Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-01-19
'No." she breathed brokenly.

''No." she breathed brokenly. mo.
Nat. r.
"Well. it's the truth. and He rose
and moved away. "But can't tell
you just now-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-wait-" She stopped to find his
gaze full upon her. For the first time
he comprehended that. she had not
understood-that. worst Of all, she had
misunderstood. II must tell you," he
blurted desperately; II must"
lnstinctively she moved q step to-
ward him. He hung his head
Tonight. Betty-this evening. Just
a little while ago. l became engaged
to Josie Lockwood"
She stood as If petrified throughout
wait that seemed to both interim
nable.
"Oh. Nat. DEAR" she said, I'm so
glad for you. l 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 outstretched. despair
in his eyes and hell in his heart, while
she walked quietly from the store.
After some time he awoke to the
knowledge that she was gone.
"Blithering FOOL" he growled. "Why
didn't l know l loved her like thisY'
He took turn to and fro. distracted.
| "And now I've made a mess Of every
thing. Good Lord. what can l do?
must do something or go madr' He
swung round behind the soda fountain
counter and seized bottle. II know
what! The rules are off! can have
drink! l can have two drinks! l
can have a million drinks If want
'emv'
Pouring 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 nostrils. and the first
mouthful of 1t almost choked him. In
fury he flung the glass from him SO
that it crashed and splintered upon the
floor. "Great heavens" he cried. 81
don't like the stuff any more! But
his gaze fell upon the cigar case-"l
can have smoke That'll help somev
With feverish haste he snatched a
cigar from the nearest box, gnawed
off one end and. thrusting the Other
| into tho alcohol iObtor puffod vjUor
ously. But to his renovated palate the
potent fumes Of the tobacco were nc
less repugnant than the whisky haG
been. Half strangled. he plucked the
cigar from his mouth and stamped or
It.
"Oh." he cried wildly. 'Ill be-Pn b.
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 stat,
came Tracey. numbering cheerfully in
his mouth shaped for whistle. A
sight Of Nat he pulled up as If hit b!
club.
"Evenin'. Mr. Duncan. What's tn,
matterT'
By an effort Nat brought his gaz,
to bear upon the boy and comprehend
ed his existence.
"Ain't you feelin' well. Mr.. Duncan :?
"No-rotten"
''What's the matter?"
"Nothing" Nat shouted ferociously.
Anything / kin
"Now
At that instant Kellogg appeared
"Hello, Nat. What's been keepin
you? came down to bring you HON
to supper"
"Go to blazes with your supper
Keep away from lne. Don't talk t
me. don't want anything to do wit
you. d you understand? You and you
COMPOUNDED systems have got me int
! oil thiSr--