The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-02-03

fate or something hadn't brought you
here today | don't know what would
have happened to Retty and me-"
"Never mind" Duncan tried to
soothe him. "Just don't you think
about It." ~
Graham shook his head. still bewil-
dered. Perhaps" he stumbled on.
Ito a gentleman OF your wealth $500
isn't much
NO" said Duncan gravely without
the flicker of an eyelash. .'nothing He
remembered well the few dollars that
now represented all his worldly goods
Then he smiled cheerfully. There.
THAT'S all right"
ITO me IT'S meant everything. III
only hope I'll be able to repay you
some day. God bless you. my boy!
God bless your
He managed to JAIN his hat awry on
IBIS white old head and lind his way
out, his hands fumbling with one an
other. his lips moving inaudibly. per-
haps In prayer Of thanksgiving.
II was perhaps within the next thir-
ty minutes that Betty (who had been
left In charge OF the store while Dun
can. with coat and collar OF and
sleeves rolled above his elbows. hack
ed and pounded and pried and banged
at the packing cases In the back yard
sought him on the scene of his labors.
Pretty good work for York dude
notT' he laughed
There was shadowy smile in her
grave eyes. "It's an Improvement"
she said evenly.
He shot her curious glance.
"Ouchr he said thoughtfully.
81 just came to tell you" she went
on. again immobile. you're wanted in.
side"
Somebody wants to see meT he de-
handed of her retreating back.
"Yes."
"But who
"Blinky Lockwood" she replied over
her shoulder as she went into the
house.
, LOCKWOOD" He speculated, for an
instant puzzled. then suddenly "Fa-
ther-in-law!' he cried. "Shivering
snakes. he mustn't catch me like this
|, business mani"
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 Blinky nosing round the
room. quite alone. Betty had disap-
peared. and the old scoundrel was hav-
ing quite an enjoyable time poking in.
to matters that did NOT concerl him
and disappearing of them on general
principles. So far ~ the improve
ments concerned old Sam Graham's
fortunes. Binky 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
asked. with his leer. moving down to
meet Nat.
Eyes. sir. Mr.. Lockwood. believer"
That's me-" Blinky clutched his
hand in genial claw I'm glad to
meet you"
THANK you" said Duncan. Some
thing | can do for you. sir?"
'Waal. Pete Willin was tellin' me
you'd just took up this note Of Ora
ham's?"
"Not exactly. The firm took 1t up"
Blnky winked savagely at this
1.-THE firm-what hrm?"
ezra ham & Duncan. sir. I'VE been
taken into partnership"
"Have, eh?" Blinky grunted mystic
riously and fshed in his pocket for
some bills and silver WAL, here's
some change comm to the firm, then
And here" be added, producing the
document In question, 'is Sans note"
THANK you" Duncan ceremonious
~ 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
"Tm 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 a seraphic
expression and partially succeeded
I'm devoting much Of my time to