Putnam patriot., 1911-02-17
a THE 4 FORT UNE HUNTER
 @ S
 Noveiized by LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE From the Play of the Same Name by WINCHEs.L SMITH
 t5 Copyright soIo. by Wincheli Smith and Louis Joseph Vance
Copyright. soIo by Winchell Smith and
 Louis Joseph Vance

wretchedIy.
 It's true. And when you sent me away to school l promised myself I'd try to repay you for the sacrifice you must be making for me; that I'd fol low your example as nearly as ever l could. that I'd work hard and try to treat people the way you do-kindly, Nat. and considerably and braveiy and tenderly and honestly
 He dropped into a chair near her and buried his head in his haDds. -i5en,tp' be begged huskily. "Please, Betty, don't"
 She bent forward and took one of his hands, batting it softly. Nat, think you re the very best man ill the whole worldr
 "Dontr he groaned. Don't. for heavens saker'
 "0h. l know. Natl know you don't like ne to say this, but 1 must, just the same. tell you the truth about my self It's SD splendid to live the life you do You're all unconscious of it, but l want you to realize il aud know that I do 100 You've made everybody love you. and
 But confusion silenced her. and she gently replaced bis hand. For several moments neither spoke. Then Nat broke the tension with a short, hard laugh
 That's right" he said inscrutably; that was the idea"
 Nat what de you meanY'
 He turned to her Betty, does it make you-feel that way toward me?"
 She eoiored divinely. Why. Nat, of course. Why, every one"-
 "Thats why came here. Betty" he pursued. blind to her embarrass- ment. "I came here with the idea ef getting married
 He was staring gloomily at the floor and could not see the light that dawn ed upon the girls face.
 You newer guessed that. did your
 No" she breathed brokenly. Nc Nat. I'-
 Well. it's the truth. and"- He rose and moved away Put l can't teh you just Dow-inot now"
 No, not aUv. Nat" Betty. too, goi up. "l ,hilk i'd better :ge home and zee father l mustn't forget"- She faltered. half biinded by the mist of The happiness iefsre her eyes.
 "No-wait." She stopped to find his i-aze full upon her For the first time Be comprPhvnded that she had not understood hat. worst of all. she had misunderstood T must tell you he bIurted desperately; Fl must instinctivety she moved step to- ward him Ife hung his head
 Tonight. Retty-this evening. just itOtle while age, lbecame engaged to Josie Lockwood She stood as if petritied throughout a waft that seemed to both intermi- uable.
 -Oh. Nat. dear" she said. Him so glad for you. l wish you all the hap piness in the world. L. Good night. The hand slipped out od Nar's. He did nOt move but waited there with his empty palm outstreached. despair in his eyes and hell in his heart. while she walked quietly from the -store. After some time he aWolse to the knowiedSe that she was gGsae. "Blitherins fool" Le srowled. Why iNln1 1 know ioved her like this v He took turn to and fro. distracted. And now I've made Il mess of every thing. Good Lord. what can do? | must do souet hjug or go mad, He swung round behind the soda fountain counter and seized bottle -'l kaow vhat. The rules are off! can have drink, l can have two drinks! ean have a million drinks if want
 em''
 Pouring a generous dose of raw whisky into the glass, he lifted it to his fins and threw back his head. But the heavy bouquet of the liquor was stlIing in his nosrils, and the nrsf nfanfhful of il almost choked him. In T fury he flung the glass from him s@ -tbsf il crashed and splintered upon the Geer. Great heavens" he cried. "l doa.t Iike the stuff any more! But = his gaze fell upon the cigar case-"l can hare a smoke That'il help some With feYprish haste he snatched cigar from the nearest box. gnawed of one end and, thrusting the athef into the alcohol lighter puffed Figor- opsly. But Go his renovated palate the potent fumes of the tobacco were no less renugnant than the whisky haG been. Half stransled. he plucked the ci.rar from his mouth and stamped ob it.
 "Oh." he cried wildly. "Ill be-Ill be damned"
 He paused. staring vacantly at noth- ing And even that doesn't do any good. God help me, I've forgotten how to swear To him in this overwrought state came Tracey. numbering cheerfully in. his mouth shaped for whistle. At sight of Nat he pulled up as if hit by a club.
 .Evenin'. Mir Duncan. Whats the matterT'
 By an effort Nat brought his gaze to bear upon the boy and comprehend ed his existence
 .Ain.t you feelin' well. Mfr. Duncany "No-rotten" sswhat's the matter?" "Nothing" Nat shouted ferociousiy. @Anything l kim "Now
 At that instant Kellogg appeared ~Hello. Nat. What's been keeping