Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-05-19

YES. I'M HIS DAUGHTER. hut
ceded Still. I'd rather you didn't
think So
Its 10 cents, isn't ii. Mr. Dunran"
Josie was offering him Il dime. He
accepted it without question.
THANK you very much" said he.
Good afternoon. ladies'"
He was aware of Angles f1uttering
farevellS on the sidewalk Josie was
lingering on the doorstep in an agony
of unframed coquetry. He lowered
his tone for her benefit. thereby add
ing new weight to his bombardment
Of her amateur drfenScs.
Remember you promised to call
again"
Her gigglps tore his eardrums.
"Th-thank You. I'm sure" she Stam-
mered and fled
They disappeared. He wandered to
the chair and threw himself Imply
into it. THAT voice." he said stupid
ly. THAT giggle! I've got to WOO and
win that! 1t serves me right" he con
Guided
The most hopeless of humors az
sailed him. and he yielded 10 it with
out a struggle. His attitude express
ed his mood with relentless verify
, Chin sunken upon his breast. eyes
fairly distil!ing gloom. legs stretched
out carelessly before him. he sat mo
tionless, suTocating at the bottom OF
n gulf of discomfort. His lips moved
sometimes noiselesSly, again in wins
pers barely audible.
"Years of this! A matter of humaL
endurance-no, superhuman! If 1t
wasn't for the bargain. I'd chuck 1t ali
and Well. the only way to forget
your misery is to work, suppose"
lie pulled himself together and
stood up, wondering where he hac
left his broom. and simultaneously
stiffened with surprise. aware that he
was no: alone A glance, however.
established the connection between the
rear door, which stood ajar, and the
Young woman who stood staring at
him IL interest stupefaction.
He was quick to see the intelligence
In Betty Graham's mutinous eyes and
, the sweet lines of her mouth. too often
shaped in sulen mold. and no less
quick to recognize that she would car
~ herself we'll. with spirit and dignity,
once she were relieved of household
toll and moil. once given the chance
! to discard her shapeless. bedraggled
and threadbare garments for those
dainty and beautiful things for which
longing
Good Lord" he thought, pitiful,
Its worse here than dreamed. Old
Graham must need keeper. and this
child has been trying to be that with
nothing to keep him on"
"Who are you" the girl demanded
sullenly in voice little harsh and
toneless What are you doing here?
Where's my fatherY
Mr. Graham has stepped out on
business" Duncan replied. You are
his daughter. believer
Eyes. I'm his daughter, butt
MY name is Nathaniel Duncan. Mr.
Graham has been kind enough to take
me on as apprentice, so to speak"
Her stare continued. intense. resent
full, undertaking
You mean you're going to work
here?'
That's my intention, Miss Graham"
He nodded gravely.
What for?"
.'To learn the drug business"
"Oh-h!" She flung herself pace
away impaticntly. I'm not child,
and | don't want to be talked to like
one"
81 didn't mean to annoy YOU
well. You do You've got no bust
ness in rundown place like this, you
with your fine clothes and your fine
airs. You didn't come here to learn
the drug business. You know as we'll
as do you've got some other motive"
There was a truth in that to sting
him. He smarted under its lash, but
held his temper in check because he
was sorry for the girl. Perhaps
you're right" he conceded-''perhaps |
have some other motive. But that's
neither here nor there. I'm here. and
1t is my present intention to learn the
drug business in your fathers store"
81 don't believe you, Mr.. Duncan, or
whatever your name is"
"l'm sorry" be said patiently.
Betty's lips twitched contemptuously.
"Well, saying you do mean to work