Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-01-12

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was. but 1t was shortly after the for
nation Of the firm of Graham Il Dun
can that the young man received his
first invitation to dinner at the Lock
woods. He accepted. Of course. wheth-
er be wanted to or not. for there could
be no excuse for his refusing Sunday
bid, and the Lock woods made quite an
event Of it The Soules were invited
because they were Araminta Lock
woods brother and sister-in-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 a sense of con-
quest. She supplied the major part Of
the conversation. chatting volubly on
the thousand subjects she didn't un-
derstand. the dozen she did In the
most ingenious manner imaginable she
laid herself open to advances. not once
but score Of times. and when he
failed to respond according to the code
of Radville had the wit to mask her
chagrin. did she feel any. Very prob
ably she laid his lack Of responsive
ness at the door Of his shyness Ia
quality be was wholly without, and
liked him the better for It.
1t was on this day TINT she extracted
from him his promise to Join the choir.
he ncceded through npathy alone
II don't care whether you can sing
or not" she confessed. with look
But do want somebody to walk
home With me that | ike
That's a nice way of putting it,
duncan considered without emphasis.
Roland Barnettrs always walked
home with me but | think he's just
tiresome."
WHY" inquired the young man
with some interest
She averted her head. plucking at
the strands of the hammock. "Oh. you
know" she said ditiidently
oh" Nat was enlightened. Then
I'm sorry for Roland"
"WhyT
1 h , a, y II
couldn't help this The time. the place
the girl inspired indeed. incited-one
to banality
Why she persisted.
"Oh. you know" He caught the in
donation of her previous words pre-
cisely
She had the grace to blush and hang
her head. but he received thrilling
sidelong glance
"Ah. Aren't you awful to talk that
way. Mr. DuncanT
YES" he admitted meekfy.
"Then you will join the choir"
"Oh. yes" he agreed listlessly.
I'm so glad"
He thanked her. but avoided her eve.
I'VE might s well begin tonight"
she suggested presently. with difiident.
downcast eyes.
"What-the choir" He was startled.
"Oh. couldn't without a rehearsal"
mo. didn't mean that"
Mop
II mean about Roland" She was
paying minute attention to the lace In
sertion Of her skirt
about Roland"
Eyes: l mean You know what
mean. Mr.. Duncar'"
II assure you do not. Miss Lock
wood"
about not walking home with him
any more. don't want to- wish
you'd commence tonight instead OF
choir practice night I'd much rather
walk home with you"
after evening service. you mean p
She nodded eth be q great pleas
ure."
"ReallyT She gave him her eye.
now.
Really" he assured her.
"Ah, don't believe you mean thatg'
"But indeed ! do"
1t was not until nearly O'Clock tina
be was given chance to escape. III
had even then to refuse inflexibly al
invitation to stay to supper.
Minta LOckwood-an expansive wo
man. generously convex-almost smoth
cred him with appreciation Of hii