The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-08
(Contin.ued.)


 Yes. that's my business, Mir. Ora ham," he was saying. Sometimes nave bought odd no-accout things that have made me a lot of money and more times they never amount to anything, but that burner you've got here sort of took my fancy Such n curious idea-I sort of took to 1t. ' he went on. "It's patented. isn't it?' he asked
 Yes. sir" said Sam ''I took out patent on it."
 Do you want to sell the patent? asked Bsnnham. careles0ly.
 Nat ce1esd his attempts at work and listened intently. The talk had a familiar air somehow, and he was try lng to recall something that had slip ped from his memory. ,1
 well. If you thing it's worth any thing" began Graham, walking slowly toward the Gas-burner on his work bench and the promoter followed, watching him narrowly for the effect
 wen. t might be some time and then again. 1t might not" he said. 'T Was thinking at dinner I'd like to own that burner and made out a little bill of sale, and, says to my De1f, If Graham will take i've hun dred dollars for that thing says I. m give 1t to Rim. spot cash. right
 .-Five, hundred dollars!" repeated old Sam. reverently. and with an ad- mifing look at the model which had rongunnAd so much of his time and
 Burnhsm was quick to press his ad- vaptase. 4ssYes-6ve hundred-cash.', he said, dr2wing . bundle of bank notes from ki8 .ins1de pocket and holding them under the poor old fellows gaze. q gueos you don't know 1t yet, but I heard at the bank that they wasn't Uoin0 to extend the time on that note Df youro. and thought thfD five hun dred would como in handy and wanted to help you out
 He slapped 31lb palm with, the packet Of money and Guailed at 0taham, just as 3h6 cat prob6bly smiles at the canery when lunch is announced.
 plr," said Graham. ''Everybody's be- Ing good to me today-or else I'm
 '.f1en it's a barsain?'' asked Burn hazs eage<1y thruGting the money and the 6m q sale toward the druggist. thins U it. Nr. Burnham." he began. when the pron0uncing of the promo fers name brought back to Nat's memory another link in the chain he had been strugglfng for.
 He came out from behind the show - r
 'sEIold on . minute. 1fr. Graham!" re6jbr ete fxh1n crnd1 ,c1ff'
 .Ies. 1t h. said sam 'Tt's this .'sWell. [ wouldn't sell 1t just yet if Is9efe you,s continued Nat.
 usnham tlrneG On hin in . rage. xof <. hs deshszndsd S zH Ps 'n'
 Bscense I'm a business man., re- toft66 Nat. If you don't believe it,
 :.ife G shs, . perfect right to. MT. Burnham." said Graham, mildly, .she
 rss prcmoter @ xaared at Nat and teok . hasty turn up and down the store, srn4cking his hands together behind his. back.
 Ton haven't got any objections to l1e demanded.
 .ssOh, no.' said Nat, sweetly, ssbut I want to look into 1t q little first I. have m idea you wouldn't offer i've hundred dollars for this burner unless you expected to make something out cf it, and |, think it ought to be woffh as much to MT. Graham as it ls 10 you"
 Hrnham showed his roll of money back into his pocket and turned away
 s.xh. you don't k1iow what you're talhing aboutsr he enappeds .ss-.sJ .ThAf'e right" eaid Duncan, cheer fu1ly.. sT know done, but I happens 10 know that you're promoting a scheme for making gas from crude ou. ana you won't get this burner Henry Kellogg. about it."
 At the mention of Kellogg's name. Burnham started with surprise and looked at Nat with new curiosity
 You mean Kellogg of l.. J. Bart lett q Coz he demanded
 That's the man, siad Nat; blandly, -the new junior partner He's a par ticu1ar friend Of mine e''
 --Oh. well if you're representing Kellog1. I've got nothing more to ny" he said. aneffly "6hly cant see why the devil he sent you here!" I'm ashamed to tell you.' said Duncan. You'd better ask him. and he wUlked back toward the counter and resumed his work. Burnham glared at him few mo- ments h helpless rage and then turn ed to Graham my tip and don't do any business with | that fellow until you find out who With which parting shot he flung l hinS1R out of the store. leaving poor l
  Eve hundred dollars that had almost l been in 3lis fingers seemed to be gone forever and he still had his gas burner Nat went close and put a hand on hiR shoulder. sM4- II 'All that may have sounded queer Q you he sald, ''but I'm not here to 1 beat you out of your invention" The old man turned and took both of bis hands warmly. t.sIhere's nothing on earth, my boy. l kh6t- could make me think you are," he sa36 tsBQt that five hundred dol- l6rS would have paid you for takifnEsj np m$ uote-and could have bought I Betty dres for the party. But I'm | pure you have done what. is the best "J he added, turning away to greet Betty | who came hurrying in.
 . Father, Mir. Lockwood wants to | see you over at the bank" she said. stOh, yes, he's got. that note for | V0u." explained Nat. < 'sHe was in I hore q few minutes and spoke about ''Oh, that note.'' murmured the old | druggist. getting his hat from the corner of the gas-burner. 'sI1l go tfght over there. never had so | many things happen to me in one day | keGore in all my life.'' W43en he was gone Nat watched | Betty for few minutes as she toiI- "a 0n tho floor with scrubbing brush | md paiE trying to clean in front of | Ihsn he dived into his pocket.