The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-03-23

one time rival,
"You'll flnd out soon enough > snarl.
I'd RoIard .sIr, f.ockwnod.s M Soma a,,,
thing 70 say to yan. guess.
And on the heels Of this announce.
ment Lockwood strobe Into the store
Josie clinging to bis arm. Pete will.sS
"a tribe more saaely drunk than he
had been some hours preylous--brlng-
ing up the rear.
So snarled Blinky, hating and
transfixing Nat with the stare OF his
cold blue eyes-"so we've found YOU.
ehY"
oh? didn't know was lost"
mo nonsense, young man. / ain't
in the humor for foolin'." BIlnky was
unquestionably in no sort of llumor
at al beyond an evil one. II come
here TO have word with you"
Well, sir?" Mats tone and attitude
were perfectly pacific.
"Ah, there amt no use beatin' round
the bush. You've behaved yourself
ever since you gone to Radville and
insinooated yourself into our conf
dence, spite Of the fact that nobody
IN town Knows vino you were before
you came. But now Roland's laid a
charge agin you. and l want to know
the rights TO It."
Well" Roland interposed cockily.
Il accused him of it tonight, and he
didn't deny it,
Whats more" Lockwood continued,
With rising color, "Roland says he can
prove it"
Prove what% Nat insisted. "Get
down to facts. can't you:"
THAT you're a thief. with reward
out for you" said Roland. you're
that Mortimer Henry what absconded
from the Longacre National bank in
Moo York"
There fell a brief pause. Nat bowed
his head and tugged at his mustache.
his shoulders shaking with emotion va
riously construed by those who watch
ed him. Presently he looked up again.
his features gravely composed.
"Roly," said he, "Balaam must miss
you terribly"
That amt no answer" Lockwood
put himself solidly between Nat and
the object of his obscure remark. who
was painfully digesting it. IT want to
know about this. You got my daugh-
ter 10 say she'd marry you this even.
in. and you've got to explain to me
about this bank business before 1t
goes any further"
"Yes?" commented Nat civilly.
Yes" Numbered Bllnly. "Do you
leny It? Answer me-"
To Kellogg's huge diversion Nat
struck an attitude. 81 refuse to an
swer," said he.
AHA! What'd l tell you" This
was Roland's triumphant crow.
'tNatm Josie advanced, trembling
with excitement. 'rrell me. what does
this mean:"
Duncan pcrforce avoided her gaze.
Don't ask" lie said sadly.
rs it truey" she insisted.
You heard what Roly said" he re-
piled. with chastened expression.
Then you admit itfY
Il admit nothing"
"Oh-h" The girl drew away from
him as from deflement al hnte
you!' she cried in a voice of loathlng.
That's all right" he told her Sc.
renely. I've despised myself all even,
ing
The girl showed him a scornful
hack. Papa she began.
Don't thank me. Josie. Roland
ltlone II all. lie got on TO him" Lock.
wood continued to watch Duncan with
the mir ofa cat eying mouse.
Impulsively Josie moved to Roland's
side and caught his arm. He drew
himself upproudly.
II do thank you, Roland. can nev.
cr be grateful enough. I've been so
foolish"
THAT'S all right" Roland tucked
the girls hand beneath his arm and
Ipatted 1t down. you wasn't to blame
never seen any one from Moo York
yet that wasn't a crook
Won't you please take me awey
from misplace, Roland? she ap.
pealed.
'T'll be nightly glad to see you
home, JOSIE" he assured her generous.
Iy, turning.
In the act Of leaving Josie caught
Mats eye. She hung back for an in.
slant, whitening him with glare.
"oh-hF she cried. How did you dare
pretend to care for me-"
He bowed politely. at was one Of
the rules. JOSIE"
There's no need to tell you, guess.
that the engagement is broken"
None whatever, Miss Lockwood
Good evening"
Como. Rolandw
Arm in arm they left, with the
naughty tread Of the elect. while Pete
Willing lurched to Duncan's side and
caught his arm.
Come long to jail. Mish'r Duncan"
he said, with sympathy. "Aiush bes.
sher."
You look after him, Pete" Lock.