Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-02-02

He swept the floor. thrilled with the
sensation of accomplishment.
Two shadows moved slowly athwart
the windows. Strengthening up, he look.
ed. gasped and fled for the back of
the store. Heavens he whispered.
aghast TO recognize Josie Lockwood
and Angie Tuthil. of whose ubiquitous
shadows in his way he had been CON
scious so frequently within the past
several days. II thought l must have
made an impression. Don't tell me
they're coming In"
Behind the counter he struggled fu-
rioUsly into his coat. They are" he
said, With a sinking heart, land I'll
bet dollar my face IS dirty
His bow was a very passable imita-
ton Of The real thing. he flattered him.
self ana there's no manner Of doubt
but that it fattered the two prettiest
and most forward young women in
Radville Of that day.
May have the honor of waiting on
you. LADIES' he inquired with all the
suavity OF an accomplished salesman.
Josie and Angie sided together. gig.
Cling aud simpering, quite overcome
ty his manner muffled How dc
doi" from Angie and hall strangle6
echo Of the SALVATION from the other
were barely articulate. But, hearing
them, he bowed again, separately tt
each.
Good afternoon" he said and wait
ed in an inquiring pose.
''This-this is Mr.. Duncan, isn't t?'
inquired Josie, controlling herself.
"Ycs. and you are Miss Lockwood, II
Tin not mistaken"
Renewed giggles prefaced her ooh
bow did you know"
Gould any one remain two weeks in
Radville and not hear of Miss Lock.
wood"
The shot told famously. How nice
OF you. Mr.. duncan. l want you to
meet my friend Miss Tuthill."
I've had the honor of admiring Miss
Tuthill from a distance" Duncan as.
surcd the younger woman. And She'll
burn up.' he feared secretly. watching
lhc connagratiOn Of bushes that she
displayed. Just think Of getting
away with line of mush like that,
Harry was right after all. This is a
country town, all right"
''And-and are you working here,
Mr.. Duncan" Josie pursued.
I'm supposed to be. I'm afraid /
don't know the business very well as
yet"
"oh. that's awf'ly nice" Angie
thought
lie thanked her humbiy.
1--WE didn't expect to see you here"
Josie assured him. I'VE Just thought
we'd like some soda"
Soda" he parrotcd. Mortified. He
cast glance askance at the tawdry
fountain. Lets sea, how d'you work
the Internal thing:" he asked himself
utterly bewildered.
Yes Angie chimed in, its so
warm this afternoon We
I've got to put 1t through some
how" he thought savagely, and aloud,
~Yes, certainly" he said and smiled
winningly. win you be pleased to
step this way?"
Out of the corners Of his eyes he
detected the amused look that passed
between the girls. ooh, very WELL"
he said beneath bis breath. You NAV
laugh but Nou asked for soda. and
soda you shall have, my dears, if Won
die Of it" He put himself behind
the counter with an air of great deter
mination and leaned upon it with
Doth hands outspread until he realized
that this was the pose of grocery
man. "What'll you have?" he de.
manded genially "Er-that isl
mean, would you prefer vanilla or
ah-soGa?'
A chant antlphonal answered him:
II hate vanilla"
And so do l."
"Oh, don't say that" he pleaded. "Of
course you know theres-ah-vanilla
and vanilla. An. some vanilla know
is detestab!e, but when you get real.
ly fine vintage --ab-imported vanilla.
It's quite another matter-ah-partic
ularly at this season of the year,
His confusion was becoming painful.
"Oh, is itI' asked Josie helpfully. Her
eyes dwelt upon his with a confdinc
expression which he later character.
lied as baby stare, and he was
promptly reduced to babbsng idioc,.
Indeed it is; no doubt whatever.
Miss Lockwood. Especially Just now,
you know-ah-after the book season.
an mean, Wren the weatucr Is-Is-
I'm way-you might put it. vanilla
weather."
But | like chocolate best" Angie
pouted. And he hated her consumed
ly for the moment.
Every WELL" Josie told him sweetly,
"Ill have the vanilla"
He thanked her with unnecessary
effusion and turned to inspect the
glassware. There could be no mis-
take about the right jar, however;
there was nothing but vanilla. and,
SELLING It, ne removed the metal cap
and placed it before the girls. With
less ease he discovered a whisky glass
and put II beside the bottle. with a
cordial wave Of the hand.
A pause ensued. Duncan was smil-
Ing fatuously. serene in the belief that
he had solved the problem-the way to