The Irish standard., 1911-04-01

overdo the lodging. She might get
her back up
Not she She'd eat out Of my hand
If I'd let her. You don't understand"
whats the matter, then? Aren't
you strong for herr"
II wish l were"
but why? Is there another
No" Nat shook his head, honestly
believing he was telling the truth.
"Only don't look at things the way
did once"
"Just what do you mean by thatT'
Nat. squaring himself to face Kel-
bled. See here. Harry" he said, do
you really want me to carry out the
rest OF the agreements"
~Most certainly I do. Why not?"
Because I'm pretty we'll fixed here.
The business is making good. and so
am I. 1t won't he long before I can
pay you back, with interest, as we
agreed. without having to marry that
poor girl and draw on her money to
make good to yon."
''You want to go hack on your agree
ment?" demanded Kellogg. with a
show of disappointment and disgust.
'Yes and no. won't break faith
with You. if you insist, but I'd give a
lot If you'd let me off-let me pay
back what you advanced and cry quits
When you outlined this scheme was
down and three times out. willing to
take n chance at anything, no matter
how contemplate. Now-well. it's diff
ferent"
Good heavens! You don't mean
you'd he willing to live hereT'
Nat smiled, hut not mirthfully ~
don't know" he hesitated. Pm afraid
I'm beginning to like it."
"You. Nat?" Kelogg's amazement
was unfcigned. you ready to spend
your life here shaving away in this
mensly store?"
Duncan grunted Indignantly. Hold
on, now. Don't you call this measly
store. There isn't more complete
drug store In the slater
"Do you hear thatT' Kellogg APP
pealed vehemently to the universe at
large. as it possible that this is Nat
Duncan, the fellow who hated work so
hard he couldn't earn living? Cad,
1 believe I've arrived just IN ume!
"In time for what"
'To save you from yourself, old
man. Here's the heircss you came
here to cop out, ready and anxious.
everything else coming your way, and
and you're more than half inclined
to back out You make me tired"
II suppose I must But l can't help
1t. ! can't make you see how the
thing looks to me- You know-1'va
written you all about everything
what this place has meant to me
Until l came here l never realized 4
was in me to make good at anything.
But here l have. Pm doing so we'll
that I'd actually have some self rr-
spect if l wasn't bound to play this
low down trick on Josie Lockwood.
I've worked and succeeded and been
of some service to people who we're
worth it,
"Who? Sam Grallam?"
"He and his daughtcr"-
"Oh. his dnughter?'
"Now, get that foolish idea out OF
your head There's nothing in it.
Betty's just a simple, sweet little girl
who's had a pretty hard time and
never Il real chance In life-until I
managed to give 1t to her. And I'd
feel pretty good about that If Oh,
there's no use talking to you"
nfor knta
Ing" Kellogg laughed mockingly.
"Well, have tried to keep to the
terms OF our understanding. 1 singled
out this Lockwood girl and worked all
the dcgrees-didn't say much, you
know--no lovcmaking-just let her
catch me looking sadly at her once In
awhile"
'"Thnts the way to work IT.
eyes. that's the way" Nat assented
gloomly.
Kellogg laughed with delight NAT
he cried. "my poor crazy friend, listen
to me. This working and church 60
ing and helping old Graham is all
very noble and fine. and I'm glad
you've done it. This drug store is
l always knew was latent in you.
And clean living hasn't done you any
harm. But now you're due to come
down to earth This place pays you
neat profit. Well and good That's
all it'll ever do. It's new to you now,
and You like the novelty, and you're
having the time Of your life finding
out you're good for something. But
pretty soon it'll begin to stale on you.
and before long you'll find yourself
hating it and the town. and then you'll
be back where you started Now. Pm
going to hold you to our bargain for
your own sake. If you're stuck on
the town and the work You can keep
right on just as well after you're mar
ried. but when you do begin to tire OF
1t you'll wnnt that fortune to fall back
on and do what you like with. Don't
let this chance slip-not Oh your life"