The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-03-10

" VI at the doorstep of the Meth
* odist church Nat hesitated.
~ The building was dimly light
ed. for 1t was choir practice
night, and the door was ajar. but he
couldn't bring himself to enter.
Raving and ranting with the ex-
travagance of youth. he passed through
the village, out into the open country.
and, in the course of an hour and a
half. back. all blindly. circling back to
the store. in the course of his wander
ings. as instinctively as carrier pigeon
shapes it's course for home.
1t was with incredulity that he found
himself again in that cheerful, cher
ished. homely place. But there he was
when he came out of his abstraction
there in those familiar surroundings.
with Tracey's round red face beaming
at him over the cigar stand like a
lively counterfeit of the round red
moon he had watched lift up into the
skies. back there in the still country
side. just as he paused to turn back to
town.
He recollected his faculties and re-
sumed command of himself sufficiently
to acknowledge Tracey's greeting with
a moody word.
"All right. Tracey" he said abrupt.
store''
He looked at his watch and was sur
prised to discover that it was no later
than half past 8. He seemed to have
lived lifetime in the last few hours.
"Thank you. SIR" said Tracey. with a
gush Of gratitude. "Tll be glad to get
off. Angles waitin'"
Angler
"Good evening. Mr.. Duncan"
ooh. Miss Tuthillv' Nat discovered
that little rogue, all smiles and dim
piles and bushes. not distant from his
elbow. II didn't see you'll was think
ing"
Guess we know what you was
thinkin' about" observed Tracey.
bringing his hat round the counter
Everybody in towns talzin' about it."
"About whatT"
"Ah, you know about what. and
we're mighty glad of it. and we want
to congratulate you, don't we, Angler"
"Oh. yes. indeed. Mr.. Duncan. It's
just tooNsweet for anything"
20 Lordw groaned Nat.
I'm awful glad you done 1t when
you did" pursued Tracey. oblivious to
Nat In his own ecstatic temper. 81
guess I wouldn't never we got up the
spunk toto tell Angie what did to-
night f it hadn't been we was talkin'
bout your engagement to Josie. Then,
somehow, it just seemed to bust right
out of me. like | couldn't hold 1t no
longer. Didn't 1t. Angler"
"Oh, Tracey. how can you talk SOL"
'Then you're engaged. tooP' Nat in
CURED. rousing himself little and
smiling feebly upon them.
"Yes. sir"
'I'm glad to hear 1t. It's great news.
Now, run along. both Of you. and don't
forget you'll never be so happy again."
With what he thought an expiring
flash OF humor he raised his hands
above their heads. "Bless you, my
Children he said solemnly. snow. for
heavens sake, beat itp'
Alone he went to the prescription
desk and. opening one of the drawers,
took out the firms books. After that
for some fifteen minutes there was
nothing to be heard In the store save
Mats breathing and the scratching of
his pen as he figured out q trial bal
ance.
Brisk footballs disturbed him. He
sighed and moved out into the store
to find Kellogg there, suave and easy,
as always, yet with that in his man.
ner. perceptible perhaps only to a
friend Of long standing like Nat, to be-
tray q mind far from complacent
'Oh, you're herer' he cried, with a
distinct start Of relief I've been look.