The Sentinel=record., 1911-12-31

DELHI " AD NO-tfAt-t0 A~t A'-t- oA1OAF pen. which started to tell why Duncan didn't want ro go 10 Josie Lockwood's party l was long in finding out. but not so long as Duncan hlmself per haps. by which mean to say that he was conscious of the desire not to go and determined not to without stop ping to anaiyze the cause of that de- sire more than very superfcially.
 It happened. toward the close of the eyentful day already detailed at such length. that as Duncan was entering the house with load of boxed goods he heard voices in the store-young voices. Of which one was already too familiar to his ears He paused. wait ing for them to get through with their business and go, for he had no time to waste just then. even upon the heiress of his manufactured destiny. Betty was then working in the shop told Sam having gone upstairs for little rest, who was oyerwrought and weary with the excitement of that day), and it was Duncan's hope that she would be able to serve the custom ers without his assistance.
 There were two of them, you see Josie and Angie Tuthill-hunting. as usual. in couples. And while he walt ed. not meaning to eavesdrop. but un- willing to betray his whereabouts by moving, he heard very clearly their passage with Betty.
 He overheard first distinctly, Betty responding in expressionless tones: Hello. Angie. Hello, Josie"
 There ensued what seem@ a slight ly awkward pause. then Josie pain fully sweet, Did you get the invita- ton, Betty?'
 Betty moved into Duncan's range of vision. apparently intending to come and call him. She turned at the uues- ton, and he saw her small. thin little body and pinched face en silhouette against the fading light beyond. He saw, too that she was stiffeuing her. self as if for some unequal contest
 The invitationy she questioned duly. but with her head up and steady.
 Why" said Josie. q sent you one to the party. you know-my lawn feet next week"
 l give the local pronunciation as it is.
 Did youT
 'I gave it to Tracey for you" per sisted the tormentor. Didn't you get itY'
 Betty caught at her breath inaudibly. Only Duncan could see the little spasm of modification and anger that shook her.
 "Oh. perhaps I did" she said short ly. Tn ask Mir Duncan to wait on you"
 She swung quickly out into the hall way, slaMming tine door behind her and so darkening 1t that she didn't de- tect Duncan's shadowed figure. And If she had meant to call him she must have forgotten it. for an instant later he heard her stumbling up the stairs, and as she disappeared he caught the echo of q smothered sob
 He waited motionless. too disturbed at the time to care to enter the store and endure Josies vapid advances. and through the thin partition there came to him their sharp comments on Betty's ungracious behavior
 "Weitr
 Josie said finally: "Oh, come on. Don't let's wait any longer I don't think it's healthy to drink sody so soon before dinner, anyway"
 Angie glanced significantly at Josie, saying:
 And, besides. we only wanted to hear''-
 Their voices with their footsteps dl- minished. Duncan allowed a prudent interval to elapse, entered the store and began to bestow the goods he had brought in.
 While he was at work the light failed. He stopped for lack of 1t just as Betty came downstairs.
 'Hellor' he said cheerfully. "Know where the matches are?"
 Yes" She moved behind a counter and fetched him q few. Are you most doneY' she inquired. not un- friendly, as he took down from It's bracket one of the oil lamps.
 Hardly" he responded, touching