Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-04-05

''Oh, don't say thatr' he pleaded
wretchedly.
Its true. And when you sent mo
away to school promised myself I'd
try to repay you for the sacrifice you
( must be making for me; that Id fol-
low your example as nearly 40 ever
could; that Id work hard and try to
treat people the way you do-kindly.
Nat. aud considerably and bravely and
tenderly and honestly
He dropped into chair near her and
buried his head In his hands. DON'T"
he begged huskily. Please. Betty,
don't!''
She bent forward and took one Of
his hands. patting it softly. NAT, L
think you're the very best man in the
whole worldv'
"Don'tw he groaned. Don't, for
heavens sake!''
"Oh, know. Natl know you don't
like me to say this, but l must, just
the same, tell you the truth about my
self. It's SO splendid to live the life
you do. You're all unconscious of it,
but want you to realize it and know
that do too. You've made everybody
love you. and -
But confusion silenced her, and she
gently replaced his hand. For several
moments neither spoke. Then Nat
broke the tension with short, hard
laugh.
That's right" he said tnscrutably:
that was the idea"
MAT, what do you meanr'
He turned to her: Betty, does it
make you-feel that way toward me?"
She coiored divinely. why. Nat.
Of course. Why. every one
That's why came here, Betty"
be pursued. blind to her embarrass-
ment II came here with the idea Of
getting married.
he was staring gloomily at the floor
and could not see the light that dawn
ed upon the girls face.
You never guessed that, did you?'
''No," she breathed brokenly. mo.
Nat, r.
well, it's the truth, and He rose
and moved away. But can't tell
you just n0W-not now"
mo. not now, Nat" Betty, too, got
up. Il think I'd better go home and
see father. | mustn't forget She
faltered. half blinded by the mist Of
the happiness before her eyes.
"No-waft." She stopped to find his
gaze full upon her. For the first time
M ~b-
understood-that, worst Of all, she had
misunderstood. II must tell you" he
blurted desperately: Il must
1nsttnctively she moved step to-
ward him. He hung his head
Tonight. Betty-this evening, just
little while ago. became engaged
to Josie Lockwood"
She stood as ii petrifed throughout
wait that seemed to both interim
nable.
"Oh. Nat. dear" she said, I'm 80
glad for you. wish you all the hap
piness In the world l. Good night"
The hand slipped out of Mats. He
did not move. but waited there with
his empty palm ou:stretched. despair
in his eyes and hell i'd his heart, while
she walked quietly from the store.
After some time he awoke to the
knowledge that she was gone.
"Blithering foolr" he growled. "why
didn't l know 1 loved her like this?'
He took turn to and fro. distracted.
"And now I've made mess Of every
thing Good Lord. what can do? I
must do something or 60 mad!' He
swung round behind the soda fountain
counter and seized bottle. II know
what! The rules are OF! can have
a drink! l can have two drinks!
can have million drinks If want
sem!" 49, g-.z.
: Pouring a generous dose Of raw
whisky into the glass, he lifted it to
his lips and threw back his head. But
the heavy bouquet Of the liquor was
sitting in his nosrils, and the nrst
mouthful Of it almost choked him. In
fury he flung the glass from him 90
floor. "Great heavens" he cried. II
don't like the stuff any more! But
his gaze fell upon the cigar. case-1
can have smoke. That Il help somev'
With feverish haste he snatched 4
cigar from the nearest box, gnawed
OF one end and, thrusting the other
into the alcohol lighter; pulled vigor-,
ously. But to his renovated palate the
potent fumes Of the tobacco were no
less repugnant than the whisky had
been. Half strangled, he plucked the
cigar from his mouth and stamped on
Il. @ sz..
"Oh," he cried wildly, ''1'll be-1'n be :.
damnedw
He paused, staring vacantly at moth
ing. "And even that doesn't do any
good! God help me, I've forgotten
how to swearv'
To him In this overweight state
came Tracey, numbering cheerfully in.
his mouth shaped for a whistle. At
sight Of Nat he pulled up as II hit BY
4 club.
"Evenin'. Mr.. Duncan. What's tho
matter p
BY an effort Nat brought his gaze
to bear upon the boy and comprehend
ed his existence.
"Ain't you feelin' well. Mr.. Duncan
'.No-rotten!'
whats the matter?"
''Nothing!" Nat shouted ferociously.
Anything kin
''Now
At that instant Kellogg appeared
NE1o11n Matt What. 1>oov a~no,na~m