Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-03-02
CHAPTER XVIII.

"
M again for the Easter holidays,
but she didn't return to finish
~ her term in the New York
school-just why we never discov-
cred. The Lockwoods furnished us
with no really satisfying explanation.
They said that Josie didn't like New
York, but I've always doubted that, es-
pecially since Josie married and in-
sisted on moving straight away to that
metropolis. | suspect she didn't get
along with the class of young women
with whom she was thrown at school,
and I'm pretty certain she was uneasy
about Nat all the time she was so far
away from him.
1t was during this period, between
the Easter vacation and the end of the
spring school term, that Roland Bar
nette's animosity toward Duncan be-
came virulent.
Josie, Of course, WAS prompt to Dust
Angie Tuthill from her place in the
choir. After that she sang with Nat
OH Friday nights as we'll as Wednes-
days and twice per Sunday. Between
vhiles She was "A pretty constant pa
iron of the store. There was no longer
the least doubt in the collective mind
of the town as to the inclination of
Josie's affections.
The elimination came the day before
Betty was to return-a day late in
May. l remember. and a Friday at
that.
1t began along toward evening. Dun
can. alone in the store. was busy be-
hind the prescription counter. Alb
sorbed with his task. he thought him
self quite alone until a we'll kennel
voice reached his ear.
Weir" it said. unctuous with appre-
citation Of the sight of him. "Old Or.
Duncan"
He let the pestle fall from his hand
and jumped as If he had been stuck
with a pin. His jaw dropped and his
eyes bulged. Great Scott he cried
and in twinkling vas round the
counter. throwing himself into the
arms Of a man whom he hailed ecstat-
ically. Harry, by all that's wonder
luz. L idIly ult ~ d'iiSiA.
Henry Kellogg. ESQUIRE" he cried,
holding him at arms length and look
ing him over. What in thundcra
ton are you doing here:'
"On my way to Cincinnati on bust
ness. Thought I'd drop off for a night
and size you up. How are you:'
ME? Look at me-picture of health.
Harry, you've made a new man Of
me-" Duncan pranced round his friend
in a mild frenzy. mo booze, no
smokes. no swears-work! | feel like
a two-year-old. l could do a Marathon
without turning a hair. Watch me
kick up my heels and neigh. And
lsten." Nat crowed. I'm a business
man. Didn't you believe it? Pipe my
shop"
Kellogg turned to obey the admoni-
ton Of Duncan's gesticulations and
took a long look round the store,
"Gad!" said he. I'm bowed If ii
isn't true. 1t was hard to credit your
letters. But it's great, old man, |
congratulate you with all my heart"
Just wait and I'll tell you all about
It. But trst tell me now long you're
going to be here"
"Well, | plan to hang around with
you a couple Of days. My business
H. the west isn't pressing"
Good, I wrote you about taking 6
new place for the Grahamst'
Eyes, and I'm mighty keen to meet
'em. The girl hereT"
Betty? No; she's coming home to
morrow. But Graham himself is up
stairs in the laboratory. Take you uI
In a minute, but not before I've had ;
good look at you"
kellogg found himself a chair
WELL" he inquired, twinkIing, "how'l
the scheme working out? Are 20,
really living up to all the rulesy
Every singletary one
"You have got a strong constitution
Even prayer meetings.
The church thing? Honest, Harry
own It."
Bully for you, Nat. But how doe
it work? Was l right"
IL should say you were. It's S
easy It's a shame to do it. II thi
thing ever should get into the paper
there'd be a swarm Of city men lighI
ing out for the country so thick 20
wouldn't be able to see the sky"
Il knew it, Trust your Uncle Hal
~" Kellogg waited a time for flu
Their particulars, but Duncan SCENE
stuck. And you've made a stron
play for the fond affections OF Loci
woods daughter
Certainly not"
"Not?"
you forget your rules" Nat gril
ned. whimsical. Il let her to make
play for me-"
"Of course. My mistake. But ho'
has 1t worked"
"Oh. immense Duncan's ton
5 however. was wholly destitute of ei