Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-02-16

cxpanse of very stiff shirt bosom,
which creaked for some reason. With
this Roland wore a ribbed white silk
waistcoat. very brilliant low cut pat
ent leather shoes and white silk socks
The trousers were strikingly cut as to
each leg after the physical conflgurn-
ton of the domestic pear and the Of
feet Of the whole was measurably en-
HANGED by an opera hat, one of those
tail and striking contraptions that yon
can shut up 10y pressing gently but
firmly upon the human midrilf and
looking unconscious. but which Is apt
to- open with a resounding report if
you're not careful am glad TO be
able to report that Roland failed to
commit the soecism of wearing red
string tie. His tie was n sober black
firmly knottcd at the factory.
Duncan foil into Il routine witnUu,
the least evidence of discomfort He
was early 90 rise and early 10 work
and rarely left the store save at meal
hours and closing up time. lie at
tended church with admirable regu-
larity, both morning and evening serv
Ices. on Sunday, the midweekly prayer
meeting and Friday evening choir
practice. for In the course of time he
hnd been won over to join the choir
and modestiy discovered to our edlh,
cation a baritone voice wholly I'M
trained. but not uuplcasing. Josie
Lockwood sang contralto and Bcss
Gabriel what we were informed was
sopruuo- only RadviIle called 1t Il ire
bic. Tracey Tanner pumped the organ
and puifed audibly iii the pauses, IA
singular testimony to his devotion to
Angie Tuthll, who Just sang with
the others chiefly because she was Jo-
sizes nearest friend.
Nat had settled down to pretty
steady correspondence with Kellogg.
chiefly on business matters. Kellogg
was Investigating old Sanis burner
and seemed quite impressed with its
possibilities He had Quarreed with
Roland's friend Burnhnm on Duncan's
representations ana ordered him out
Of the Offices Of l.. J. Bartlett x Co, it
seemed. Later he opened up negotia-
tons with II corporation known as the
Modern Gas company, believe. Il
competitor of Consolidated Petroleum.
and in due course representatives Of
both concerns came to ltadville. exam
| ned the burner and retired nonron
initial. Then Bartlett sent a r"qu +
ton for model and supplied the funds
for making 1t. thus demonstrating his
confidence.
AZ for old Sam, he had risen to the
, dignity of frock coat and felt him
, self an aristocrat for the first time in
| his life.
don't remember Just how soon it
was. but it WAS shortly after the for
nation OF the firm 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 q Sunday
bid, and the i-ockWOods made quite an
event OF it. The SOules were invited
because they were Arnminta Lock
woods brother and sisterin-law. and
the Godfreys came over from West
erly 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 coquettish, shy. petulant, by
turns. animated by sense of con
quest. She supplied the major part OF
the converse hon, chatting volubly on
the thousand subjects she didn't I'M
. derstand. the dozen she did In the
, most ingenious manner imaginable she
. laid herself open to advances, not once
: but Il score Of times. and when he
failed to respond according to the code
;, VI Rndville had the wit to mask her
chagrin. did she feel any. Very prob
y ably she laid his lack OF responsive
ness Mt the door Of his shyness "a
q quality he was wholly without and
liked him the better for it.
v from him his promise 10 loin the choir
r He accedd through apathy alone.
g Il don't care whether you can sing
e or not" she confessed. with look
But I do want somebody to walk
: home with me that | like"
That's nice way of putting it,"
e Duncan considered without emphasis.
e "Roland Barnette's always walked
s home with me. but | think he's Just
p tiresomc."
why" inquired the young man
with some interest
She averted her head. plucking al
a the strands of the hammock. "Oh, you
90 know" she said difdently.
% "OhT Nat was enlightened, Then
IN I'm sorry for Roland"
n why
# II can't blame him. you know" He
g. couldn't help this. The time. the place
the girl, inspired indeed. incited-one
II to banality.
~ "Why?" she persisted
~. "Oh, Vou know" He caught the in
tonation Of her previous words pre-
-. cisely.
-. She had the grace to blush and hanl
her head, but he received n thrilling
- sidelong glance.
"Ah! Aren't you awful to talk tina
- way, Mr.. Duncan"'
u YES" he admitted meekly
'e "Then you will join the choir"
ar ooh yes" he greed ltstlessly