Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-06-30
Copyright. 1910. by Winchell Smith
and Louis Joseph Vance


there'd be swarm Of city men light
ing out for the country so thick you
wouldn't be able to see the sky"
Il knew it. Trust your Uncle Har-
ry." Kellogg waited Il time for fur
Their particulars. but Duncan seemed
stuck. And you've made strong
play for the fond affections OF Lock
woods daughter:"
"Certainly mott"
Not"
You forget your rules" Nat grin
ned whimsical. Il let her to make Il
play for me"
"Of course My mistake. But how
has ii worked"
oh. immenser' Duncan'S tone
however, was wholly destitute of en-
thuslasm. He stuck his hands in his
trousers pockets and half turned
away from his friend. looking out Of
the window.
Kellogg smiled secretly. You mean
you've won her already? Then you're
engaged| kellogg had understood
perfectly. you STE
mo. not yet I've got two months
left-almost."
so you have. And since she's so
strong for you there's no hurry. Let
her take her time"
Il only wish she would" Duncan
removed one hand from the pocket the
better to tug at his mustache. It's
got beyond that-to the point where
have to keep lodging her"
"You don't mean il. That's splen-
did" Kellogg got up and slapped
Mats shoulder heartily. But don't
overdo the lodging. She might get
her back mp"
Not she She'd eat out of my hand
If Ia let her. You don't understand"
whats the matter, then? Aren't
you strong for her,
Il wish 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 that?'
Nat, suuarng himself TO face kel-
logg. was very serious now aud trou-
blcd. See here. Harry" he said. u
you really want me to carry out the
rest of the agreement"
"AIost certainly do. Why not?'
Because I'm pretty well fixed here.
The business is making good. and so
am |. 1t won't be long before | 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 you"
You want to go back on your agree
ment?" demanded Kellogg. with a
show Of disappointment and disgust.
"Yes and TO | 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 a chance at anything. no matter
how contemplate. Now-well. it's diff
ferent''
IOOC usdFeAS. 4Ou ool I hlSoA
you'd be willing to live here:"
Nat smiled. but not mirthfully. II
don't know" be hesitated. "I'm afraid
I'm beginning to like it."
"You. Nat? Kellogg's Amusement
was unfeigned. You ready to spend
your life here shaving away in this
measly storer
Duncan grunted Indignantly. Hold
on. now. Don't you call this measly
store There isn't more complete
drug store In the stated"
do you hear thatr Kellogg ap
pealed vehemently to the universe at
large. us it possible that this Is Nat
Duncan, the fellow who hated work so
hard he couldn't earn living? Cad,
! believe I've arrived just in time"
'In time for what"
ITO save you from yourself, old
man. Here's the heiress 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 | must. But can't help
it. l can't make you see how the
thing looks to me. You know-Tve
written you all about everything
what this place has meant to me.
Until l came here | never realized it
was In me to make good at anything
But here l have. I'm doing so we'll
that I'd actually have some self re-
spect If | 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 were
worth it,
"Who? Sam Grahamw
HE and his daughter
"Oh, his daughter"
snow. get that foolish idea out of
your head. There's nothing in it
Betty's just simple. sweet little girl
who's had a pretty hard time and
never a real chance in life-until
managed to give it to her.. And I'd
feel pretty good about that if Oh,
there's no use talking to your
mo; go on. You're very entertain
ing" Kellogg laughed mockingly.
well, l have tried to keep to the
terms Of our understanding. l singled
out this Lockwood girl and worked all
the degrees-didn't say much, you
know-no lovemaking-just let her
catch me looking sadly at her once In
awhile"
That's the way to work it"
Eyes, that's the way" Nat assented