Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-03-08

tons with corporation known as the
Modern Gas company. believe.
competitor Of Consolidated Petroleum,
and in due course representatives Of
both concerns came to Radville. exam
ined the burner and retired. noncom-
initial. Then Bartlett sent a requtsi-
ton for a model and supplied the funds
for making it. thus demonstrating his
confidence. "
AS for old Sam. he had risen to the
dignity of fr0ck coat and felt him.
self an aristocrat for the first time in
bis life.
| don't remember just how soon it
was. but it was shortly after the for
nation Of the tirm of Graham & Dun
can that the young man received his
first invitation to dinner at the Lock-
woods He accepted. Of course. wheth-
er he wanted to or not, for there could
be no excuse for his refusing Sunday
bid. and the Lockwoods made quite an
event Of it. The Soules were invited
because they were Araminta Lock
woods brother and sister-in-law. and
the Godfreys came over from West.
eriy to grace the board as representa-
tives of the Lockwood strain.
At the conclusion of the meal. which
endured throughout two interminable
hours. the elder men folk Withdrew to
the garden and the lawn. Nat was left
to Josie. who conducted him to the
side porch. out OF sight Of everybody.
and planted herself in baggy ham.
mock there. She was gay even bril-.
liant within her limitations. arch.
naive. coqnettish. shy. petulant, by
turns. animared by a sense Of con
| quest. She supplied the major part Of
the conversation. chatting volubly on
! the thousand subjects she didn't I'm
| derstand. the dozen she. did In the
| most ingenious. ina nner imaginable she
laid herself open 10 advances. not once.
but score of times. and when he
failed to respond according to the code
| of Radville had the wit to mask her
chagrin. did she feel any. Very prob
! ably she laid his lack OF responsive
ness at the door of his shyness IA
| quality be was wholly without and
| liked him the better for it.
1t was on this day that she extracted
from him his promise to join the choir
He acceded through apathy alone
Il don't care whether you can sing
or not" she confessed. with a LOOK.
But I do want somebody to walk
home With me that l like"
| IhAf 30 nj ~
Duncan considered without emphasis.
Roland Barnette's always walked
| home with me. but I think he's Just
; tiresome."
''Why?' inquired the young man.
with some interest. &
| the strands Of the hammock. "Oh, you
know" she said dithdently.
'Oh?" Nat was enlightened. '"Then
I'm sorry for Roland"
"WhyY'
| II can't blame him. you know" He
couldn't help this. The time. the place.
the girl inspired-indeed. incited-one
to banality.
"Why?" she persisted.
"Oh. you know" He caught the in
donation of her previous words pre-
cisely
She had the grace to blush and hang
her head. but he received a thrilling
.sidelong glance.
"Ah: Aren't you awful to talk that
way. Mr. Duncan?"
EYES," he admitted meekly.
'"Then you will join the choir?''
"Oh. yes" he agreed iistlessly.
Tim SO glad"
He thanked her. but avoided her eye
I'VE might s well begin tonight"
she suggested presently. with dif1dent.
downcast eyes.
"What-the choir?" He was startled
"Oh. l couldn't without rehearsal"
mo. didn't mean that" 49,,
mop
II mean about Roland" She was
paying minute attention to the lace in.
sertion Of her skirt.
about Roland
Eyes; l mean You know what I
mean. Mr. Duncany'
II assure you l do not, Miss Lock-
wood"
about not Walking home with him
any more. | don't want to. wish
you'd commence tonight instead Of
choir practice night. I'd much rather
walk home with you"
After evening service. you mean p
She nodded. It'll be 4 great pleas
ure." ~. -. .t~
| ''Really?" She gave him her eyes
now
Really" he assured her.
"Ah. l don't believe you mean thatv'
But indeed l do
1t was not until nearly O'Clock that
be was given chance to escape. He
had even then to refuse infexibly an
invitation to stay to supper.
Minta Lockwood-an expansive wo-
man. generously convex-almost smoth-
! cred him with appreciation of his
thanks. She held his hand In large.
moist palm and beamed upon him.
saying, ''Now't you know the way,
Mr.. Duncan
Yes" Blinky insisted. blinking ro-
guishly, drop in any time. Take pot
luck. We're plain people. MIR. Dun
| oQn h1,f line <rlo RI RI GOO rn,, f,aonAo