Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-11-27


sured him earnestly. Il must go. any
way, I've a dinner engagement"
You'll be late. won't you?"
Doesn't matter in the least. I'm al
ways late Night. Kellogg. Congratu
lations again."
I'VE just dropped round to take off
our hats to you.' Long continued.
pumping Kellogg's hand.
And tell you what a good fellow we
think you are" added Miller. following
suit.
You don't know how good you make
me feel" Kellogg told them.
Under cover Of this diversion Dun
can was making one last effort to Slip
away. but before he could gather to
gether his impedimenta and get to the
Soor Willy Bartlett intercepted him.
Il say, Duncan
"Oh. rats said Duncan beneath
| his breath He paused ungracously
enough
We've got to see bit of one an.
other. now we've met again, y know.
Wish you'd look me up. Half Moon
club II get me most any time. Wen
have to arrange to make regular old
! fashioned night of it, just for mem
ory's sake"
Duncan nodded. edging past him
"i've memories enough" he said.
Right oh. Any reason at all. y
know, just so we have the night"
Good enough assented Duncan
vaguely He suffered his hand to be
wrung with warmth. "I'll not for
get. Good night" Then he pulled up
and groaned. for WHY'S insistence
had frustrated his design. Kellogg
had suddenly become alive to his at
titude and hailed him over the heads
of Long and Miller.
NAT, say! Where the devil are
you going?"
"Over to the hotel" said Duncan.
1.-THE deuce you are! What hotel?"
"The one I'm stopping at"
mot on your life. You're not going
just yet. l haven't had half chance
to talk to you. Robbins, take Mr.
Duncan's things"
Duncan, set upon by Robbins. who
had been lowering round for just that
purpose, lifted his shoulders in resig-
nation, turning back into the room as
Miller and Long said good night to
him and left at Bartlett's heels, and
smiled awry in semi-humorous depre-
cation of the way in which he let Kel-
logg outmaneuver him. When 1t came
to that it was hard to refuse Kellogg
anything; he had that way with him.
especially If one liked him. And how
could any one help liking him?
Kellogg had him now, holding him
fast by either shoulder. at arms
length. and shaking a reproving head
at his friend You big dutfer!" he
said. Did you think for minute Ia
let you throw me down like that:
Have you dinedY
At this suggestion Duncan stiffened
and fell back NO hut
Kellogg swept the ground from I'M
der his feet Robbins" he told the
man. "order in dinner for two from the
club. and tell 'em to hurry it up"
"Yes. sir" said Robbins. and flew to
obey before Duncan could get chance
to countermand his part in the order.
land now" continued Kellogg.
we've got the whole evening before
us in which to chin. Sit down" He
led Duncan to an armchair and gently
but firmly pumped him into its capa-
cious depths. We'll have snug lit
tie dinner here and what do you say
to taking in a show afterwards"
II say no.
"You dassent. my boy. This is the
night we celebrate I'm feeling pretty
good tonight"
you ought to. Harry" Duncan
struggled to rouse himself to share in
the spirit of graduation with which
Kellogg was bubbling. Pm mighty
glad. old man. It's great step up
for you"
Its all of that. You could have
knocked me over with feather when
Bartlett sprang 1t on me this morning
OF course, / was expecting something
boost in salary. or something like
that. Bartlett knew that other houses
in the street had made me offers. I've
been pretty lucky Of late and pulled
off one or two rather big deals, but a
partnership with L. j. Bartlett
Think Of it. Nat"
I'm thinking Of it, and it's great"
It'll keep me mighty busy" Kellogg
blundered blindly on. ut means a lot
of extra work. but you know like to
work"
That's right. you do" agreed Dun
can drearily. ITS queer to me. 1t
must be a great thing to like to work"
You bet it's great thing. Why,
| couldn't exist If couldn't work.
You remember that time l laid off for
a month in the country for my healths
sake? I'll never forget it-hanging
round all the time with my hands
empty-every one else with something
to do. / wouldn't go through with it
again for fortune. Never felt so use
| less and in the way
But" interrupted Duncan, knitting
his brows as he grappled with this
problem. you were independent.
weren't you? You had money-could
pay your boardT
IL I f~t% t.,