Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-01-15

ed him. Presently he looked up again.
his features gravely composed.
"Roly." said he. "Balaam must miss
you terribly"
"That amt no answer" Lockwood
put himself soidly between Nat and
the object Of his obscure remark. who
was painfully digesting It. II want to
know about this. You got my daugh-
ter to say she'd marry you this even
in, and you've got to explain to me
about this bank business before 1t
goes any further"
"Yes" commented Nat civilly.
"Yesw Numbered Blinky. do you
deny it? Answer me-"
To Kellogg's huge diversion Nat
| struck an attitude. Il refuse to an
| swer." said he.
aha! What'd l tell you?" This
was Rolands triumphant crow.
| "Natw Josie advanced, trembling
with excitement. Tell me. what does
this mean?'
Duncan perforce avoided her gaze
Don't ask" he said sadly.
SIS it true?' she insisted.
"You heard what Roly said." he re-
piled. with chastened expression.
''Then you admit it,"
II admit nothing"
"Oh-h!" The girl drew away from
him as from defilement. IL hate
your she cried in a voice Of loathing.
That's all right" he told her Sc
renely. i've despised myself all even
ing"
The girl showed him q scornful
back. Papa she began.
Don't thank me. Josie. Roland
done it all. He got on to him." Lock
wood continued to watch Duncan with
the air Of a cat eying a mouse.
| Impulsively Josie moved to Roland's
side and caught his arm. He drew
himself up proudly.
II do thank you. Roland. can new
er be grateful enough. I've been so
foolish"
THAT'S all right" Roland tucked
the girls hand Beneath his arm and
patted 1t down. you wasn't to blame
never seen any one from Moo York
yet that wasn't crook"
won't you please take me away
from this-place, Roland" she ap-
pealed.
"I'l be nightly glad to see you
home, JOSIE" he assured her generous.
ly, turning.
In the act Of leaving Josie caught
Mats eye. She hung back for an in
slant, whitening him with a glare.
"Oh-hw she cried. "How did you dare
pretend to care for me?'
He bowed politely. ut was one Of
the rules, JOSIE
"There's no need to tell you, guess.
that the engagement is broken"
"None whatever, Miss Lockwood.
Good evening"
Come, Roland"
Arm in arm they left, with the
naughty tread of the elect, while Pete
Willing lurched to Duncans side and
caught his arm.
"Come long to Jail, Mish'r Duncan"
he said, with sympathy. "Mush bes-
sher."
"You look after him, Pete" Lock
wood turned to leave with final shot
for Duncan. I'll tend to your case in
the mornin', young man, and III make
| you wish you never came to this
town."
"You needn't trouble. feel that way
about it already. Good night"
Lockwood left them, snarling Nat
caught Kellogg's eye and began to gig
q cfi 1t
fast, partially. beyond doubt, for sup.
port.
you've been saved just in time,
Mish'r Duncan" he commented. "Y' are
mighty lucky man. Now. lissen; you
better make tracks. amt got no war.
rant to hold you. md wouldn't if
had"
you're good fellow, Pete, but you
needn't worry. I'm not the man they
think me, and it'll be easy to prove"
"Waal." said Pete. Jus the same,
you better git out r you may have to
marry her aft ALL"
mo, l won't"
"Thank Gawd r. thatw Pete ex.
claimed in maudlin gratitude. He
swung widely toward the door and by
a miracle found it. &C. night, Mish'r
Duncan. feel s. good bout thish I'm
goin' try goin' home md face M wife.
G. night"
Good night, Pete"
"Well," said Kellogg after a pause,
"that was a bit Of luck.'
Luck" Nat seized his hat and be-
gan. to turn off the lights. Its more
luck than thought there was in the
whole world. Come along"
"Where are you going?"
"First to see Lockwood and have II
out with him."
mo, you aren't" Kellogg laughed as
Nat locked the door. you're going
to leave Lockwood to me. I'll manage
TO ease his mind. You've got infinite
~ more important matters to attend
to. and the sooner you find her the
better. Nat