Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-03-16

fast, partially, beyond doubt, for sup
port
You've been saved just in time,
NIish'r Duncan" he commented. ~ arc
mighty lucky man. Now, lissen; you
better make tracks. amt got no war
rant to hold you, nd I wouldn't II !
had"
you're a 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, I won't"
"1bnnk Gawd rr THAR Pete ex-
claimed in mnudlin gratitude. He
swung widely toward the door and by
n miracle found it. "G' night, Mish'f
Duncan. feel s. good bout thish I'm
goin' try goin' home md face m wife.
c. night
GOOD night, Pete"
"Well," said Kellogg after a pause,
that was n bit Of luckw
Luck" Nat seized his hat and be-
gan to turn Off the lights. cts more
luck than ! thought there was in the
whole world. Come along"
"Where are you going"
First to see Lockwood and have It
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
ly more important matters to attend
to. and the sooner you find her the
better, Natv
As Duncan hurried homeward the
rolling Of the thunder grew sharp,
more instant upon the flashes. When
there was no wind the air seemed to
CULVER with terror. as dog cringes to
the whip.
But of this Duncan was barely con-
sctous.
He gained the gate in the fence OF
wood pallng. opened It and entered.
The lawn and house were lit with the
unearthly radiance of moonlight threat
ened by eclipse He could see the
light IN Craham's study and through
the open doors the faint glow Of the
hall lamp. But there was no one
visible.
He hurried up the path tortured by
Impotence, fear. longing. despair.
Then he saw what seemed at first
pale shadow detach Itself from darker
ward him.
Nat Is it yOu?"
Petty
His whole heart was in that cry
The girl thrilled to its timbre as
though n master hand had struck a
chord upon her heartstrings.
Nat, what-what is it,
Betty, want to tell you some
thing"
She came very slowly toward him,
torn alternately by fear and hope
What did he mean?
DO you happen to remember that
told you awhile ago I was engaged to
| Josie Lockvood;"
Nat. Could forget? Why"
Because it's broken off. Betty
Broken of. How? Why?"
Because it had to be, sweetheart
because | love you"
She was very close to him then. Her
upllfted face shone like marble in the
fading light.
Nat, II don't understand"
Then listen, I must tell you. 1t
was all plan a scheme, my coming
here, Betty. Everything l did, said,
| thought, was part Of contemplate
trick. | meant to marry Josie Lock
wood. whom I'd never seen. for her
money Now you know what I was
lear. But It's different now. I'm NOT
the same man who came to Radvils
! ten months ago I've learned littla
to understand the right, l hope. I've
nd purity and nnsellshness, and-and
! want to be a man. the kind Of man
you thought me. man worthy OF
you and your love, Betty, because l
love you. | want you to be my wife.
And-oh, Getty, Betty need you to
help me-"
His voice broke. He waited, every
/ Ati ' I hiiI IlDeI VI lin TENSE lOI utr
answer. While he had been speaking
the onrush Of the storm had blotted
out the moon. There was only dark
ness there In the garden-deep, dense
darkness-so chick he could not even
see the shiml er Of her dress.
Then suddenly she was in his arms.
shaking and sobbing. straining him Il
her.
ooh, Nat. my Nat! I've loved you
from the first day l ever saw you!
You know have"
"Betty--sweetheartr
There came an abrupt, furious patteF
Of heavy drops Of water beating upon
the f>liage. splashing and reboundina
from the house.
Forever and ever. Nat?"
Forever and ever and a day, my
denr-my DEAR
A little later an anxious voice-old
Sam's--hailed them from the house
but was drowned by the downpouY
They were as unconscious Of it as OF
the storm.
So that presently Id Sam had Il
run down the path with a big UNI
brela to shield them until they should
come 10 their senscs.
THE END.