Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-01-08

ABERDEt ~
Published every MI
=
HUNTER
Novelized by
LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
From the Play of the
Same Name by
WINCHELL SMITH
:, -
[CoNTINCED.]
[CONTINCED.J

"You don't mean it. That's spen-
did" Kellogg got up and slapped
Mats shoulder heartily. But don't
overdo the lodging She might get
her back up"
Not She She'd eat out of my hand
If I'd let her. You don't understand"
whats the matter. then? Aren't
you strong for her2"
II wish | were."
But why? Is there another
mo" Nat shook his head, honestly
believing he was telling the truth.
"Only don't look at things the way l
did once"
"Just what do you mean by that"
Nat. squaring himself to face KEEL
logg, was very serious now and trou-
bled. See here. Harry" he said, do
you really want me to carry out the
rest of the agreements"
~Alost certainly do. Why not?"
because I'm pretty well fixed here.
The business is making good. and so
am l. 1t won't be long before | can
pay you back, with interest. as we
agreed. without having to marry that
poor girl and draw on her money to
make good to you"
You want to 60 back on your agree
ment?" demanded Kellogg. with a
show Of disappointment and disgust
Eyes and no. ! won't break faith
with you. if you insist, but I'd give
lot If you'd let me off-let me pay
back what you advanced and cry quits.
When you outlined this scheme | was
gown and three times out, willing to
take Il chance at anything, no matter
how contemplate. Now-well, it's diff
ferent'
Good heavens! You don't mean
y'ou'd be willing to live here?"
Nat smiled, but not mirthfully. Il
don't know" he hesitated. "I'm afraid
I'm beginning to like it,
"You, Nat?" Kelloggs amazement
was unfeigned. You ready to spend
your life here shaving away in this
measly store?"
Duncan grunted Indignantly. Hold
on, now. Don't you call this measly
store. There isn't more complete
drug store in the stated"
do you hear that?" Kellogg ap
pCulCu NCACHCAtiy " liiS uAAN e. &C at
large. us 1t possible that this Is Nat
Duncan, the fellow who hated work so
hard he couldn't earn living? Cad.
believe I've arrived just in time"
SIN time for what"
ITO save you from yourself old
man. Here's the heiress you came
here to cop out, ready and anxious,
everything else coming your way. and
and you're more than half inclined
to back out. You make me tired"
81 suppose | must. But | can't help
1t. l can't make you see how the
thing looks to me. You know-I've
written you all about everything
what this place has meant to me.
Until l came here | never realized it
was in me to make good mt anything.
But here | have. I'm doing so we'll
that I'd actually have some self re-
spect If | wasn't bound to play this
low down trick on Josie Lockwood.
I've worked and succeeded and been
of some service to people who were
worth it,"
"Who? Sam Graham"
''IIe and his daughter"-
ooh, his daughter!"
"Now, get that foolish idea out of
your head There's nothing in it.
Betty's just a simple. sweet little girl
who's had q pretty hard time and
never real chance in life-until
managed to give it to her. And I'd
feel pretty good about that If Oh.
there's no use talking to you"
"No; go on. You're very entertain
ing" kellogg laughed mockingly.
"Well, have tried to keep to the
terms Of our understanding. | singled
out this Lockwood girl and worked all
the degrees -didnt say much. you
know-no lovemaking-just let her
catch me looking sadly at her once in
awhile"
"That'S the way to work it."
"Yes. that's the way" Nat assented
gloomily.
Kellogg laughed with delight Nat"
he cried, my poor crazy friend. listen
to me. This working and church 60
ing and helping old Graham is all
very noble and fine. and I'm glad
you've done it. This drug store is a
monument to the business ability that
l always knew was latent in you.
And clean living hasn't done you any
harm. But now you're due to come
down to earth This place pays you a
neat profit. Well and good. That's
all it'll ever do It's new to you now,
and you like the novelty. and you're
having the time of your life finding
out you're good for something But
pretty soon it'll begin to stale on you.
and before lone you'll find yourself
hating it and The town "nd then YOU II
be back W here yen started New. I'm