Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-06-02

remembered well the few dollars lnal
now represented all his worldly goods
Then he smiled ch"erfuly. There.
that's all right
ITO me it's meant everything. III
only hope I'll be able to repay you
some day. Gcd bless you. my boy!
God bless your'
He managed To jam his hat awry on
bis white old head and lind his way
out, his hands tumhling with one an
cher. his lips moving inaudiby. per
maps in Il prayer Of thanksgiving
1t was perhaps within the next thir
ty minutes that Betty twho had been
left in charge of the store while Dun
can. with coat and collar off and
sleeves rolled above his elbows. hack
cd and pounded and pried and banged
ut the packing cases in the back yardi
sought him on the scene Of Ills lubols.
Pretty good work for York dude
n0tT' he laughed
There was shadowy smile in her
grave eyes IT'S an Improvement"
she said evenly.
He shot her a curious glance.
"Ouch!" he said thoughtfully.
II just came to tell you" she went
on. again imnobie. you're wanted in
side"
Somebody wants to see me?" he de-
I,,l ~ ti,,,r t,of
"Yes."
"But who'-
"Blinky Lockwood" she replied over
her shoulder as she went into the
house.
I.ockwood?" He speculatcd. for an
instant puzzled. then suddenly IA
ther-in-law" he cried "Shivering
snakes. he mustn't catch me like this
|. u business man"
Hastily rolling down his shirt
sleeves and Struggling himself into his
coat. he made for the store. buttoning
his collar and knotting his tie on the
way.
He found Rlinky nosing round the
room. quite alone. Betty had disap-
pearpd. and the old scoundrel was hay
ing quite III enjoyable time poking in
to matters that did not conceT. him
and disappearing of them OH general
principles SO far as the improve
ments concerned old Sam Graham's
fortunes, Bliuky would concede no
health in them. But with regard to
Duncan there was another story to
tell. Duncan apparently controlled
money to some vague extent.
You're Mr.. Duncan, amt your" he
qsked, with. his leer. moving down to
meet Nat.
Eyes, sir. Mr.. Lockwood, believer
"That's me-" Rlinky clutched his
hand in genial claw. Pm glad to
meet you"
"Thank YOU" said Duncan. Some
thing | can do for you. STRIP
"Waal. Pete Willin' was tellin' me
you'd just took up this note of Ora
hams"
"Not exactly. The firm took it up
Blinky winked savagely at this
The firm-what frm?"
Graham & Duncan, sir. I've been
taken into partnership"
"Have, eh?" Blinky grunted mystic,
riously and fished in his pocket for
some bills and silver. "Waal. here's
some change comm to the firm, then
And here" he added, producing the
document In question. 'is Sans note
THANK you" Duncan ceremonious'
ly deposited both in the till. going be-
hind the soda fountain to do so. and
then waited. expectant Blinky was
grunting busily in the key of one
about to make an important com
munication.
I'm glad you're a-comin' in here
with SAM" he said at length. with an
acid grimace that was meant to be a
smile
"Oh. it may be only temporary
Nat endeavored to assume seraphic
expression and partially succeeded
III ueNOlluS ulllSI VI my eAAhS W
my Studies" be pursued primly. but
nevertheless feel should be earning
something too"
"That's right-that's the kind of
spirit like to see In young man.
You always go to church. don't you?
mo. sir-Sundays only"
"That's what mean. d. you drink"
"Oh, no. sir" Duncan parroted glib
~, don't smoke. drink, swear. and on
Sundays go to church."
The bland smile with which be faced
Lockwood's keen scrutiny disarmed
suspicion.
I'm glad to hear that" Rlinky told
him. I'm ut the head of the temp
rance movement here. and hope you'll
join us and set an example to our fast
young men,"
81 feel sure could do that" said
Duncan meekly.
Lockwood removed his hat. exposing
the Uranium Of a badheaded eagle.
and famed himself Warm today"
he observed In an endeavor to be genial
that all but sprained his temperament.
Indeed, SO great was the strain that
he winked violently.
~ Il