The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-08-27
CHAPTER xx.-contlnued.

have returned to New York"
"0h. see. OF course. Um-um! BY
the way, / think the colonel is cork
er. One OF the most amiable thorough
breds I've ever come across. Ripping.
He's never said anything to me about
your antipathy toward him, but can
see with half an eye that he is terribly
depressed about IT, Can't you get To-
gether some way on"
Really, Mr.. Wrandall, you are en-
couraging your imagination to a point
where words ultimately must fail you"
she said very positively. Booth could
hardly repress a chuckle.
IT'S not imagination on my part"
said Leslie with conviction, falling ut
terly to recognize the obvious. Il sup
pose you know that he is coming over
20 visit me for six weeks or so. We be-
came rattling good friends before we
parted. My Jove, you should hear him
on old Lord Murgatroyd's will! The
quntessence OF wit! couldn't take II
as he does. Expectations and all that
sort of thing, you know, going up like
hot air balloon and bursting in plain
view. But he never squeaked. Laughed
II off, A British attribute, dare say.
suppose you know that he is obliged
20 sell his estate in lreland?"
Hetty started. She could not con
ceal the look Of shame that leaped in
10 her eyes.
I'll did not know" she murmured.
Must be quite a shock to you. Sit
down, Brandy. You look very pictur-
esque standing, but chairs were made
70 sit upon-or in. whichever is proper.
Booth shrugged his shoulders.
Il think III stand. II you don't mind,
Les"
Il merely suggested It. old chap,
fearing you might have overlooked the
possibilities. Yes. Miss Castleton. he
left us in London to go up to Belfast
on this dismal business" There was
something In the back of his mind that
he was trying to get at in a tactful
manner. "By the way, is this property
entailed?"
Il know nothing at all about II, Mr..
Wrandall," said she, with a pleading
glance at her lover, as II to inquire
what stand she should take In this dis
tressing situation.
If II is entailed he can't sell II,
said Booth quietly.
That's true" said Leslie, some
what dubiously. Then, with mag
nanimity that covered multitude Of
doubts he added: "Of course, | am
only interested In seeing that you are
properly protected, Miss Castleton.
I've no doubt you bold an interest in
the estates"
Il can't very well discuss a thing |
know absolutely nothing about she
said succinctly.
Most of II is in building lots and
factories in Belfast, of course. 1t was
more in the nature of a question than
declaration. The old family castle
isn't very much of an asset, take It"
81 fancy you can trust Colonel Cas-
tleton to make the best possible deal
in the premises" said Booth drily.
Il suppose So" said the other re-
signedly. HE is a shrewd beggar, I'm
convinced OF that. Strange, however,
that haven't heard a word from him
since he left us in London. I've been
expecting cablegram from him every
day for nearly fortnight, letting me
know when to expect him"
Are you going to California this
winter for the nying?" asked Hetty.
Sara entered at that juncture, ant
they all sat down to listen for half al
hour to Leslie's harangue on the way
the California meet was being mis-
managed, at the end of which he de
parted.
He took Booth away with him. mucl
70 that young mans disgust.
do you know. Brandy, old fellow,
said he as they walked down Fifth ave
nue. In the gathering dusk of the earl.
winter evening, ever since I've begul
TO suspect that damned old humbug o
father of hers, I've been congratu
lating myself that there isn't the re
hottest chance of his ever becominl
my father-n-law. And, by George
youn never know how near was t,
leaping bindly into the brambles
What a close call had!"
Booths sarcastic smile was hlddel
by the dusk. He made no pretense o
openly resenting the meanness o
spirit that moved Leslie to these cad
dish remarks. He merely announce,
In a dry, cutting voice:
Il think Miss Castleton is to be con
graduated that her injury is no create
than nature made It in the beginning.
What do you mean by nature?'
Mature gave her father, didn'
it?"
Obviously"
well, why add insult to injury"
"By Jove! oh, say, old mani"
They parted at the next corner. A
Booth started to cross over to tn
Plaza, Leslie called out after him:
Il say, Brandy. just second, please
Are you going to marry Miss Castle
TOM"
81 am"
Then, retract the scurvy things
said back there. asked her to MARI
me three times and she refused m
three times. What | said about tn
brambes was rotten. I'd ask her agai
II | thought she's have me. There yo
are, old fellow. I'm a rotten cad, bl
apologize to you just the same"
You're learning, Leslie" said Boot
taking the hand the other held out
him.
Whine the painter was dining at h