Kellogg smiled secretly. "You mean you've won her already?" "Oh, there's nothing to it," said Duncan, shaking his head and meaning just the exact opposite of what his words conveyed, for of such is our modern slang. "Then you're engaged?" Kellogg had understood perfectly, you see. "No, not _yet_. I've got two months left--almost." "So you have. And since she's so strong for you, there's no hurry: let her take her time." "I only wish she would." Duncan removed one hand from the pocket the better to tug at his moustache. "It's got beyond that--to the point where I have to keep dodging her." "You don't mean it! That's splendid." Kellogg got up and slapped Nat's shoulder heartily. "But don't overdo the dodging. She might get her back up." "Not she. She'd eat out of my hand, if I'd let her. You don't understand." "What's the matter, then? Aren't you strong for her?" "I wish I were." "But why? Is there another----?" "No." Nat shook his head, honestly believing he was telling the truth. "Only ... I don't look at things the way I did once." "Just what do you mean by that?" Nat, squaring himself to face Kellogg, was very serious, now, and troubled. "See here, Harry," he said: "do you really want me to carry out the rest of the agreement?" "Most certainly I do. Why not?" "Because I'm pretty well fixed here. The business is making good--and so am I. It won't be long before I can pay you back, with interest, as we agreed, without having to marry that poor girl and ... and draw on her money to make good to you." "You want to go back on our agreement?" demanded Kellogg, with a show of disappointment and disgust. "Yes and no. I won't break faith with you, if you insist, but I'd give a lot if you'd let me off--let me pay back what you advanced and cry quits.... When you outlined this scheme I was down and three times out--willing to take a chance at anything, no matter how contemptible. Now... well, it's different." "Good heavens! You don't mean you'd be willing to _live_ here?" Nat smiled, but not mirthfully. "I don't know," he hesitated; "I'm afraid I'm beginning to like it." "You, Nat?" Kellogg's amazement was unfeigned. "You, ready to spend your life here slaving away in this measly store?" Duncan grunted indignantly. "Hold on, now. Don't you call this a measly store. There isn't a more complete drug-store in the State!" "Do you hear that?" Kellogg appealed vehemently to the universe at large. "Is it possible that this is Nat Duncan, the fellow who hated work so hard he couldn't earn a living?... Gad, I believe I've arrived just in time!" "In time for what?" "To 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."