Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-01-11

LOCKWOOD"
you suppose l have any memory" she
went on. "You began making me n
better girl the very first day we met
here in the store by the things you
said to me- And ever since I've been
watching you while you were making
life heaven for father and me and
thinking that if | were man I'd try
to be as near like you as l could"
"Oh, don't say that" he pleaded
wretchedly.
Its true. And when you sent me
away to school 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 |
could; that I'd work shard and try to
treat people the way you do-kindly,
Nat, and considerably and bravely and
tenderly and honestly
He dropped into chair near her and
buried his head in his hands. "Dont!'
he begged huskily. "Please. Betty,
don'tv
She bent forward and took one of
his hands, patting it softly. NAT,
think you're the very best man in the
whole world"
"Don'tr' he groaned. Don't, for
heavens sake!'
"Oh, know, Natl know you don't
like me to say this, but l must, just
the same, tell you the truth about my
70 III 20
you do. You're all unconscious Of it,
but want you to realize it and know
that l do too. 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 short, hard
laugh.
"That's right" he said inscrutably;
that was the idea"
"Nat. what do you mean?'
He turned to her. Betty. does 1t
make you-feel that way toward me?"
She colOred divinely. why, Nat.
Of course. Why. every one
"That's why l came here. Betty"
he pursued. blind to her embarrass-
ment. 81 came here with the idea of
getting married"
He was staring gloomily at the floor
and could not see the light that dawn
ed upon the girls face.
You never guessed that, did you?"
"No," she breathed brokenly. mo.
Nat, r.
"Well, it's the truth, and He rose
and moved away. But I can't tell
you just now-not now"
mo, not now, Nat" Betty, too, got
up. II think I'd better go home and
see father. mustn't forget She
faltered. half blinded by the mist of
the happiness before her eyes,
"No-wait." She stopped to find his
gaze full upon her. For the first time
he comprehended that she had not
understood-that, worst of all, she had
misunderstood. II must tell you," he
blurted desperately; II must"
Instinctively she moved step to-
ward him. He hung his head.
"Tonight, Betty-this evening, just
q little while ago, became engaged
to Josie Lockwood"
She stood as If petri6ed throughout
a wait that seemed to both interim
nable.
"Oh, Nat. DEAR" she said, I'm so
glad for you. wish you all the hap
piness In the world. l. Good night"
The hand slipped out Of Mats. He
did not move but waited there with
bis empty palm outstretched. despair
In his eyes and hell In his heart, while
she walked quietly from the store
After some time be awoke to the
knowledge that she was gone.
"Blithering foolw he growled. "Why
didn't l know loved her like thisT'
He took a turn to and fro, distracted.
And now I've made q mess Of every. |
thing. Good Lord. what can do?.
must do something or 60 mad" He
swung round behind the soda fountain
counter and seized a bottle. II know
what! The rules are of! I can have
4 drink! l can have two drinks! l :
.sn have a million drinks II want