora
ham quavered. "I-but I'm afraid ii
WON'T
Now don't say that" Duncan inter
posed firmly. And don't let me keep
you. think you said you were going
out on business? And I'll he busy
enough right here
And. without exactly knowing how II
had come about. Graham found him
self in the street. stumbling downtown
toward the bank
When he had gone Duncan would
have returned 10 thP shelves for a final
redding up He desired least of all
things an encounter with Betty In her
present frame of mind. With sud
den movement she threw herself in
front of Duncan.
$50 you were liSteningr'
I'm sorry" he said uncomfortably.
81 didn't mean to hear anything" he
argued plainiively. II was in the
room before I understood and by the
time I did it was too late-you had
finished"