The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-07

| Nat, looking on from behind the
 soda fountain, saw the pathetic figure
 received a blow.
 Toto turn me out of the store,
 you meaD?" he faltered l Sherif Willing was not of a disposi-
 ton to discuss the matter. He had come for a specific purpose and he was noisy in declaring it.
 Well now, Sam,' he shouted, "there aint no use whinin' about 1t, law is law"
 Duncan decided it was time to in | terfere.
 Graham, with trembling lips, was | standing in front of the bullying off, cial, twirling his hat helplessly and thinking doubtless of Betty, and her pitff,ll little request for new dress,
 and of what was to hoopene of her now.
 Nat stepped between the two men
 when the sheriff's tone was most stri- dent
 Here, never mind yelling your head off," he said, "nobodys deaf
 around there.''
 Willing looked him over with amaze
 ment and no little resentment.
 What have you got to do with it ?"
 he demanded. sharply.
 '1'll show you if you'll tell me the
 amount of that note.'' retorted Nat.
 Willing started another moment or
 two and lowered his voice consider
 ably when he replied
 Well, with the interest and costs 1t
 figures up three hundred and ninety
 dollars and eighty-two cents"
 himself quickly.
 | ''Oh, is that all?'' he said, lightly,
 and while Sam wandered yearly to- | ward the gas-burner machine and stared out of the window and Sheriff Wiling took a look around the store | H<N tnH xI%~A sk- ILL
 bring at sheriffs sale, Nat hastily
 transferred his roll of bills from his 1 pocket to the cash drawer. to which
 he had walked direct Then with flourish he took the money from the
 bills compartment and came forward counting it over before the bulging eyes of Sam and the sheriff One, two, three, four," he counted, l turning over packet of twenty-dol-
 lar bills each time. -Four hundred
 dollars. MT. Sheriff. Will you kind
 ly give me that note and the change and then place yourself on the other l side of that door?" sherif Willing did. not know exact ly what to do in this stupefying eit- | uation, but his first impulse was to promptly. He appeared to bow to-
 ward the roll of yel1owbacks. 1T atnt got the note with me-" he stammered, in docile tones.
 
 the bank and get it," suggested the hnancier.
 la Pete started immediately. but a thought struck him before he reach ed the doorway and he turned back Can I have the money?" he asked "Wen. don't know you," retorted Duncan, severely. Are you regu- lar sheriff?"
 Willing humbly and silently showed his badge and Nat examined it care Ynyv nv,1 2I | the packet of money. The sheriff | ran his fingers over the edges of the bills to assure himself they were not beer-keg stamps. slammed his hat on | on again and dashed away to Lock-
 wood with the amazing news while Graham, who had been slowly awak- en1ng to realization of what was going on, came forward to Nat with
 outstretched. trembling hands.
 1T can't allow you to. do this.
 my boy" he began, with tears in his
 voice. You're stranger to me- | Don't feel that way about it," said Nat, cheerily. @It's done now. We
 couldn't have this place closed up just when our new goods are going
 to come in, you know" l Well, then. I'll turn the store over to you.' the old man began again
 when Nat stopped him hurriedly. | "Oh. Lord, no. Don't do that!' he
 exclaimed in alarm. i Graham looked at him helplessly l Then can't accept your kindness,
 my boy" he said, unless you think
 a partnership would be-"
 That's it!' Duncan cried, excited ly. "a partnership! That's the very
 idea. All right we're partners. Now.
 tested, as Graham attempted to talk
 You said you had some paint for
 these shelves. If you'll get it, I'll
 try to fix 'em up" | "Yes, it's at the house." said the
 old man. ''I'll get it.'' l He paused uncertainty near the door | and turned to his new partner with
 a beatific smile.
 | "If Fate-or-or something-hadn't brought you here to-day" he said, "I
 don't know what would have happen
 ed to Betty and me. Perhaps, to a l gentleman of your wealth, $40O doesn't mean much. but to me it's meant ev- erything. I only hope I can repay you-some day-God bless you my boy. God bless you.'' He passed out, wiping his eyes, and when he was gone Nat slowly drew | from his pocket the remains of his former plethoric roll He looked at it sadly. And Harry said I couldn't get rid of that stake in a year! He doesn't | know how fast this little town is!'' He had scarcely turned away from
 the door when he spied the gaunt fig | | CT, passing the window and glancing | in inquiringly.
 ''Father-in-law!'' he shouted to the | stove and the fountain. 'I must | De a businessman again And he plunged once more into the
 pile of dusty sponges in the window
 which he had arranged and rear | ranged a half-dozen times since go- ing into trade few hours before. The 1 banker strode in and approached Nat with genial smile MT. Duncan?" he asked "Yes, sir,'' replied Nat face to face with the great man at last, ''Mr. | Lockwood. believer
 Yes. I'm glad to meet you" and 1 he thrust out his hand, which Nat | eagerly seized
 | Thank you sir" he said in his best Sunday school manner. "Pete Willin' was tellin' me you'd | just took up that note of Graham's." went on the banker Well here's | some, change that's comin' to you and | if you'll have Sam step over to the
 bank, they'll give him the note I'm glad you're comin' in here with Sam" he added, after a scrutiny of Nat, 1 who stood before him with downcast eyes.
 ooh. it's only temporary" said the young man. "I am devoting much of l my time to my studies, but I feel that should be earning something, too." That's right" declared Lockwood