Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-01-05

| But. cn1iOiike. sue was no' 'S0uy ~
own her sorrow. and she turned her
back. trembling.
Sam. too. was shaken In his heart
he knew there was justification for her
Indictment, ruth in what she had said
And he was heartbrokeD for her He
got up unsteadily and put gentle
hand upon her shoulder
"Why, Betty-T-
A dry sob interrupted him. he pull
ed himself together and forced his
voice to tone of confidence. lust
be a little patient. dear I'm sure
things will be better with us soon
Just a little more patience; that's all.
WHY. there was gentleman here this
morning from Moo York city talkin
about an invention of mine"
The girl moved restlessly. shaking
off his hand. "Invention!" she echoed
bitterly "Oh. father! Everybody
knows they're no good. You've been
wastin' time on 'em ever since I can
remember. and you've never made a
dollar out Of one yet"
He bowed to the truth Of his. then
again braced up bravely. But this
gentleman seemed quite interested.
He's over to the Bigelow House now.
think I'll step over and have talk
with him
you'd much better go and have
talk with Blinky Lockwood" she told
him brutally He's waitin for you
at the bank and said he wasn't goin'
to wait after II o'clock neither!''
well. perhaps you're right. I'll go
there. It's after II. but He start
ed to get his hat and stopped with an
exclamation why, Nat! didn't
know you'd got back!"
Duncan was at the back of the store
clearing the last remnants of the old
stock from the shelves Yes" he said
pleasantly. without turning. i've been
here some time cleaning up the cellar
to make room for the stuff that's com
ing in | came upstairs just moment
ago, but you We're so busy talking you
didn't notice me-
He paused. swept the empty shelves
with a calculating glance and came
out around the end of he counter
"Everything's in tiptop shape" he
said 81 checked up the bill of ladine
myself, and there's not Il thing miss
ing. not bit Of breakage. Mr. Ora
ham," he continued. dropping a gentle
hand on the old mans shoulder.
you're going to have the finest drug
store in the state within six months
With the stuff that Sperry has sent us
we can make Sothern & Lee look
like 65 cents on the dollar. We're
going to make things hum in this
old shop, and don't you forget it."
He laughed lightly. with note Of
encouragement But he avoided Ora
hams eyes even as he did Betty's. He
could not meet the pitiful look Of the
former. any more than that stare of
hostility and defiance in the latter.
ITS good of you. my boy" Ora
ham quavered. "I-but I'm afraid 1t
WON'T
"Now don't say that" Duncan inter-
posed firmly. And don't let me keep
you. l think you said you were going
out on business? And I'll be busy
enough right here"
And. without exactly knowing how 1t
had come about. Graham found him.
self in the street. stumbling downtown
toward the bank
When he. had gone Duncan would
have returned TO the shelves for a final
redding up. He desired least Of all
things an encounter with Betty in her
present frame Of mind. With sud.
den movement she threw herself in
front of Duncan.
$50 you were hstening!"
"Tm sorry" he said uncomfortably
II didn't mean to hear anything" be
argued plaintively II was in the
room before l understood and by the
time did 1t was too late-you had
finished"
"Oh. don't try to explain. IL hate
your she continued
He held her eyes inquiringly. yes
he said in the tone of one who solves q
puzzling problem. Il believe you do"
She looked away. shaking with pas.
sion. You just better believe it."
But" he went on quietly. ''you
don't hate your father. too. do you
Miss Graham?
What do you mean by that. Mr..
Duncan?"
Il mean" he said. faltering, "I'm
going to give you a bit Of advice
Don't you talk to your father again
the way you did just now
We'll. you amt mev' she cried say.
agely. you amt me! Understand
that? When l want advice from you
III ask for it Until ! do you let me
alone"
Very WELL" he replied so calmly
that she lost her bearings for a mo-
ment. And inevitably this. emphasiz-
ing as it did all that she resented most
in him-his educa Oh. wit, address. his
-n HsM