Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-03-09

YOU III have nothing to say"
THANK you for nothing" said Dun
can bitterly. "A bargains a bargain.
gave you my word of honor I'd go
through with this thing. and I'll stick
to 1t. But l tell you don't like It,"
"Oh. | know how you feel. Nat. But
| know that some day you'll come to
me and say. Harry if you had let me
back out Id never have forgiven
you"
"All right" said Nat impaticntly.
81 presume you know best"
CHAPTER NIX.
an CUSTOMER came and went
A after Kellogg had gone up
x % stairs TO meet sam Graham
and then Nat noticed that twi-
light was beginning to darken the
store.
Tracey returned 10 look after the
store during the supper hour, but was
delighted to hear that he need not re
main. but could go back to his beloved
Angie.
Now Nat moved to the windows and
switched on the bulbs behind the huge
glass jars filed with tinted water. Re
turning. he was about to connect NJ
the remainder Of the Illuminating sya-
TEN when Josie, entering, stayed him.
Later he was glad of this.
Nat"
He knew that voice. "Why, Josie"
he exclaimed IN surprise, swinging
about to discover her standing on the
threshold. very dainty and fetching.
indeed. in one of the summary froCks
she had brought back from New York.
She moved over to him, holding out
her hand. He took it with disguised
reluctance.
I'm so glad" She sighed. Il want
ed to see you-to talk to you alone"
He bit his lip in his annoyance, shiv-
ering with IA presentimcnt. What
about JOSEF"
About Wednesday night, after pray
err meeting. Why didn't you wait for
me:'
"Why-ah--I had to get back to the
store. you know. There were some
checks to be made out and sent off
anu / u lOlSDltcu luCul. DtSlueS, Ut
added on inspiration. you We're talk
ing with Roland and didn't want to
interrupt you"
4 so you left me to go home with
him."
"Why. what else
you're making me awful unhap-
py" Her voice tremblcd. You knew
= H. IL II I, Do,
land"
How could ] know that?"
81 should think you ought to know
it. Nat. unless you're blind Besides,
i told you once
True" he fenced desperately. but
that was a long time ago, and how
could | be sure you hadn't changed
your mind: Besides. you know,
mustn't monopolize you. If | do
"Well?"
"Why. if l do-ah"--
'1f you're afraid people will talk
about us, seeing us so much together,
you needn't worry. They're doing
that now
why. josie
gether so long. And even now you
don't seem glad to see me-
You should know am
you don't act like it,
Its so unexpected" he muttered
wretchedly.
you didn't really think ! wanted
Roland Barnette to go home with Inc
pI iuh
1T seemed So but that's all right
Why shouldn't you:'
She turned to him, trembling a lit
tie. Must tell you, Nat?"
"Oh no." he cried in dismay
please don't"
81 see must" she persisted You're
so blind. IT,.
Josie, dont say anything you'll be
sorry for" he entreated wildly.
Il can't help it; I've got to. 1t was
it was because l wanted to be with
you. There" she gasped, frightened
by her own forwardness. Vow I've
said it,
Duncan grasped frantically a,
straws. "But you don't really NEAR
it, Josie. You know you don't" he
noundcred. You're just saying tha
because you-you have such a kline
heart nd-ah-don't wont to hurt mc
-ah-because"-
Nat" she said gently. looking VI
into his face. would it make YOU hap
by to know really meant it,
"Why-ah-why shouldn't H. JOSIE
"Thcn please believe me when SAY
It,"
"But | do believe it, r. He STAN
mered and fell still.
"Recausc | do like you, Nat, very
much and-and It's very hard for ne
to know that folks think I'm pursuin,
you and that you're trying to ayo:C
me"
Josie" he exclaimed reproachfully
"Well. that's the way 1t looks" sh,
affirmed plaintivcly. you don't wan
It to, do you!"
"Why, no; OF course ! don't"
Then why don't you stop it," Sh'
watched his face, her manner coy nnt
yielding. Nat" she said in n softe
! voice, "if you Ike me as well as lil,,
= you
lie moved away pace or two
"Ah, child" he said. with feoini
! that the term was not misapplie
somehow, you don't know wha
. you're saying
"Yes. do" she poutcd. 81 don
believe you caro- anything about me"