Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-06-30

III little pale. went quickly to
the door.
Duncan followed her n pace or two.
81 can't leave Just now" he Stammrred.
al don't mind one bit. | don't want
to be In the way. I'll telephone from
home. Good night. dearest. On mp
toes she drew his face down to hers
and kissed him. I'm SO happy"
Half duzed. Nat stared after her I'M
til her lightly moving figure merged
with the shadows beneath the trees
and was lost. Then. with sigh. he
turned back to Pete.
The sheriff had undoubtedly suffer
ed at the hands Of that militant per-
son. Mrs. Willing. Great Scott!
Duncan exclaimed AZ he examined the
two inch cash In his head. That's Il
bird. Pete"
M wife done IT," Willing muttered
huSkily. Ssh threw side r tn house
at ME. think"
Wife. eh!" The coincidence Smote
Duncan with redOubled force. He
shivered We'll. she certainly gave 1t
to you good lie went behind the
counter to prepare Il dressing for the
wound. which. If wide. was neither
deep nor serious and gave him little
concern for Pete.
The latter ruminated on the event,
breathing StertorouSly. while Duncan
was fixing up Il wash Of peroxide.
She'll kill me some day" he announc
Ell suddenly. with intense conviction
In his tone
"Oh. don't say that"
Opposition reused Pete TO u fury OF
assertion. 'Yes she will, sure" he
bawled. Then his emotion quieted
"But Id bout as soon be dead's live
with her. anyway"
lin" Nat got some absorbent cot
ton and adhesive plaster. Been drink
ing again. hadn't YOU?
"YeSh." Pete admitted with leer of
drunken cunning. But she druv me
10 IT." He was quiet for moment.
"Mish'r Duncan he volunteered
cheerfully. you amt got no idee how
lucky y are y amt married"
rs that So? Nat returned with the
dressings.
NO idee. tall" Pete surrendered his
head to Mats ministrntions. md
hope y won't never have"
But I'm going to be married. Pete"
The sheriff ussimilated this informa-
ton and became abruptly intractable.
He jerked his head away and swung
round In his chair 10 argue the matter.
"Oh. nor he expostulated. Don't,
Mish'r Duncan. Don't never do it
Take warn4' from me-"
But I'm engaged. Pete"
"Maksh no diff 'runsh-break 1t Off"
His voice rose to howl of alarm.
"F'r Gaw's sake. break 1t off-now.
before it's too late! DO anything rath-
er that. Drink. lie. steal. murder. emit
suicide-don't care what only keep
singler'
Here" said Duncan. laughing, "sit
back there and let me attend to your
head" He began to wash the wound
with the peroxide There; that'll
sting bit, but not long. But sup
pose. Pete. I'd get lot of money by
marryingT'
mo matter how mush y get. 'ain't
enough"
I'm inclined to think you're about
right. Pete"
You bet I'm right. I'm married. nd
l know"
Nat finished dressing the cut, smooth
ed down the ends of the adhesive tape |
and stood back. That's all right now.
Go home. wash your face and sleep 1t |
off. Let me see you sober In the
morning"
Huh" Pete chuckled derisively. |
"Ain't goin' home might"
you've got to get some sleep-that's |
the only way for you to straighten |
up"
WELL" agreed Pete. rising. then |
I'll 90 over to the barn md sleep with
the horse"
Aren't you afraid he'll step on your
asked Nat. amused.
Maybe he will" Pete replied fairly. |
"but I'd ruther risk that n m wife"
He swcrved and lurched toward the |
door. Thanks, doc. md G. night" he |
mumDled and inc6ntinently collided
with Roland Rarnette-